New Year's cap pencil drawing. How to draw a Santa Claus hat with a pencil step by step

There is probably no person who has not heard of such an elite drink as tequila. As a rule, it is drunk in tandem with salt and lemon; the taste is sharp and unique.

Every day this type of alcohol is gaining more and more popularity all over the world and the number of alcohol markets that provide products of a wide variety of elite brands is increasing. The abundance is impressive, so the logical question follows: how to choose a decent drink and not make a mistake? We will talk about this in this article and try to suggest what is the best option for a simple holiday, and what for a gift.

What is tequila?

The production of this drink is concentrated only in Mexico. A good tequila should be labeled as "100% agave". This is a sign of quality alcohol. Today, tequila brands are presented in such a wide range that even the most competent buyer does not know their entire list. IN this fact there are both advantages and disadvantages. Variety, of course, comes to the rescue of every person who wants to choose directly the tequila that best suits his preferences. But, you must admit, there is nothing harder than deciding on tequila popular brands and not make a mistake in choosing.

Tequila is considered an elite drink. And the point is not that it is more expensive than some “simple” alcoholic drinks - it means prosperity and success. There are now about 500 species available, so there is plenty to choose from.

Tequila - brands that have earned respect

Today's producers of famous brands are the heirs of Spanish emigrants who began producing the drink in the 16th century. Few people who have tried this fiery mixture do not think about which brand is better.

The creators of the Mexican drink, taking advantage of the growing fame of tequila, strive to please consumers with all their might. We present to your attention the best tequila, the brands and prices of which you will see below.

Ley 925 Azteca

This is the best tequila in the world. Despite the amazing taste, the significant price is also due to the rich bottle; it is also sold empty for a huge amount. The fact is that it is made of platinum and gold (white). Its price is $225,000. For a bottle decorated with diamonds you need to pay only $1,500,000. This is the most expensive tequila in the world and a true collector's dream.

Asombroso Del Porto

Not everyone can choose this tequila, which is characterized by softness; its price is very high ($2800). This type The drink arose due to the fact that the creator of elite tequila wanted to try to infuse it in barrels. He placed the eleven-year-old liquid in barrels purchased from one of the best wineries, and the result was a soft and very tasty drink.

Barrique Ponciano Porfidio

This type of tequila is a unique creation of art that connoisseurs of alcohol dream of experiencing. It is infused for a year in barrels. You can taste it in Japan. The price per bottle is $2000.

1800 Coleccion

The production of tequila brand 1800 Coleccion is personified by Luis Yerenas, he works for the famous Jos Cuervo. This is unusual. It is aged in French oak barrels, as a result of which the liquid receives an unusual aroma and taste. Price - $1800.

Clase Extra Anejo

If you are wondering which brands of tequila are the best, you should try this drink itself. True, if you can find him. Only 100 bottles are produced per year. It has a unique taste and blood-red color. The drink is infused for two years in sherry barrels, resulting in an exquisite aroma. The price per bottle is $1,700.

Rey Solanejo

This tequila is amazing because it has a caramel-vanilla flavor with a spicy note. It has a unique aroma. Aged in barrels for five years. The bottle design created by famous artist Sergio Bustamante. The Rey Solanejo costs approximately $400.

Tres Cuatro Cinco

Tres Cuatro Cinco brand tequila is made in Jalisco. The production has been owned by one family for several years now, which came up with a special recipe and keeps it secret. But we only know that the drink is aged for 5, 4 and 3 years. Price: approximately $390.

Casa Herradura Seleccion Suprema

Casa Herradura brand tequila is recognized in many countries. The texture of the drink is oily, the color is amber-yellow. If you are concerned about which tequila to choose as a gift, then Casa Herradura is one of the best types drink The bottle costs $360.

Don Julio Real

The oldest premium tequila brand. A bottle with a large neck is a premium sign; other brands borrowed this shape, in fact, from Don Giulio. IN currently price per bottle - $350.

Gran Patron Platinum

This tequila appeals not only to ordinary consumers, but also to experienced tasters. It is soft and buttery in texture. The taste of citrus is clearly felt. Price per bottle is $250.

The strong Mexican drink tequila has firmly won the sympathy of lovers of extraordinary alcohol all over the world. At the same time, the average tequila consumer, finding himself in a specialized store whose assortment goes far beyond the scope of ordinary supermarkets, will not always be able to determine what exactly is on the shelf in front of him. Therefore, we suggest, together with Shake It Up, to understand the classification of tequila.

Differences in composition

The simplest and most obvious is the typology of tequila, based on the amount of Blue Agave distillate contained in the drink. In this case, we are dealing with only two of its varieties.

Differences in aging time

The technology for producing the famous drink in many cases includes aging it in special barrels. These barrels are made from American, less often from French oak. Some drink producers especially value containers that previously contained wine, cognac, whiskey or bourbon. True, there is another extreme. To avoid excessive evaporation of the distillate, resourceful tequileiros may use wooden barrels only during the first stage of aging; after which future elite drinks are transferred to unassuming stainless steel containers.

