Tequila is blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber) distilled in a legally defined geographic region. The industry spans from mass-production industrial column-still Tequila (Cuervo Gold, Sauza) to artisanal traditional expression using tahona stone mills and pot stills (Fortaleza, Siete Leguas). The Highland/Lowland distinction shapes flavour as decisively as any terroir division: Highland tequilas (Casamigos, Código, Tequila Ocho) tend toward citrus, floral, and sweetness; Lowland tequilas (Herradura, Cazadores) tend toward earthier, more vegetal character. The jimador (harvester) and the 'piña' harvesting cycle is one of agriculture's most skill-dependent traditions.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 89 | Excellent conditions; high-altitude agave ripened beautifully with characteristic minerality and citrus. |
| 2022 | 85 | Strong summer with good agave development; solid across the region. |
| 2021 | 82 | Irregular rainfall in some subregions; highland areas maintained quality while lowland producers had variable results. |
| 2020 | 88 | Warm, dry Jalisco summer; high sugar concentration in agave. Rich, cooked-agave character in resulting tequilas. |
| 2019 | 86 | Good conditions in both highland and lowland regions; classic tequila character with balanced fruit and mineral character. |
| 2018 | 91 | Excellent agave year in the Jalisco highlands; warm summer with adequate rainfall produced agave at peak sugar concentration (28+ Brix). Highland producers particularly benefited. |