Mexico/Jalisco: Tequila – Jose Cuervo Distillery
Jose Cuervo is the number one tequila in the world, still family owned and produced in Tequila at the La Rojena distillery literally in the heart of town, right next to the main central square and cathedral. Don José Antonio de Cuervo founded the distillery here in 1812 (it’s the oldest distillery in Latin America) and named the tequila after himself – Jose Cuervo. The tour of La Rojena is extensive and nearly two hours long with the tasting. You get to see all the original production equipment, a large estate with gardens and sculptures, a car collection, before finally retreating to a tasting room where an elaborate tasting process begins. You taste 100% blue agave tequilas – blanco (unseasoned), reposado (6 months seasoned), and anejo (over 3 years seasoned). The tasting is done with flute glasses (apparently proper way of tasting) and 6 different steps for each tequila – smell, tequila only, and tequila following chewing on caramelized agave, chili pepper, cinnamon bark, and coffee been a – to get the full gamut of flavor sensation. Absolutely a must do! Shame that some tourists come to the town of Tequila, taste some generic stuff at one of the shops on the main square and leave, thinking they have visited Tequila.
