Do you find yourself staring blindly at the tequila aisle? “Blanco? Anejo? Hrmmmpph…”

Here’s a quick what’s what on tequila styles:

Blanco (white) is the same thing as plata (silver); it’s stored in stainless steel tanks for two months or less and then bottled, unaged. This style retains the intense earthy, peppery flavor of the agave.

Joven (young) or oro (gold) is simply unaged silver tequila that has been colored or flavored with caramel.

Reposado (rested) is aged up to eleven months in oak barrels, often purchased from distillers such as Jack Daniel’s. .

Añejo (aged) spends 1-3 years in oak.

Extra Añejo, a relatively new category, spends a minimum of 3 years in oak.

From Sammy Haggar’s Cabo Wabo to the rifle-shaped Tommy Gun, B-21 has a vast assortment of fine tequilas for your judgment impairment. Cabo Wabo, Patron, Milagro, Herradura, Don Julio, Don Eduardo, El Mayor, Tres Generations, Asombroso, Frida Kahlo, Gran Centenario, El Tesero, Tres Rios, Tezon, Tommy Guns, Oro Azul, Corralejo, and Corzo, to name a few.  

Now you know why tequilas get more expensive as they go…somebody has to babysit them while they soak in the oak. The rest is a matter of personal preference. I tend to like the brash, peppery nature of a silver. My philosophy is, if you’re going to slap yourself with a shot of tequila, you may as well feel it. Others prefer the smoother nature of aged tequilas. Whatever your jam is, just enjoy yourself. And put away the training wheels; lime and salt are for sorority girls on Spring Break. 

~Shawn