Tequila tasting is similar to wine tasting for its systematic approach, which consists of analyzing

1. the color,

2. the aromas and

3. the flavor.

1. Let’s start with the color.

The color of a tequila can be somewhat misleading, and it's best to have many tequilas with different classes and brands to do a comparison.

White, silvery white or faint yellow colors may refer to a blanco tequila. ​Blanco tequila gets its white color from the distillation which removes all coloring components.

Other tequila classifications like gold, reposado, añejo or extra añejo can get their color from the combination of oak barrel, oak extract or caramel coloring. Lighter colors usually mean less aging, less additives or older barrels with less coloring components.

2. The next part refers to the aromas.

When it comes to the aromas of the tequila, it is important to identify if a tequila is balanced. It is best to hold the glass in a 45 degrees or even lower angle, so that the aromas are further captured and concentrated for our nose.

When we first take a smell of the tequila, let’s take note is it a more neutral, but unpleasant alcoholic smell that dominates, or the alcoholic particles are nicely balanced out with the tequila’s aromatic components. As you can see, there is no such thing as a good or bad tequila, there is balanced and “alcoholic” tequila. Then there are several ways to continue from here.

A good exercise is to go from the top and move your nose around the rim clockwise ​and note the aromas. You may find different aromas from 12 to 3 o’clock, then from 3 to 6, from 6 to 9 and finally from 9 to 12. These aromas can be quite complex and the best tequilas may have hundreds of different ones in a tequila.

3. The next step is probably the most enjoyable one, we finally get to taste the tequila!

Now, before we just rush in, there are a few things that are worth mentioning. Tequila has a lot higher alcohol content compared to other drinks like wine or beer. Also, a traditional tequila is a lot more complex than other spirits so it may be challenging to novice drinkers.

It is recommended to take smaller portions several times, rather than doing a large sip as there are several tequilas that open up to our palate over time by repeatedly sipping them. Taking a breath before the sip and breathing out after it can further improve the experience. If you have a selection of tequilas, it is great to compare them to each other. Doing blind tastings can also be a fun way to improve our learning exercise

So what kinds of aromas to look for in a tequila?

All tequilas can develop a wide variety of aromas primarily ​spicy, floral, fruity and herbal.

Blanco tequilas may have a peppery, minty, pepperminty aroma coupled with herbal or fruity and occasionally floral notes.

Aged tequilas start from a blanco tequila, so the flavors of the blanco is coupled with tasting notes of caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, coffee, chocolate, almond and similar.

Don’t worry if you don’t find some or even most of the earlier tasting notes as not all tequilas are complex.

Yet, some tequilas are so complex that they can have a lot more notes than listed on the previous page.

Remember, tasting tequila is a personal experience and by tasting as many tequilas as you can, you can improve your palate and find your personal favorites.