Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Today we're going to do something different. Kind of a journey, not a distillery, but across the landscape of Jalisco and the birthplace of tequila. You've heard terms like Los Altos, the Tequila Valley. You've heard those thrown around highlands lowlands. But you know Los Altos and Tequila Valley aren't just catchy labels. They're actually real geographic labels of Jalisco, and they dramatically affect how your tequila tastes, smells and feels. So grab a glass. Let's break down the tequila regions of Jalisco and how each one tells its own story in the glass. Let's start where it all began. Ale de Tequila, or the Valley, also known as the Valles. This region includes towns like Tequila, Matatan, Arenal, just west of Guadalajara. The soil's rich, volcanic and rich in iron. Finagave is an earthy backbone and a peppery bite that we all know. Vaya's tequilas are bold, vegetal, mineral, forward agave, black pepper, wet limestone. Some of the most respected valley distilleries include Fortaleza, of course, Nom 1493, one of the most traditional distilleries in Mexico, Gascalouin, beloved for its honesty, its balance, its minerality, its earthy flavors. And Hacienda do Ora, the home of several tequilas made by master distiller Iliana Partida, working alongside master distiller Jimmy Salza, bringing out some great tequilas from there too. If you like classic, rich, peppery tequila flavor, El Valle, or the Valles, is your region. Next, we climb east into the southern highlands known as Los Altos Sur. This area covers Arandas, Atepetalan, Jesus Maria, sitting about 6,000ft above sea level, red clay, soil, cooler climate where the gear slow agave growth, creating more natural sugars and brighter flavors. These tequilas are fruit, forward, floral, sweetly balanced with notes of cooked agave candy, citrus and honey. Key distilleries in this region may be the Vivanka Distillery 1414 with Sergio Cruz, some of my favorite tequilas, like Vivameco, Siempre, Lost Lore and many others.
[00:02:04] How about nom 1412 de las Otes, home of Corrido tequila master distiller Oscar Vasquez. And don't Forget stopping by nom 1634 Tequila Trujillo, producing tequilas with a bright, fruity Los Altos character. If you love smooth, elegant tequila with a lively sweetness and a fruity, floral flavor, Los Altos Sur is calling your name. Now let's grab another place that a lot of people don't talk about. In between the highlands and the valleys the foothills between the highlands and the valleys is a transitional zone often called the foothills or intermediate region. Here altitude starts to drop, the soils mix red clay from from the highlands meets that volcanic earthy from the valley. The result is balanced tequila captures fruit from the highlands and spice from the valley. A great example, Desta la Huatalan. It's the distillery nom 1551 making this tequila right here. Careta de Oro tequila. It's a perfect bridge between bright, bold crist agave sweetness and just the right amount of earthiness for a bite. And it's a fantastic tequila made right in the middle. And then a little further north we reach Los Altos Norte around Atatanico, El Ateo and Jesus Maria Norte. This region's slightly drier climate higher elevation creates dense, complex agaves packed with sugars and flavors. Tequilas here are rich, spicy, full bodied, often with long finishes and layers of fruit and minerality. Some of the most iconic distilleries are are in Los Atos Norte. How about El Pendio 1579, home of G4 led by Felipe Camarena, La Atena 1139 where legendary tequila Ocho was formed and Tapatio and Altasoro are still made. Or how about going to a tatanico to Tequila Siete Leguas, a benchmark for traditional handcrafted tequila. And let's not forget about NAM 1107 El Vijito producing classic highland style tequilas. With its super clean finish, this region is the heart of Los Altos, full of tequilas with power, depth and structure. If the next time you hear someone say Highland or Valley tequila, you'll know it's not just branding, it's terroir. From volcanic soils of Tequila to the red clays of Arandas to the transitional foothills of Wata Telan, each region of Jalisco leaves a mark in the glass. If you enjoyed this breakdown, hit subscribe. Check out my interviews with producers each of these regions and discover how geography truly shapes tequila. And as always, slip slow, learn more and appreciate the craft. Cheers.
