Deep in the highlands of Tequila, about an hour’s drive outside the city of Guadalajara, lay the agave fields of Milagro Tequila. Using only estate-grown agave and triple distillation for a clean, crisp agave flavor in their tequilas, Milagro is one of top producers of artisan tequilas today. To understand why Milagro is so special, one needs to understand the process by which Milagro Tequila is produced.

First, once the pinas (or heart) of the agave plants are hand-harvested, they are slow-roasted in clay ovens for 36 hours to intensify the sweetness of the agave sugars and bring out as many of the hidden flavors in the plant as possible.

Then, the pinas are shredded and pressed to release the juices. While in olden times this was done with stone tahonas (essentially a giant stone wheel usually pulled by a donkey), modern technology results in better and fuller extraction of the juices. The juices are then pumped into stainless steel tanks, where Milagro uses a unique yeast strain to start the fermentation process.

Once fermentation is complete, distillation begins. The first distillate, called ordinario, captures the flavors and essence of the agave plant, but it is polished two more times before being called tequila. By using triple-distillation, Milagro’s house style can be described as crisp and agave-forward, something most tequila enthusiasts relish.

Milagro Silver is a 2011 SF World Spirits Competition double gold award-winning tequila—needless to say, it’s a good entry into the world of Milagro. This colorless tequila has aromas of grapefruit peel, dried oranges, and agave on the nose. On the palate, a pleasingly crisp acidity strikes, leaving behind notes of fresh agave, black pepper, citrus, and herbs.

This tequila is extremely versatile, mixing well into classic cocktails like the Margarita (Milagro’s house recipe is two parts Milagro Silver, one part fresh lime juice, and ¾ part agave nectar) or the Paloma. It’s also complex enough to be savored on its own, perhaps accompanied with sangrita, the traditional Mexican accompaniment for tequila.

With a beautiful bottle, high-quality tequila and unique versatility, Milagro Silver is an excellent choice for a well-stocked home bar. Tequila enthusiasts will appreciate its quality, while those less knowledgeable about tequila can appreciate one of the best looking bottles in the liquor industry. Either way, Milagro Silver Tequila is bound to please.