Making & Tasting Tequila

Knowledge Distilled

How is tequila made? And what’s the importance of staying additive-free? Learn about the Patrón process, the differences between our pure agave tequilas and the correct way to do a tasting.

Perfection is in the process

It starts in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico and ends with the finest tequila in the world.

  • Agave field with mountains in the background.

    Step 1

    Our Commitment

    Premium tequila starts with the commitment to natural production – a slow, deliberate process needed to develop the best flavor.

  • Two workers in cowboy hats harvesting agave in the agave field.

    Step 2

    Harvesting agave

    Jimadors harvest only the finest 100% Weber Blue Agave with the highest sugar content, achieved after about seven years of growth.

  • Close up of chopped agave plants.

    Step 3

    Chopping & baking

    The pure agave is transported to our distillery, Hacienda Patrón, where it is hand-chopped and then baked in small brick ovens for over 70 hours.

  • Close up of baked agave being crushed by a large stone.

    Step 4

    Crushing baked agave

    Then, to release the juices from the baked agave, it’s crushed using two different methods - the modern roller mill and an ancient tahona stone - creating the Patrón house style.

  • Large vat of agave juice in a factory.

    Step 5

    Fermentation

    The pure agave juice from the roller mill, and the pure agave juice and fiber from the tahona are fermented separately for three days – this part of the process converts the sugars into alcohol.

  • Multiple copper pots in a factory.

    Step 6

    Distillation

    The fermented mixture, referred to as mosto, is then distilled in small-batch copper pot stills designed by original Master Distiller Francisco Alcaraz, giving the pure agave tequila its signature smooth profile.

  • Close up of brown aged barrel labeled “Tequila Patron”.

    Step 7

    Resting & aging

    After distillation, Patrón Silver is ready for bottling. To create our aged varieties, Patrón Silver is aged in American Bourbon barrels, then blended to create Patrón Reposado, Patrón Añejo and Patrón Extra Añejo tequilas.

  • Close up of Patrón Silver bottle.

    Step 8

    Bottling & labeling

    Every bottle is hand packaged by the bottling team, who also ensure the final product is nothing short of perfection. Over 60 hands will touch and inspect every bottle before it leaves the distillery.

    • The age of perfection

    Get to know the differences between tequila varieties.

    Patrón Silver bottle.

    Silver

    Learn more
    Patrón Reposado bottle.

    Reposado

    Learn more
    Patrón Añejo bottle.

    Añejo

    Learn more
    Patrón Extra Añejo bottle.

    Extra Añejo

    Learn more

    Taste tequila the right way

    A premium, additive-free spirit like Patrón was meant to be savored with every sip. Watch the videos below to learn the techniques for a proper tasting.

    • Prep for the tasting Play Video

      Step 1 of 6

      Prep for the tasting

      Unbeknownst to many, there is glassware specifically made to taste tequila (and it’s not a shot glass). Tequila flutes resemble champagne glasses but are shorter with a narrower opening.  This type of glass retains the aromas at the top of the glass, ideal for nosing.

      Play Video
    • Determine the body of the tequila Play Video

      Step 2 of 6

      Determine the body of the tequila

      Tip the glass to its side and then upright, to reveal the descending “legs”.  The time it takes for the liquid to move down the glass reveals the body of the tequila. The slower the legs move, the more body the tequila has.

      Play Video
    • Acknowledge the aroma Play Video

      Step 3 of 6

      Acknowledge the aroma

      Swirl the tequila around the glass to release the aromas, then nose the tequila from the sweet spot, just above the top of the flute.

      Play Video
    • Take the first taste Play Video

      Step 4 of 6

      Take the first taste

      Take a small first sip to condition your palate and rinse with water.

      Play Video
    • Take the second taste Play Video

      Step 5 of 6

      Take the second taste

      Then take a sip, drawing air over your palate before you swallow. Exhale through your nose after swallowing so your full palate (smell and taste) is utilized.

      Play Video
    • Savor the finish Play Video

      Step 6 of 6

      Savor the finish

      Once you’ve swallowed the tequila, note the flavors and textures that stick with you. This part of the process will leave you with an overall picture or “image” of the tequila you’ve just tasted.

      Play Video

    Are you a Tequila Master?

    Test your tequila knowledge

    Take the quiz

    Are you a Tequila Master?

