Production Process

About

What Is Tequila?

Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the Weber blue agave plant. Tequila is a popular spirit used in many different cocktails, like the Margarita, Paloma, and the Tequila Sunrise. The Mexican government decrees that tequila is only allowed to be produced in Mexico, and only in certain designated regions, including: Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas

Tequila is made from the Weber blue agave plant, or agave tequilana, which is a large succulent with long, spiked leaves similar to aloe vera. Within the core of the blue agave plant is a bulb called the piña. This bulb is baked and juiced, and the juice is fermented with yeast in barrels to make tequila.

process

How Is Tequila Made?

Tequila production can be broken into six stages: harvesting, baking, juicing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. Here is more information about each one of these steps:

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Step 1 Harvest the agave
Modern tequila production begins with the traditional method of harvesting the blue agave plant. A special knife called a coa is used to cut the leaves on the agave plant away from the underground piña bulb.
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Step 1 Harvest the agave
Step 2 Bake the agave core, or the piña
The piña bulb must be baked in order to extract its fermentable sugars. Traditionally, piñas were baked in pits lined with rocks, but today, they’re baked in either clay and brick ovens called hornos, or large stainless steel ovens.
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Step 2 Bake the agave core, or the piña
Step 3 Shred the piña and extract the agave juice
After the piñas are baked, they are crushed and shredded to extract the sweet juice inside, which is called mosto. Mosto is extracted in one of two ways: by using an industrial mechanical shredder (the most common modern way), or by the traditional method of using a tahoma, a large stone wheel that crushes and juices the piña.
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Step 3 Shred the piña and extract the agave juice
Step 4 Ferment the agave juice, or mosto
Next, the mosto must ferment into ethyl alcohol in order to become a spirit. The mosto is combined with yeast and water in large fermentation tanks. This process uses either large stainless steel tanks, or large wooden barrels.
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Step 4 Ferment the agave juice, or mosto
Step 5 Distill the fermented mosto
The agave juices are then distilled, which purifies the liquid and concentrates the alcohol in the mixture. Tequila is typically distilled twice. The first distillation produces a cloudy liquid called the ordinario. The second distillation produces the clear silver tequila, which is then ready to be aged and bottled.
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Step 5 Distill the fermented mosto
Step 6 Age the tequila
All tequila is aged for at least 14 to 21 days. Silver or blanco tequila is aged for the minimum time. Aged tequila comes in three types: reposado (“rested,” aged for two months to one year), añejo (“aged,” aged for one to three years), and extra añejo (aged for over three years). To produce a more aged tequila, the distilled blanco is put into aged oak barrels, which gives the tequila a golden color. There is also a fifth kind of tequila called joven (“young”) or oro (“gold”), which is a mix of silver tequila and reposado tequila.
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Step 6 Age the tequila
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Mr Sancho PancHo's - "Tequila Maestra"

This role requires extensive knowledge of the agave plant, fermentation, and distillation processes, and a refined palate to ensure the highest quality of tequila.

A “Tequila Maestra” is a title often given to a highly skilled and knowledgeable expert in the production of tequila.

Their Responsibilities Typically Include:

1. Selecting Agave:

Choosing the best blue agave plants for production.

2. Overseeing Harvest:

Managing the jimadores (agave farmers) who harvest the agave.

3. Production Process:

Supervising the various stages of tequila production, including cooking the agave, fermentation, distillation, and aging.

4. Quality Control:

Ensuring the final product meets high-quality standards.

5. Blending and Tasting:

Blending different batches to create a consistent and balanced flavor profile and tasting the product to ensure its quality.

6. Innovation:

Developing new tequila varieties or production techniques.

Aging Process/Duration

Esmeralda
reposado

Minimum 2 months, maximum 1 year in oak.

MSP Tequila: 10-12 Months

Turquesa
blanco

Bottled without spending time in barrel.

MSP Tequila: Direct

Beige
añejo

Minimum 1 year, maximum 3 years of aging.

MSP Tequila: 16-18 Months

EXTRA: At least 3 years of ageing in oak barrels.

