Tequila Tasting in the Birthplace of Mexico’s Most Famous Spirit

Ask a barman in most parts of the world and you’ll find tequila is a popular party drink. Most people outside Mexico drink it as a shot with salt and lime designed to mask the taste of the strong alcohol. However, those in the know savor the experience by sipping on the spirit.

Take a trip to the town of Tequila, near Guadalajara in Jalisco state, and taking tequila shots is definitely frowned upon. This non-descript cowboy town gave its name to the drink, and remains the home of the tequila industry today.

Distilleries and bottle shops line the main road, while fields of agave plants extend as far as the eye can see on either side. Everywhere you look tequila is for sale, but it’s inside the distilleries you will get the full rundown on how tequila is made.

Whether you visit the Jose Cuervo plant, the Don Julio plant or any of the countless other smaller brands, you will be given a tour of the distillery and talked through how the agave plant is turned into the drink the world knows and loves. Tastings are usually offered at the end of each tour, and you can buy bottles for souvenirs.

If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, stop in at some of the bars and ask a bartender to talk you through the range of tequilas.