tequila 101

Tequila is made from a plant called agave. In fact, most species of agave are used to make Mezcal. Only one species of the agave plant is used to make Tequila, Agave Tequilana. This is the species that we refer to when we say Blue Weber Agave. So 100% Blue Agave (Agave Azul) on your tequila label means that your tequila is made completely from the plant that is used to make tequila. Yes you read that right, tequila labels only have to say 100% agave azul when it is completely made from tequila. Agave has seen a spike in the market that is commonly referred to as the “Clooney Effect” due to this rush in demand agave is a scarce resource. Thus, tequila can still be called tequila on a liquor label if it uses at least 51% agave azul, the other 49% can be whatever they want to use, colorings, additives and oftentimes a cheap sugar distillate similar to a very cheap rum product. This is why cheap tequila that does not say 100% agave azul is a product you should avoid. Buying Tequila made with 100% agave azul is like buying wine made with 100% grapes, it just makes sense.