The Journey of Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila: From Agave to Extra Añejo

Origin of the Spirit: Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila begins its journey in the rich, fertile fields of Jalisco, where only the finest blue agave, also known as Agave Azul Tequilana Weber, is harvested. This meticulous process starts with mature agave plants that have been carefully cultivated for a minimum of six years to ensure they possess the perfect balance of sweetness and complexity.

The Transformation Process:

1. Blanco: The Purest Form

First Stage: Once the agave is harvested, it undergoes a careful distillation process that transforms it into Blanco tequila. This is the purest form of tequila, bottled immediately after distillation, capturing the fresh, natural flavors of the agave.

2. Reposado: The Rested Spirit

Second Stage: The Blanco tequila is then transferred into oak barrels. After two months in the barrel, it begins to take on the characteristics that define Reposado, a rested tequila with a subtle infusion of oak flavors. The tequila continues to age in these barrels for up to 11 months, gaining complexity and a smooth, mellow character.

3. Añejo: The Matured Masterpiece

Third Stage: Once the tequila has aged for 12 months, it earns the title of Añejo. This stage lasts from 12 to 35 months, during which the tequila deepens in flavor and color, developing rich notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice. The extended aging process allows the tequila to mature into a sophisticated spirit with a robust profile.

4. Extra Añejo: The Ultimate Expression

Final Stage: After 36 months in the barrel, the tequila reaches the pinnacle of its aging process, becoming Extra Añejo. This category represents the ultimate in luxury tequila, where time has imparted an unparalleled depth of flavor, richness, and smoothness that can only be achieved through extended aging.

The Evolution of Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila: A Journey Through Time

At Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila, every bottle tells a story—a story of passion, tradition, and a deep respect for the heritage of tequila-making. Our journey begins with the finest Weber Blue Agave, nurtured in the rich soils of Jalisco, Mexico. This is not just any tequila; this is a spirit crafted with dedication and precision, destined to become a legend in the world of fine spirits.

From Blanco to Extra Añejo: The Art of Transformation

Our tequila’s journey begins as Blanco, the purest form of the spirit. Fresh from distillation, Blanco captures the vibrant, earthy essence of the agave. It is clear, crisp, and filled with the bright, unadulterated flavors that define this stage of the tequila-making process.

But the journey doesn’t stop there. The Blanco tequila is carefully placed into oak barrels, where it begins its transformation. After two months, the tequila emerges as Reposado. This aging process imparts a subtle spice and hints of vanilla, as the spirit begins to absorb the rich characteristics of the oak. Reposado, meaning “rested,” is aged between two and eleven months, gaining complexity and a golden hue that hints at the deeper flavors to come.

As the tequila reaches twelve months in the barrel, it transforms into Añejo. The extended aging process brings out a richer, more nuanced flavor profile—caramel, oak, and a smooth, velvety texture that caresses the palate. Añejo tequila is aged from twelve to thirty-five months, each bottle a testament to the meticulous care and time-honored techniques that define our craft.


Finally, after thirty-six months, the tequila reaches the pinnacle of its evolution: Extra Añejo. This luxurious spirit, aged for over three years, is the embodiment of refinement. Deep, complex, and with a profound richness, Extra Añejo offers a tasting experience that is unparalleled—truly the crown jewel of our tequila lineup.

A Legacy of Excellence

Every step of the way, from Blanco to Extra Añejo, Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila honors the tradition of Mexican tequila-making. Our master distillers bring generations of expertise to each bottle, ensuring that every sip you take is a reflection of our commitment to quality. But more than just a drink, Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila is an experience. It’s the warmth of the Jalisco sun in every sip of Blanco, the comfort of tradition in a glass of Reposado, the richness of heritage in the depths of Añejo, and the luxurious culmination of a journey in the smooth finish of Extra Añejo.

Experience the Spirit of Mexico

When you choose Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila, you are choosing to partake in a legacy that transcends time. It’s a celebration of life, of the land, and of the craftsmanship that turns the humble agave into a world-renowned spirit. Whether you’re enjoying a lively fiesta with friends or a quiet moment of reflection, let Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila be your companion on this journey through the rich tapestry of Mexican heritage.

Raise Your Glass to Tradition, Excellence, and the Timeless Spirit of México

Discover the Magic in Every Bottle of Mr. Sancho Pancho Tequila

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