Q: Was there really a Jose Cuervo?

A: Yes. Jose Antonio Cuervo was the first Tequila producer, obtaining the land from the King of Spain in 1758, before Mexico became an independent republic. In 1795, Jose María Guadalupe de Cuervo made the very first Vino Mezcal de Tequila de Jose Cuervo when he received the first official permit from the King of Spain to produce Tequila commercially.

Q: Who is the oldest, largest and first Tequila producer?

A: Jose Cuervo, of course, since 1795.

Q: Where is Cuervo really made?

A: All Jose Cuervo Tequila must be made in the central Mexican town of Tequila in the state of Jalisco. According to the DOT (Declaration for the Protection of the Denomination of Origin—this is the Mexican law that oversees the protection of Tequila), only alcoholic beverages made with agave azul (Agave Tequilana Weber blue variety) grown in the state of Jalisco can be labeled as Tequila. No agave grown outside this region, including other countries, can be used for any product labeled as “Tequila.”

Q: What is Tequila made from?

A: Tequila comes from a high desert plant called the agave. Only the Agave Azul Tequilana Weber variety (Blue Agave) is used for Tequila. Classified by German botanist F. Weber in 1905, the Blue Agave is commonly mistaken for a cactus, but it is really a genus of succulent plant from the lily (amaryllis) family. Blue Agave is sometimes known as cabuya, maguey mezcal, mexic, pita and teometl.

Q: How long does it take for an agave plant to reach maturity?

A: About 8-12 years, at which point the plant will yield the most Tequila. Properly cared for, the plant matures in 8-10 years.

Q: Is Tequila mezcal?

A: No. They are often confused, but they’re really not the same at all. For example, Tequila can only be made from the Blue Agave, grown in specified regions of Jalisco, while mezcal can be made from any agave. Tequila is always double-distilled, while mezcal is only distilled once.

Q: Why is there a worm in my Tequila bottle?

A: THERE ISN’T. What you have is not a bottle of Tequila. The worm is found only in certain bottles of mezcal. Mezcal is made from different varieties of agave plants and follows a different production process.

Q: Is it difficult to make Tequila?

A: See for yourself. Click here to learn more about the Tequila-making process.

Q: What is a piña?

A: The piña is the heart of the agave from which sugars are extracted and Tequila is made.

Q: What is the secret to great Tequila?

A: Experience and care. Cuervo has been making Tequila the same way for 200 years. Carefully choosing the best agaves, meticulous fermentation and distillation, and final processing result in the world’s finest Tequila.

Q: Why is Tequila stronger than other spirits?

A: It isn’t. Cuervo produces at 38 percent to 40 percent alcohol by volume, just like most spirits. Tequila, however, has a unique flavor and is frequently consumed straight as a shot. This intense taste experience may be what leads people to mistakenly think that Tequila is “stronger.”

Q: Which Jose Cuervo products are gluten-free?

A: Being straight distilled spirits, all Jose Cuervo Tequilas are gluten free. In addition, Jose Cuervo Authentic Cuervo Margaritas, Margarita Minis, and Golden Margaritas are also gluten-free.

Q: What does “añejo” mean?

A: Translated from Spanish, “añejo” means “aged.” In Tequila terms, “añejo” is the designation for Tequila that has been aged in oak barrels for at least one year.

Q: What does “reposado” mean?

A: Reposado means “rested.” A Tequila must be “rested” in wood barrels, typically white oak, for a minimum of two months, but no longer than a year. This is a requirement of the Mexican government. The “resting” mellows and refines the Tequila, producing a combination of superb smoothness and great taste.

Q: What are Normas?

A: Normas are the standards set by the Mexican government, specifying what Tequila is and how it must be made.

Q: Which Tequilas are real Mexican Tequilas?

A: Real Tequila can only be produced in five very specific regions in Mexico. Tequila received an appellation de controlee in 1997. It’s the same as an appellation for fine wine or Cognac. The Mexican federal government has established strict requirements governing Tequila production. Real Mexican Tequilas have the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM)—that’s the NOM you’ll see on every bottle of Jose Cuervo. Jose Cuervo’s NOM number is 1104.