Sierra Tequila Blanco is a Mexican blanco (silver) tequila from Jalisco, bottled without any wood ageing and at 38% ABV. It is made from blue agave, Agave tequilana Weber variedad azul – the base raw material produced from blue agave grown in the valleys and highlands near Guadalajara, where it thrives at an altitude of around 1,600 metres, in a region known for its mineral-rich red soil.
The brand belongs to the mixto category rather than 100% agave tequila. By law, tequila must be produced from at least 51% agave sugars, while 100% Agave tequila requires a minimum of 100%, and the remaining ingredients may come from agricultural sources – the producer uses high-quality sugars from Mexican sugar cane grown in Jalisco. The spirit is made at the family-run Destilería Sierra Unidas, housed in a historic hacienda in Guadalajara.
The profile is determined by the method of distillation. Sierra is distilled twice in traditional pot stills; the double distillation preserves the fruity notes, and after the second distillation the spirit may be called tequila. The fresh tequila then rests and harmonises for several weeks in stainless steel vats; tequila bottled directly after distillation and harmonisation is known as Blanco or Plata, and internationally also as Silver, and is characterised by a transparent, crystal-clear colour.
The aroma and flavour profile is dominated by agave with a fresh, fruity background. Sierra Tequila Silver is a clear blanco tequila with a full, fruity, fresh aroma with a light hint of chilli, reinforced by blue Weber agave, along with delicate notes of green apple and young pineapple, while pepper lends it a distinctly spicy character. The spirit is most often drunk chilled in the ritual with salt and lemon, and is used as a base for cocktails, including the Margarita.