    To qualify as “aged”, tequila must be in the barrels for at least:

    Correct

    According to the CRT, to qualify as reposado tequila, the spirit must be aged for at least two months, and not more than 11 months.

    Nice try

    According to the CRT, to qualify as reposado tequila, the spirit must be aged for at least two months, and not more than 11 months.

    What’s the name of the glassware used for a tequila tasting?

    You got it

    The proper glassware for sipping tequila is a flute because it retains the aromas at the top of the glass, ideal for nosing.

    Not quite

    The proper glassware for sipping tequila is a flute because it retains the aromas at the top of the glass, ideal for nosing.

    Which step comes first in a proper tequila tasting?

    Way to go

    The first step in a tequila tasting is to inspect the liquids’ color and clarity, along with the viscosity by examining the legs.

    Incorrect

    The first step in a tequila tasting is to inspect the liquids’ color and clarity, along with the viscosity by examining the legs.

    How many years until Weber Blue Agave is ready to harvest?

    Nice one

    Agave’s sugar content is optimal and generally ready for harvest at around the seven year mark.

    False

    Agave’s sugar content is optimal and generally ready for harvest at around the seven year mark.

    When tasting tequila, you should never swallow the spirit.

    Good answer

    A tequila tasting should be enjoyed in every way possible, including drinking the spirit.

    Wrong answer

    A tequila tasting should be enjoyed in every way possible, including drinking the spirit.

    1 /

    Are you a Tequila Master?

    Looks like you are a

    Looks like you are a

    Tequila Master

    When it comes to tequila knowledge, you’re wise beyond the years of a fine añejo. We can probably catch you behind the bar perfecting your latest cocktail recipe or booking plane tickets to visit the hills of Jalisco to admire agave.

    Share with friends

    Tequila Taster

    Congratulations, you’re sharp as a coa when it comes to tequila! You know the difference between Silver, Reposado, and Añejo and could order like a pro at the bar, but we wouldn’t catch you casually bringing up the tahona wheel in conversation. Cheers!

    Share with friends

    Casual Sipper

    You’ve had tequila, you’ve enjoyed tequila, but that’s about where your knowledge of the spirit stops. Not a problem though, the world of Patrón is full of fun facts waiting for you to drink them all in. Start by going beyond the margarita to expand your palate.

    Share with friends
    Try again

    How To Tell if Your Tequila Has Artificial Substances

    Hint: Patrón is additive-free and never uses artificial substances.

  • Step 1

    Pour a few drops of tequila onto the palm of your hand.

  • Step 2

    Rub your hands together.

  • Step 3

    Wait five seconds.

  • Signs There Are No Artificial Substances

    Hands feel smooth and dry.

    Strong scent of earthy, spicy and peppery agave aromas.

  • Signs There Are Artificial Substances

    Hands feel sticky.

    Smells of sweet vanilla, cake batter, cotton candy and fake fruit aromas.

    Take a deeper dive.

    • It’s time to get to know your tequila

    There are

    0

    Tequila brands

    Produced by

    0

    Tequila distilleries

    Of those,
    only

    0

    Distilleries are dedicated to a single brand

    Just

    0

    Of these distilleries use the time-honored tahona method

    But only

    1

    Distillery is perfect enough to produce Patrón Tequila

    It all adds up to knowing your NOM

    Each bottle of tequila has a four-digit number that corresponds to the producer it came from. Many brands share NOM numbers, which means they might share the same process as well, but at Hacienda Patrón, we are dedicated to only producing Patrón.

    NOM 1492
    Know your NOM

    Data current as of

    The information included is dynamically pulled from Tequila Matchmaker to reflect the current industry landscape. Numbers represent live tequila brands and distilleries.

    Academia Patrón

    A class of
    its own

    Take the online course to get a thorough understanding of the process and products that make Patrón so unique.

    Request Access

    Put the craft in cocktails

    From muddling to dry shaking, learn the tricks of the trade from our Pro Tips video series.

    Watch videos

    THE PERFECT WAY TO ENJOY PATRÓN IS RESPONSIBLY.
    ©2024. PATRÓN, ITS TRADE DRESS AND THE BEE LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS.
    HANDCRAFTED IN MEXICO.

    ONLY SHARE WITH THOSE OF LEGAL DRINKING AGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALCOHOL RESPONSIBILITY VISIT RESPONSIBLEDRINKING.ORG AND RESPONSIBILITY.ORG.