Tequila Herradura is one of the most famous tequila brands in the world. For over 140 years, Tequila Herradura has been made in the tiny town of Amatitan, about an hour’s drive outside Guadalajara in the Mexican state of Jalisco. While Tequila Herradura (Herradura means “horseshoe” in Spanish) makes a whole range of styles, at different ages and price points, one of the best styles made is their Silver tequila.

Distilled from the Weber blue agave, the tequilas made at Casa Herradura are grown in red volcanic soil, then hand-harvested by jimadors, who chop the spiky leaves off of the agave, leaving only the pina, or heart, of the plant. The pinas are brought in from the fields and roasted in giant clay ovens for over a day, a process by which the starches in the agave are converted to sugars. Once the pinas are roasted, they are shredded to release the juice trapped inside, which is used for the distillation. At this point, the roasted pinas have the color and flavor reminiscent of roasted sweet potatoes and a rich, earthy sweetness. The juice is then fermented and double-distilled to produce tequila.

Silver tequilas are either bottled immediately or allowed to age for up to two months. This aging, which Tequila Herradura undergoes for 45 days, allows the tequila to obtain a richer, rounder, and more complex flavor profile by exposing the tequila to oxygen before bottling.

On the nose, Tequila Herradura Silver offers a bouquet of citrus fruit, pineapple, and agave sugars. There is a slight hint of something herbal, which is pleasant and well-integrated with the other aromas.

On the palate, Tequila Herradura Silver is a complex and full-flavored tequila. Fresh citrus notes mingle with black pepper, agave, herbs, and a cinnamon note. At 40% alcohol by volume, this tequila doesn’t have the harsh bite of many lesser tequilas. It is smooth, easy-to-drink, and utterly approachable.

The finish on Tequila Herradura Silver is quick and clean, leaving the palate with a light citrus peel note and a slight pepperiness before dissipating completely.

Tequila Herradura Silver makes a great choice if you are only going to keep on tequila in your liquor cabinet. Complex and smooth enough to sip on its own, it’s also a great mixer for cocktails, especially margaritas. It is a versatile tequila and one that may open your eyes to just how good tequila can be.

While the entire range of tequilas from Herradura can easily be described as classic, Tequila Herradura Silver stands on its own merits as an iconic example of great tequila. One hundred and forty years of experience making tequila shows in each and every bottle of Tequila Herradura Silver. Try some today and experience what artisan, handcrafted tequila truly tastes like.