Tequila Black 38 | Tequila Chocolate Cream Liqueur | Notes of Cocoa and Vanilla | 70cl | 17% vol. | Destilerias Espronceda

Product Information

Our panel – made up of 10-accredited spirits experts and tequila-loving consumers – put 27 blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas to the test. Reposado tequila is aged in American or European oak barrels for between 2 months and a year. These tequilas have a matured smoky flavour and are stronger compared to Blanco expressions. We’ve also included details of the NOM, which is a four-digit number found on every bottle. This gives us visibility of the producer, so you can see just how many brands they’re responsible for — because can you really claim to be an artisanal tequila with hundreds of brands under the same roof? Not on our watch. What are the different types of tequila?

Unlike some wines, with their complex classification systems, tequila is simply categorised by age as follows: Blanco Like champagne, tequila production is a closely guarded secret and must be made and bottled within a specific area in Mexico. It can only be made from blue agave (unlike smoky mezcal which can be created from over 30 different varieties). The ELLE Lab is made up of a panel of 10 WSET-certified (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) experts and consumers. They sipped (no shots here!) their way through 40 blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas. Each was tried neat, before being diluted with a touch of water, which allows the alcohol to soften, bringing out more flavour. They were looking for bright, bold examples, with exceptional complexity.The acidity of the sauvignon blanc in this recipe helps balance out the sweetness of the agave syrup. Start by mixing 25ml each of agave syrup and sauvignon blanc in a small jug until it is a consistent liquid. Then add to a tall glass with 50ml blanco tequila and 25ml freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice (equal measures of each). Top up with soda water or bitter lemon and ice cubes, and stir. It’s almost a cross between a spritz and a margarita – very refreshing on a nice day. Lot lizard Each year, over 300 million agave plants are harvested and pressed to make this fine spirit. Tequila has a highly distinct taste which can be described as ‘mature’. It takes more than a decade for the agave plant to mature and reflect its soil and surroundings.

To make the batanga, add 30ml blanco tequila (100% agave), 30ml fino sherry, 10ml salted raspberry syrup and bitters (if using) to a highball glass and stir to mix. Add cubed ice, stir, then add more ice until it reaches the top of the glass. Add chilled Coca-Cola and garnish with a big wedge of lime. Mangarita Also known as silver Tequila, Blanco is the youngest of the spirit types. It is usually not aged, or aged for a very short period. To calculate the average price, we add up the cheapest daily prices of the last 90 days and divide by 90.Each has different characteristics, ranging from the fresh and citrusy (there’s a reason you shot with lime and salt), to the more complex styles that display caramel and oak. Broadly speaking, blanco is for shots, anejo is strictly for sipping (like you would with whisky), and reposado is a good option for either. How we test tequila Aged in American or European oak barrels for at least a year, Anejo Tequilas are best for sipping neat. These are an excellent alternative to brown spirits such as whisky.