Tequila production process

In the world, there are different types of alcoholic beverages. Each one of them posses its own flavor, essence, and a specific target. The most important difference is that there are certain beverages that due to its making process, are able to turn into an exclusive liquor just like tequila.

Many people ask themselves about what is the true difference between all the alcoholic beverages coming from the agave plant. Tequila its unique because of all the diverse processes used in its elaboration as well as the extraction methods.

Beverages coming from the agave plant:

1. Tequila. Besides having a different making process, its way more sophisticated. Its elaboration and extraction are gentle, and additionally, tequila possesses unique flavor notes due to its elaboration process and aging methods. Oak barrels are used to rest the tequila, depending on the final product you want to get.
2. Mezcal. It is another alcoholic beverage that even though comes from the agave plant, it is elaborated in a totally different way from tequila. In the making process of mezcal, the agave is cooked in stone ovens and the floor has stronger, muddy notes which are transferred to the beverage.
3. Pulque: This is a traditional Mexican beverage that is not actually distilled, but fermented. Apart from coming from a different agave plant, its production process has a lot of variations.

Tequila Processes

The tequila making process, different from other agave beverages, starts in the agave fields when the agave that will be "jimado" is selected. Then is transferred to the next transformation processes which are:

• · Grinding
• · Cooking
• · Fermentation
• · Distillation
• · Aging
• · Filtration
• · Dilution
• · Bottling

Does tequila come from a cactus?

Many tourists that arrive to Casa Sauza ask us for the cactus used in the tequila making process. Actually, in the making process of tequila we don't use cactus, but agave plants, which belong to the family of agaváceas and are completely different. On the other hand, there is one characteristic that they share and that is their capacity for saving water and pretty much being able to survive in any kind of climate.

For how long is an agave planted?

Despite the fact that the agave is a very noble plant because they don't really need a constant maintenance or watering, in Casa Sauza we like to keep all our agaves planted from 6 months to 1 year. During all this time, we take care of them and check them periodically, even though they can deal with all the climate changes.

Tequila possesses a different and more sophisticated process in its making and preparation process. This has caused that this Mexican traditional liquor has become a more exclusive beverage than the other ones coming from the agave plant. Nevertheless, tequila is a beverage that inevitably makes you think of Mexico and in the last years, it has increased its sales and exports worldwide.

I invite you to read the following articles about the tequila making process and schedule your vivist to our Casa Sauza facilities, you will have an amazing time and you would be able to watch this process with your own eyes, while enjoying the agave fields.

Tequila Making Process

Extraction Processes of the Agave Sugar