Tequila can only be called tequila if it is made from 100 percent Blue agave and produced in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, as well as some municipalities in Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. All other agave-based spirits are simply known as agave spirits or mescal. This means that all bottles labeled “tequila” must come from one of these areas in Mexico. Anything else made outside those states must be labeled as Mezcal.
What Sets Tequila Apart?
In addition to its geographical limitations and stringent regulations on production processes, there are a few other things that set tequila apart from other types of alcohol. For example, while most liquors are aged in oak barrels or steel tanks after they have been distilled, tequilas are aged exclusively in oak barrels or wooden casks which give them a distinct flavor profile not found in any other spirit. Additionally, the aging process for tequilas must take place within certain time frames depending on the type—for example blanco (white) or joven (young) must be bottled immediately after distillation while reposado (aged) must spend at least two months in oak barrels before being bottled.