El Tesoro tequila

El Tesoro tequila logo

El Tesoro tequila is a premium brand of tequila produced in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. It is known for its traditional production methods and high-quality agave. The brand was founded in 1937 by Don Felipe Camarena and has since become one of the most respected names in the tequila industry.

History[edit | edit source]

El Tesoro tequila was established by Don Felipe Camarena in 1937. The distillery, known as La Alteña, is located in the highlands of Jalisco, an area renowned for its rich, red volcanic soil, which is ideal for growing blue agave. The Camarena family has been involved in tequila production for generations, and their commitment to traditional methods has been a hallmark of the brand.

Production Process[edit | edit source]

El Tesoro tequila is made using 100% blue agave, which is harvested by hand. The agave plants are typically allowed to mature for 8 to 12 years before harvesting. After harvesting, the agave piñas (hearts) are cooked in traditional brick ovens for 48 hours. This slow-cooking process helps to develop the complex flavors of the agave.

Once cooked, the agave is crushed using a traditional tahona, a large stone wheel. This method of crushing the agave is labor-intensive but is believed to extract the best flavors from the plant. The resulting juice is then fermented using natural yeast and distilled in copper pot stills. El Tesoro tequila is known for its minimal aging process, with most of its expressions being either unaged (blanco) or aged for a short period (reposado and añejo).

Expressions[edit | edit source]

El Tesoro offers several different expressions of tequila, each with its own unique characteristics:

El Tesoro Blanco: Unaged and bottled immediately after distillation, this expression is known for its pure agave flavor.
El Tesoro Reposado: Aged for 9 to 11 months in American oak barrels, this tequila has a balance of agave and oak flavors.
El Tesoro Añejo: Aged for 2 to 3 years, this expression has a richer, more complex flavor profile.
El Tesoro Extra Añejo: Aged for at least 4 years, this is the most mature and complex expression offered by El Tesoro.

Awards and Recognition[edit | edit source]

El Tesoro tequila has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. It is highly regarded by tequila enthusiasts and has been praised for its commitment to traditional production methods and high-quality agave.