Eight tequilas to try
TAHONA TEQUILAS 1 G4 Blanco
£38.95-£41.95/75cl Casa Agave, Cool Chile Co, Hedonism, Master of Malt, StarmoreBoss, The Whisky Exchange
Made by Felipe Camarena using his take on a tahona – a modified steamroller complete with studs – this expressive, floral, earthy tequila smells like Mexico in a glass. The oily, viscous palate boasts incredible minerality, with plenty of chalk and pebbles, cream, agave and spicy white pepper. Alcohol 40%
2 Roca Patrón Silver
£59.90/75cl The Whisky World
Patrón’s main line of expressions may include tequilas made with a blend of both tahona and roller mill, but its Roca range is made exclusively using tahona. The result is soft and approachable, with rich agave, earthy terracotta, mint, cinnamon and a warming heat. Alc 45%
3 San Matias Tahona Blanco
£58.95-£59.90/70cl Master of Malt, The Whisky World
Made in order to celebrate San Matias’ 130th anniversary, this shows initial sweet, earthy flavours that are overridden by a generous lick of sea salt. Juicy lime, aromatic jasmine and Victoria sponge cake
Guillermo Sauza (see p82)
notes mix with a sprinkling of baking soda on a viscous mouthfeel. Alc 38% 4 Tequila Fortaleza Still Strength Blanco £66.65-£68.99/70cl Distillers Direct, Hard to Find Whisky, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange
Made at the magical Fortaleza distillery, which uses the same equipment (save a few crucial replacements) that was in it when the Sauza family took it over. Preserved lemons, shiso leaves and Brazil nuts; bright, sappy palate with marshmallow sweetness and earthy sesame-seed brittle. Alc 46%
ROLLER MILL
5 El Tequileño Blanco
£18.25-£23/50cl DrinkWell, Gerry’s, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange
The agave may be sourced from the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, but this brand’s distillery is located in the valley, in Tequila town. You'll find a nose of tree sap, lime zest, raspberry and desiccated coconut, all also found on the palate, alongside marmalade and banana chips. Alc 38%
6 Vivir Blanco
£34.50-£45/70cl Casa Agave, Distillers Direct, Drink Finder, Fortnum & Mason, Inverurie Whisky Shop, Master of Malt, Spirits Kiosk, The Whisky Exchange, Waitrose
Contract-distilled at the Casa Maestri distillery, Vivir’s products are all made using roller mill. A nose of crystallised stem ginger, lemon and lime and syrup sponge lead to an agave-forward palate with fresh mint, angel cake and liquorice root. Alc 40% ROLLER MILL AND TAHONA MIXED 7 Olmeca Altos Plata
£27.50-£38.95/70cl Drinkmonger, Gerry’s, Soho Wine Supply, Tesco, The Whisky Exchange, Waitrose Developed in partnership with two leading bartenders by maestro tequilero Jesús Hernandez, who keeps the proportion of tahona liquid used in the blend a secret. Has a chalky palate with pretty white flowers, grass, agave, lemons, black pepper and a smattering of cocoa powder. Alc 38%
8 Volcan de mi Tierra Blanco
£43.45-£51.90/70cl Clos19, The Whisky Exchange, Urban Drinks
A new tequila to the market, Volcan incorporates agave from both the highlands and valley of Jalisco, each being separately distilled. Of the lowland tequila, 10% is crushed with the tahona. Velvety soft, this is easy drinking, with sweet agave flavours, menthol and eucalyptus. Alc 40% D