When buying or ordering tequila, many people don’t know the difference between brands, ingredients, or the meaning of “gold”, “silver”, or “platinum”. While most people think they will find higher quality liquor in choosing a “Gold” tequila, that’s not always the case.
For starters, for an alcohol to be labeled as Tequila, it must be a product of Mexico, and will be made of anywhere from half to 100% Agave plant. While this percentage contributes to the quality of tequila, the way it is distilled and more importantly the amount of time it is aged really determines its quality.
The Colors…
The designation of gold, silver, or similar labeling has to do with how it is distilled. Silver tequilas are aged in steel barrels, therefore the liquid does not change color, and after a generally short distillation period it is bottled and sold. This product is popularly sold as Jose Cuervo Silver, Sauza Blanco, Hornitos Plata, and so on. ‘Gold’ tequilas on the other hand, can gain their coloration a few different ways. More expensive tequilas will more often indicate higher quality, but not always. Quality gold tequilas gain their gold coloration from being distilled in Oak barrels before bottling. Other ‘Gold’ tequilas may or may not be distilled in Oak barrels, but have added caramel coloring to imitate quality, aged Tequila. These cheaper Gold tequilas are generally not aged longer than any silver/ plata tequilas, but simply have added artificial colorants. This includes one of the most popular- Jose Cuervo Gold.
So next time you go to buy tequila, read the label (sometimes in will indicate the percentage from the agave plant, how long it is distilled, etc.), or a bartender can often recommend the best quality shot or bang for your buck- it often simply resides in the well! When I’m on a budget, I always opt for a Silver Tequila, because you can rest assured it likely doesn’t have any added artificial colorants or ingredients .
Ariba, Abajo, al centro!
I have always been a huge tequila fan, but never quite knew the difference in quality. I hear that the darker stuff usually gives you a wost hangover because of the additives.
“Quality gold tequilas gain their gold coloration from being distilled in Oak barrels before bottling.”
It’s not that they’re distilled in oak barrels, it’s that they’re aged in oak after distillation. Reposados are aged in wood for 3-12 months. Anejos are aged for a year to three years, and “super-Anejos” for at least three years.