A Maestro Tequilero is like the chef in a restaurant, or a designer of a fashion brand. They are the ones who imprint their passion on the art of tequila, the product you will enjoy. And like any good artist, their passion turns every bottle they create, into a fine piece of art.
When purchasing a quality product, finding the very best of it is essential. Just as when you look for accessories, clothes or shoes, the safe way is to look for your favorite designer and choose the brand that best suits you; the same thing happens in the tequila industry.
Those who are interested in finding a product that meets the finest grade of quality often need to turn to the masters of the industry. The key is in the designers, here referred to as “Maestros Tequileros”.
If you are new to drinking tequila, you may not know there is such a difference in the quality and the range of brands available. Yet, once you have a taste of these products, specifically premium tequilas, you will never again be able to enjoy anything else.
Maestro Tequilero Defined
A master is one who possesses an exceptional and refined expertise in a certain industry. As for spirits, a Master Distiller usually has his area of expertise depending on which product he produces the most; it can be whiskey, bourbon, rum, etc.
They could easily visit any distillery and take over the option because they have run them on their own with exceptional results. Anyone operating as a master distiller needs to have an outstanding level of knowledge and experience in the field, enough to enable them to know the proper methods and production.
The same is true of a Maestro Tequilero. These professionals are not just distillers, but experts in tequila, one of the most complex spirits with the most depth and form of flavor.
A good maestro tequilero, controls and has an eye on his entire supply chain… from the quality of the agave and its jima, the whole distillation process and the amazing art of the barrels.
Master Of Their Craft
What does it mean to truly be a tequila master, though? Tequila is an exquisite product produced only from certain regions of Mexico and nowhere else in the world. Done with exceptional attention to detail and outstanding refined ingredients, tequila masters are able to produce premium tequila. To taste and enjoy this Mexican drink from the heart, it must be made following time tested and honored traditions approved by the TRC.
This starts with the right location, the magical Agave fields and continues to the Casa Tequilera. Where the transformation of the incredible agave piñas begins. This is where the ovens are located where the agave is cooked and the distillation process begins.
Those who set foot in these places are immediately delighted by the smooth, sweet aroma of cooked agave. The location itself is important, as some of these places offer innovative or more traditional manufacturing methods than others.
What stands out, however, is both the hand of the Maestro Tequilero and the specifications and budget given by the brand’s representatives. There are several things that identify a true Maestro Tequilero.
In Depth Knowledge of Tequila
At the heart of this is the knowledge of the master tequila distiller. Because this is a craft that is passed down from generations of tradition, those who are true masters are profoundly experienced in their ability to provide information and insights into this field.
In addition, there are now degrees offered in Mexican universities to train master tequila makers with the necessary theoretical and scientific knowledge to be constantly innovating. To make tequila internationally competitive, as it is currently doing.
They should know everything about the production process. This begins long before the actual distilling takes place, though. It begins the moment the plant is cultivated in the ground. They know everything about the Jima and much more.
Teaching How to Enjoy It Properly
Not only does this master know the industry and the production process, but they also have extensive knowledge of the best ways to enjoy his tequila. Gone are the days of tequila being nothing more than a shot with lime and salt. Today, premium tequila and ultra-premium tequila are like a fine spirit, enjoyed while sipping and paired with a wide range of different foods.
A maestro tequilero can tell you how to drink it, including which foods to pair each flavor and version with as well as how to enjoy different types of tequila. They can tell you how to sample new flavors, allowing it to roll on your tongue and how to smell the different notes of agave from the production process.
How to taste and enjoy
A maestro tequilero is able to taste the tequila and truly understand the production process as well as the location of the product due to his experience creating different profiles. For those who are looking to enjoy their first taste of a premium product, the maestro tequilero can tell you how to enjoy it, including how to wake up the palate with a small sip and to allow it to pass into the mouth and swallow it with slower, more enjoyable sips. You can learn a great deal about the flavor profile, the aromas, and even the texture of the tequila by learning how to drink it properly.
Exceptional ingredients
The good maestros tequileros are known for using the very best ingredients throughout the entire process. Many Casa Tequileras will have their own process for selecting and using agave, but the best organizations spend the time ensuring the very specifics of the plant are perfect. They are able to understand, just from a sip, what was used in the production process, including the overall quality of the ingredients, the age of the agave, and much more. It is these details that help to make each version of tequila so unique.
Why Does It Matter Who Produces the Product?
The work of a maestro tequilero is unique to their position. They are the professionals who oversee the entire process, ensuring that every step of the process is done with exceptional attention to detail. They work closely with each person that is a part of the industry to help craft the uniqueness of the tequila.
There is something very interesting about Maestro Tequileros, and that is that they are able to do what no machinery or equipment can do. They carry a significant amount of ancestral knowledge that allows them to ensure that every production step is done properly to ensure the quality of the final product is exactly as expected. There is a uniqueness about the authenticity of these products when a true master is behind them that is using traditional knowledge to produce them.
The maestro tequilero has ample training. They tend to have a significant amount of experience not just in the production process but also in the industry itself. They understand the regulations and the requirements set in place by the government and work to meet every component of that. With ample experience and training as a sommelier allows this professional to be able to not just support a brand or the production of a refined drink but the industry itself.
The only institution that can provide an official master’s license is the Mexican Academy of Tequila Tasters, AC. This organization is recognized by the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry. It is also recognized by the Tequila Regulatory Council, AC.
The blending is a final component of the job of a true master in this field. The maestro tequilero is the professional that actually makes the blends. To do this, they adjust the various elements before and after the fermentation process to get the desired result. This is perhaps one of the most crucial moments of the entire production, and a high level of skill is critical to ensuring it is done well. A mistake here could create a batch that is simply not refined or does not meet the high standards of the brand. The harmony of the taste and aromas of the final product falls in the hands of the tequila masters, then.
The job of the tequila master is significant. When they do their job well, and their performance is as expected from the industry, the product is exceptional. When it comes to the production of high-quality products, including premium tequila and ultra-premium tequila, these require a very specific level of knowledge. A true master understands the art and the science behind the production of good quality tequila and takes their responsibility involved in controlling the entire process seriously.
Think of a Maestro Tequilero as a chef or a designer of a fine piece of art. Their skill and craftsmanship are what translate into the final product. It is a type of art that is embodied in a bottle of tequila and cherished by those who have the opportunity to enjoy it.
Bottom Line
There is no doubt that quality is important when it comes to tequila. Casa Aceves tequila has a unique style, due to the refined methods used in our production process. A good quality tequila is not something that can be produced without a combination of skill, knowledge and craftsmanship.
When deciding which bottle of tequila to buy, take the time to get to know the expertise of its people and the house behind each bottle. When you start doing this, you will find your own style. Only then will you be able to identify the products that are properly elaborated with different methods, from certain regions and that are competitive in today’s market. Casa Aceves is a guarantee of innovative products, with style from Los Altos de Jalisco and elaborated for international palates.
With the Casa Aceves signature on the bottle, you can be sure that the product you are drinking has been made with immense passion. Our brands represent different markets and styles, choose the one that best resonates with your lifestyle. The only thing left for you to do is to enjoy it with emotion, honoring the agave and the team behind it.
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