The art of making a good Tequila is not a simple task, it involves an entire process of transformation and alchemy…. of recipes and methods that pass from generation to generation.
Each Tequila on the market is manufactured through a standardized process and by standards well established by the tequila regulatory council , however each tequila house has its own essence and by being able to enter its house to observe its process and the context where it is produces each of its Tequilas, we can understand each flavor note in greater depth.
If you are thinking of taking a tour of the magical town of Tequila, please do not miss the opportunity to visit one or two distilleries, you will not regret it! since, on the one hand, they are impressive architectural buildings, usually with large and colorful gardens, in addition to the fact that on the tour you will be able to taste the different types of tequila (blanco, reposado, añejo, cristalino), and by “taste” we mean that you will be guided by a Tequila Master towards each of the notes that the tequila leaves on the palate.
In addition to the sensory experience that a good Tequila tasting awakens, inside the distillery you will be able to observe step by step the manufacturing process from “La Jima” to “fermentation”, along the way you will be able to get intoxicated with different aromas that emerge in this process, and which are very characteristic of tequila factories.
Distillery? Tequila House? Tequila Factory? They are the same? Yeah! That’s right, these are the 3 different ways to call the place where tequila is produced (manufactured).
The best tequila shops in Jalisco are 3: 1. Puerta de Hierro 2. La Rojeña 3. La Fortress
Top 3 Tequileras of Tequila Jalisco
1. Puerta Hierro Tequila Distillery Cava de Oro
Tequila Cava de Oro is a premium tequila proudly produced by a woman, although there are 2 founders: Don Gildardo Partida Meléndez and Doña Leticia Hermosillo Ravelero, it is not common for a woman to lead a distillery and perhaps that is why the Tequila Cava de Oro has come to stand out internationally for its great quality and extra-ordinary flavor.
It is the first distillery on the Tequila Route and is located at Km 32 of the Guadalajara-Tepic highway, which is why it is known as “La Puerta Al Paisaje Agavero”.
Its Tequila Master Alberto Partida has developed a Premium Tequila profile, aged in Ex-Red Wine barrels, with a gourmet concept that surprises all palates.
The Distillery has large gardens with trees and yellow flowers that decorate and fill the route with color. They also have an underground entrance to the cellars where the tequila is stored. They also have several incredible spots to take photographs.
There are 2 tours / tours that we highly recommend at this distillery, our favorite is the “ night tour ” which in turn is a 3-course Gourmet Dinner experience, where you can not only taste the tequilas, but you can also accompany the tasting with an extraordinary pairing prepared by a Chef.
The second tour that we recommend is a tour of the tequila production process that maintains the artisanal method, a tequila technician will explain the production of tequila step by step. To finish with a tasting of blanco tequila, reposado tequila, añejo tequila, Extra añejo tequila and a mezcal. You will learn the differences between each of the Tequila categories.
2. La Rojeña Cuervo Tequila Distillery
Without a doubt, the most famous factory in the world is La Rojeña, which is well known for being the oldest, that’s right! This is the house that saw the birth of Tequila more than 250 years ago, therefore its architecture is just as impressive, that is why you cannot miss it, imagine knowing the tequila process from the creators.
The tequila farm has:
8 Private Tasting Rooms elegantly and spaciously equipped to carry out professional tasting.
1 Cava Reserva de la Familia, an intimate, dark, and underground space that has barrels and demijohns that are more than 100 years old, is a journey through time.
1 Distillery.
1 Margarita Bar, that’s right, the margarita has been the cocktail that made Tequila famous in Hollywood and here you can try this refreshing drink (it is not necessary to book a tour to visit the margarita bar), with a schedule of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1 Plaza Juan Soriano, which is a patio within the hacienda dedicated to the important Jalisco artist, where you can admire some of his most iconic sculptures.
1 José Cuervo Store Don’t leave without a beautiful memory! In the hacienda store, you can find bottles of José Cuervo tequila for sale as well as nice souvenirs for you and your family.
3. La Fortaleza "The Fortress"
You have to know the distillery with the best panoramic view of the agave landscapes in Tequila.
In addition to the fantastic location of this tequila factory, it is worth mentioning the great family legacy and history behind it…
The founder of Tequila Fortaleza “Guillermo” is actually the great-great-grandson of Don Cenobio, the founder of the “La Perseverancia” distillery, which currently no longer belongs to the family as it was sold to Casa Sauza, however, Don Cenobio was the first person to bring Tequila. outside Mexico and years later his great-grandson “Francisco Javier” was the one who achieved the registration of “denomination of origin” for Tequila in 1996.
Thus, La Fortaleza is an artisanal Tequila that is made with the family recipe of one of the pioneers in the industry, with a lot of passion and love for Mexico.
“La Fortaleza” tequila is one of the very few tequilas that are still made with Tahona, giving it a very characteristic flavor that you can recognize when you try it.
