Over the past number of years we have expanded our tequila and mezcal selection here in Baggot Street Wines. Both tequila and mezcal are Mexican spirits made from the agave plant. Tequila is made from blue agave primarily in the region surrounding the city of Tequila located northwest of Guadalajara and also in the Jaliscan Highlands of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco. In general tequila has a sweet, fruity and earthy taste. Mezcal on the other hand can be made using various types of agave and is mainly produced in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, it is also generally made by cooking the agave in open pits which gives the spirit its trademark smokey character. Both spirits can be aged in oak and come with various statements:

• Blanco: unaged tequila, usually clear in colour
• Reposado: aged between 2 and 12 months in oak barrels 
• Joven: a mixture of blanco and reposado tequilas 
• Anejo: aged between 1 and 3 years in oak barrels
• Extra Anejo: aged 3 years or more in oak barrels