What Makes Tequila “Authentic”? A First-Timer’s Guide to Real Agave Spirits

Welcome, friends! If you have ever wandered down the liquor aisle feeling overwhelmed by the rows of bottles you see, you are not alone. Trust us, we were once clueless and didn’t even know where to begin!

That’s probably what brought you here. You may have heard of our love for agave liquor and wondered what that could possibly be. Are we talking about vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, or tequila? Or are we talking about them all? 

Relax. We’re here to help you and talk about our favorite drink. Are you ready? Let’s go!

The Booze Buzz

For the first-timers, classifying drinks can be tough. Just remember this. At the tippy top of the family tree would be “alcoholic beverages”. Alcoholic beverages are wines, beers, vodka, brandy, tequila, and so much more.

This leads us to our next classification. At SWOL, we use only blue weber agave—the gold standard for crafting authentic tequila. Quality is at the heart of everything we do, which is why we stick to traditional, time-honored methods and steer clear of the synthetic additives that are flooding the industry. These shortcuts may cut costs, but they also compromise authenticity and taste.

Real tequila must be 100% agave—no exceptions. Shockingly, under Mexican law, a spirit only needs to contain 51% blue agave to be labeled “tequila.” That’s how so many mass-market brands get away with using fillers and artificial flavors. At SWOL, we don’t cut corners—we raise the bar.

It’s also worth noting that not all agave liquor is immediately tequila. Agave spirits come in many types, like mezcal, bacanora, raicilla, and sotol. 

Simply put, all authentic tequila is agave liquor, but not all agave liquor is tequila. 

Your Guide to Tequila Types

So, are there different types of tequila? Certainly! Tequila is classified by its aging process. The five of which will be explained in a bit more detail as you read further along.

Blanco

Blanco, also known as silver tequila, is unaged or minimally aged tequila (aka aged for up to two months). Blanco is tequila that’s been bottled straight after distillation, meaning it has more of the pure agave taste. People enjoy Blanco by sipping it straight or sometimes blended into cocktails.

Joven

Joven, meaning “young”, is called gold tequila for its golden hue. This one is a blend of aged (Reposado) and unaged (Blanco) tequilas, giving it a more balanced flavor. You get sweetness as well as hints of woody notes. Yes, additives like sugar and caramel make their way into a bottle of Joven. Not only does it add to its sweetness, but it also adds to its color.

Reposado

How is Reposado different from Blanco? If Blanco is aged for up to two months, Reposado is aged for a minimum of two months. However, aging lasts only for up to a year, even less. How does aging work for this tequila? Well, this tequila gains its notes from the wooden barrels where it has been rested. Woody, yes. But also think caramel and maybe even vanilla.

Añejo

There was a time when we’d call the Añejo the goldilocks of tequilas, but that reference may not be so easily understood in this day and age. So, now, we’d like to call it the Hannah Montana of tequilas. You get the best of both worlds! Aged for one to three years, this kind of tequila drinks smooth and features complex flavors that seasoned drinkers and casual drinkers alike will enjoy. It has a richer profile, meaning that it’s tequila that can stand alone and be sipped solo.

Extra Añejo

If you think the Añejo was already aged enough, then you should meet the Extra Añejo. Aged for at least three years, this kind of tequila is often higher in price. Not only is it because its flavors are more complex and rich, but it’s also because, over time, tequila is lost to evaporation inside the barrels. Think of it as supply and demand. There’s not much you can get after every batch, hence the steeper price tag.

Bonus Bits

You may be new, but chances are you’ll hear about Cristalino Tequila from one of your drinking buds. It’s a fairly new category, new enough that the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) doesn’t officially recognize it - yet. It’s a hit-or-miss. There are folks that enjoy this, but there are also people that… don’t prefer it, let’s put it at that. So, what is it? Basically, it’s reposado, añejo, or extra añejo tequila that’s been filtered, resulting in a clearer drink compared to what it was before. It’s said to be smooth and has notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak.

Another quick detour to talk about Flavored Tequilas. These are simple, really. Think tequilas… with flavor! Popular infusions include fruits, spices, and even coffee. There’s also peppermint-flavored tequilas, which are perfect for mixing.

The Sweet Spot with SWOL Tequila

Remember when we said that Mexico requires tequila to contain a minimum of 51% blue agave? Well, SWOL tequila is made with 100% Blue Weber Agave. It is wildcrafted in Mexico and is a must-grab if you do see it. 

So, why SWOL when there are so many tequila brands out there? We don’t have Kendall Jenner, Nick Jonas, or Rita Ora fronting our bottles — and we’re not trying to. What we do have is exceptional tequila made the right way, with no shortcuts, no gimmicks, and no additives. Our quality speaks for itself, and our taste doesn’t need a celebrity to validate it — just a glass and a good moment.

We think taste is what matters the most. In every bottle of SWOL, you’re getting a blend of two unique Añejo tequilas. This meticulously combined tequila delivers a unique taste of caramel, vanilla, and oak. The taste speaks for itself, and we truly believe that everyone should try a sip of this special tequila - before it’s all gone! 

Let Them Drink Tequila

Here at SWOL Tequila, we’re just friends drinking with friends. You’re getting honest-to-goodness delicious tequila that captures the true essence of Mexico’s tequila heritage. We don’t hide behind whozits and whatzits galore. We’ve just got good tequila.