Tequila Collection at the Bar

We all know tequila is a necessity when it comes to creating Colorado’s best margarita, but as “the Spirit of the Rio” it is so much more to us than just a margarita ingredient. The Rio carries over 60 different tequilas — all hand-selected and tested by the leadership team (it’s a tough job). Our tequilas vary by age, origin and even flavor profiles. Check them out below.

 

Our very favorites (and most special) are kept in the “Tequila Vault” at each Rio location. You can try these at our Tequila Tasting events! Throughout the year we host 2 to 3 tequila tastings at every Rio location where we highlight and learn about a specific brand of this fantastic spirit.

 

TYPES OF TEQUILA

Well-Known Types of Tequila

Like most spirits, Tequila goes through an aging process, resulting in a variety of categories depending on how long that tequila is aged.

BLANCO: AKA Silver or AKA Plata tequilas are usually NOT aged (Which is why they do not have any color tint) but some can be “rested” in oak barrels for up to two months.

  • Flavor profile: peppery, citrus, cooked agave
  • The base for ALL tequilas
  • Typically the type of tequila to take shots of or mix in cocktails

REPOSADO: translates to “rested” meaning this category of tequila has been aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 2-months and as long as a full year.

  • Flavor profile: smoother & generally more flavors due to the influence of the oak barrels
  • Good in margs but can also be sipped

ANEJO: translates to “aged” meaning it’s aged longer (ya know, not just “rested”) in oak barrels for a minimum of 1 year and a max of 3 years.

  • Flavor profile: smoother still, with more complex flavor and body
  • Great to sip – best served neat. Can also add more complexity to margs

Reposado & Anejo tequilas have similar flavor profiles of cooked agave oak, caramel & vanilla, with Anejo tequilas having a stronger profile considering the increased length of time in the aging process.

 

Emerging, Lesser Known Types of Tequila

  • Extra Anejo – aged for 3-5+ years and much more expensive given the time it takes
  • Joven – AKA Mixto – this is a much cheaper version and great for mixing in margs. Cuervo and Sauza “Gold” fall into this category of tequila
  • Mezcal – a type of tequila that is made from up to 28 varieties of the agave plant from a variety of areas in Mexico. It’s smokier than tequila, too.

This is just a snippet of information about the tequilas we serve, but you can learn more about the spirit of the Rio at our Tequila Tasting events throughout the year! Follow us on Facebook at @MyRioGrande to stay up to date when we announce the next tequila tasting at your local Rio restaurant.

Follow us on Facebook at @MyRioGrande to stay up to date when we announce the next tequila tasting at your local Rio!