Learn how to become a tequila aficionado

You say the word tequila and some people cringe with horror or they have memories of times gone by that are best left alone.

Those years are behind us and now you can sip the 100% Blue Agave treat with a sophisticated glare.

Here is a quick guide to the treasure of tequila tasting according to Herradura Tequila:

Choose Appropriate Glassware
To best enjoy the aroma, taste, color, body and intensity of tequila, serve approximately 1 oz of the spirit in a snifter glass. A snifter is a short-stemmed glass with a wide bottom that narrows slightly at the top. The wide bottom helps evaporate the tequila aroma, while the narrowness helps keep it in the glass for ultimate enjoyment.

See
Look at the color of the tequila in the glass — preferably against a white background or held up to a light. Swirl and notice the legs or tears spiraling down the glass. This can tell you a lot about its character. More rested tequilas will show more body.

Smell
A first quick whiff will give you floral notes. Then a deep sniff from the center will reveal a different bouquet. This is a sneak preview of the taste — as much of what you taste corresponds to what you smell.

Sip
Take a small sip of the tequila first to get used to the alcohol taste. Then a second sip and keep it in your mouth. Breathe in through your mouth and exhale through your nose to perceive the aromas. Swirl the third sip inside your mouth and you’ll experience more of the taste. Notice both the flavor of the spirit, as well as how it feels in your mouth. Think of flavor cues (e.g., fruity, spicy) and texture descriptions (e.g., smooth, oily).

Savor
Enjoy and assess the flavor that lingers after swallowing the tequila. Some finish crisp and dry, others long and sweet.

Take some notes
Record your thoughts about color, nose, body and finish. Once you’ve gone through this process with every expression, add a splash of water to each glass to see how it changes your perceptions.

Also, here is a handy little guide that you use to distinguish between the golden nectars of Herradura Tequila:

Herradura Blanco

Aged in American white oak barrels for 45 days Color: Light Straw
Aroma: Classic cooked agave with hints of vanilla fruit and anise
Taste: Smooth, sweet and cooked agave with a hint of oak
Finish: Smooth, clean and warming

Herradura Reposado
Aged for 11 months in American white oak barrels, five times the norm
Color: Copper Aroma: Cooked agave with hints of anise, fruit and cinnamon
Taste: Smooth with sweet cooked agave notes; slight vanilla butter and dried fruit
Finish: Smooth, sweet with hints of cinnamon

Herradura Añejo
Aged for 2 years in American white oak barrels, double the average
Color: Dark copper Aroma: Intense cooked agave and spice notes; toasted oak with nutty notes
Taste: Smooth with cooked agave and dried fruit notes; toasted oak
Finish: Smooth, sweet and slightly spicy

Selección Suprema
Superior tequila aged for forty-nine months in American white oak barrels
Color: Very dark copper
Aroma: Intense cooked agave, cinnamon and floral notes
Taste: Complex balance of cooked agave, rich vanilla, toasted oak and dried fruit
Finish: Creamy and soft with a long after taste

Hopefully all this useful information will help you become a tequila aficionado at your next function or maybe you can use it to impress your friends. Any which way, remember to sip in moderation!