It was the party spirit, shot glass, salt and lime, hangover thing. Today, its popularity is soaring and drinking and discussing tequila is just as sophisticated as wine or whiskey. With Chris Mirza, Chiricahua Clubhouse Manager, we shine the spotlight on tequila – on National Tequila Day of all days – including how and where to try it on the Mountain.
The origins of National Tequila Day aren’t as clear as the drink it celebrates. Tequila dates back centuries to the early indigenous people of Mexico when they fermented the sap of the agave plant, making a drink called pulque. Tequila as we know it was first produced in the 1500s when the Spanish came to the Americas, and has spread across the world for centuries since. When Tequila Day started as a celebration isn’t pinned to a specific date, but that’s hasn’t stopped many from enjoying this special day.
“Tequila’s popularity has boomed in the past 5, 10, 15 years,” says Mirza. “Tequila offers a wide variety of flavor profiles to fit your own palate, versus bourbon or scotch. Plus, with people more health conscious, tequila – just 60 calories a shot – answers the question of what can I drink or sip on and still watch my calories, watch my sugar and get a good product.”
The history of tequila is a long one, but to make Tequila Day simple and to know your stuff, tequilas are divided into four categories: Blanco, Reposada, Anejo and Extra Anejo, depending on how long the spirit has been aged, and they come at all price points within each category. There’s also Mezcal – occasionally called “tequila’s crazy cousin,” which is less regulated than tequila and often takes on an intense, smoky flavor.
The clear color of the spirit defines a Blanco (“White”). The Blanco classification means it goes straight from the still to the bottle, with barrel aging from zero to two months. Its lack of complexity and frequently low price makes it ideal as a mixer in margaritas or in a Tequila Sunrise.
Reposados (“rested” in Spanish) assume a darker, golden color, because they have been aged in oak barrels from between two months and a year. Even darker still, Anejos (“Vintage”) are barrel aged between one and three years. During that time, the spirit assumes much more complexity, as well as a caramel color, making it a favorite of bourbon and scotch drinkers. “You’ll get more barrel tasting with the Anejo,” says Mirza. “More oak, more vanilla, more allspice.” A tequila classification only since 2005, Extra Anejo indicates a spirit that has been aged for more than three years, up to five years. Sweeter, smoother and deeper and richer in color – almost mahogany – Extra Anejos are for special occasion sipping.
Mirza also touts what some consider a fifth classification, Cristalino, which debuted around 2010. “This is an Anejo or Extra Anejo that has been filtered multiple times through charcoal. It’s actually a clear tequila that has great flavor.”
Desert Mountain offers a wide variety of tequilas. “Outlaw, with our modern-Mexican cuisine, is where you’ll find the biggest selection, but Constantino’s and Apache feature excellent selections as well,” says Mirza. “The rarest one we carry is the Don Julio Ultima Reserva. The Clase Azul is difficult to get and outstanding.”
At least two outlets serve a Tequila Old Fashioned as well as one with Mezcal. “That’s not necessarily traditional, but it changes the profile, and it’s really tasty,” says Mirza. “It’s among our more popular cocktails on the golf course.”
For newbies, Mirza suggests a skinny margarita. “You get the fresh lime juice and fresh agave in your Blanco or Reposado without the sugars of a traditional margarita.” For a sipping experience, start with a Reposado or Anejo. Mirza’s own choice is an Anejo with a single ice cube. He’s also partial to a new variation called tequila rosa that’s been aged in wine barrels and has a pink hue.
Salud! There are many different options of tequila for you to enjoy. If you’re looking for a golf club membership that offers some of the best golf courses in Scottsdale along with high-end fine dining on a daily basis, get in touch with our Membership team and have them walk you through the benefits of being a Member at the top-ranked golf club in Scottsdale.
Let’s celebrate National Tequila Day, and have another sip.
This story was originally written by Joe Passov, a Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) award-winning journalist. It has been edited for current accuracy. Read the original article in the Spring 2024 issue of Inside Desert Magazine.