Based on the quality associated with the aging factor or lack thereof, tequila can be divided into 6 categories.

– silver tequila. A poor, unaged drink of the Mixto type, which, as a rule, contains flavorings, and the share of third-party alcohols usually reaches 49%. As an exception to the rule, experts point to the “Legenda del Milagro Silver” brand, which looks very decent compared to its peers.

Tequila Gold (Oro, Joven)– golden or young tequila. This variety also includes uncasked Mixto drinks. The lack of aging is conditionally compensated for by the presence of the above-mentioned dyes, the amount of which should not exceed 1% of the total volume of liquid. The most acceptable representative of this category, in our opinion, is the well-known “Sauza Gold”.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. As they say knowledgeable people, under the name “Gold” a blend consisting of unaged 100% agave and a small amount of aged agave distillate can sometimes be sold.

Tequila Blanco (White, Plata, Platinum)– white or platinum tequila. The most beloved drink by Mexicans, it has no color, but retains the original taste of agave distillate. This tequila, in most cases, is not aged and, like all subsequent varieties, is 100% agave. At the same time, to this class This also includes drinks that have been in barrels and whose aging does not exceed two months. The best in this category are: “Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata” and “Chinaco Blanco”.

Attention! When choosing tequila of the mentioned variety, you must carefully study the label. Often “silver” drinks are labeled “blanco”, and sometimes vice versa. In this case, the determining criterion is the presence or absence of the “100% de agave” mark.

– rested tequila. A drink aged in barrels from two months to one year. Rested tequila has a naturally achieved golden color and a relatively soft, balanced taste. The leaders in this class of drinks are: “Herradura Reposado” and “Cabo Wabo”.

– aged tequila or aged tequila. A venerable elite alcohol whose aging period ranges between one and three years. It has a rich amber color, a soft deep taste and a rich aftertaste. According to Mexican law, for the production of this type of tequila, barrels whose volume does not exceed the six hundred liter limit must be used. Examples of such privileged drinks include: “Doña Celia Anejo”, “Villa Lobos Anejo” and “Casa Noble Anejo”, although the list of worthy representatives of this category is far from exhausted by these brands.

- extra aged tequila. The variety appeared at the end of 2005, thanks to a decree of the Mexican National Committee for Standardization. This category includes collectible drinks with an aging period exceeding three years. As in the previous case, the volume of barrels should not exceed the six-hundred-liter barrier. Some masters add a peculiar twist to their alcoholic masterpieces in the form of adding a certain amount of more mature alcohols to a four or five year old base. Drinks of the Extra Añejo type are characterized by a deep golden color with a reddish tint, an indescribable taste and aromatic range, as well as a long, multifaceted aftertaste.

So, when choosing tequila, you should adhere to three basic principles:

1. Take only 100% agave.
2. Not all that glitters is gold (and, well, silver).
3. A long aging period may turn out to be a fiction.

Anyone who wants to try tequila is usually interested in the question of its variety. Thanks to this material, you will learn what types of tequila are based on the aging period and the content of agave juice. Mexicans decided not to complicate their lives and officially use only one classification. This is what we will consider first.

According to the standards of the Mexican government, tequila is divided into the following types (varieties) according to the aging period:

Plata (blanca) “silver” is a colorless tequila, the aging period of which does not exceed two months. It is bottled almost immediately after the distillation process is completed. The drink has a sharp taste, but local connoisseurs prefer this type of tequila.

To soften the taste a little, some producers age “silver” tequila in oak barrels for 30-60 days. The most famous brands of this type are “El Tesoro Silver”, “Chinaco Blanco” and “Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata”.

Gold – to receive external resemblance With aged tequila, in the production of “golden” tequila, special dyes (oak essence) and flavorings (caramel, vanilla) are used, which slightly soften the taste; additives cannot exceed 1% of the weight.

Reposado (“rested”) - the aging period of the drink in oak barrels is from 2 to 12 months (usually about a year), due to which tequila develops its own unique taste. The most popular brands of this species are “Cabo Wabo” and “Herradura Reposado”.

Añejo (aged”) - before bottling, tequila is infused in barrels for 1-3 years; this type is considered the best in terms of price and quality ratio.

Extra añejo (“extra aged”) – this is the designation for tequila that has been in barrels for more than 3 years. These drinks claim elite status, and they cost accordingly. Their labels are usually marked "Reserva de casa" or "Tipo". The most famous brand of this type is “El Patron Añejo”.

Types of tequila based on the content of agave juice in the drink:

Tequila 100% Agave (premium) – contains 100% blue agave juice. This type can only be bottled within regions where tequila production is permitted. The label must contain the inscription “100% puro de agave” or simply “agave”.

Mixta (standard) – drinks made by mixing (blend) alcohols from different plants. But in any case, 51% of the alcohol should be obtained from blue agave juice, the rest from cane or corn syrup. Each manufacturer has its own recipe, single standard for this type of tequila is not provided. Such drinks contain the inscription “Tequila” on their label.