Slow Down and Sip: Our Guide to At Home Tequila Tastings
Hot take: you don’t need a distillery tour or a wall of bottles to do a tequila tasting right.
You just need to slow down.
The key to a good tequila tasting is paying attention.
That simple step turns a casual drink into something more intentional.
Think: less autopilot, more presence.
Setting the Scene
We aren’t trying to be dramatic; we just want our tastings to feel a little different than a regular weeknight pour.
This can be as simple as lighting a candle, sitting outside, or even just taking a few minutes to sit down. For us, sometimes this happens at our kitchen counter.
Other times it happens on our back patio, with a nice breeze and a change of scenery. Changing the setting = changing the experience.
Choosing Your Tequilas
If you’re anything like us, reposado and añejo are where it’s at. These essences are smoother and don’t burn, like a blanco tequila does.
We’ve found that our sweet spot is about two to four bottles that have something in common and something different. A compare and contrast, if you will. Sometimes that looks like two different types of tequila (reposado & añejo). Sometimes that looks like the same tequila brand, but different aging profiles. Other times that looks like the same style tequila, but different brands.
The goal is not to taste everything or overwhelm your palate. You’re not trying to impress anyone—you’re just looking for similarities and differences when time and oak get involved.
How to Taste (No Fancy Language Required)
Sip. Pause. Repeat.
It really is that simple. We usually start by just looking at the tequila. We swirl it around and take note of the viscosity. If it beads and runs down the glass, that means that tequila has tears or legs.
Second, notice the aroma. Don’t overthink it, what adjectives come to mind first?
Finally, it’s time to taste. Let it sit in your mouth for a second. What’s the flavor? How does it feel? What’s the finish?
Now it’s time for your preferences – would you pour this tequila again? How do you feel it ranks when it comes to sweet vs spicy, light vs dark? How do you rate it?
Pay Attention to What You Like
There’s no “correct” favorite.
Maybe you love deep caramel notes.
Maybe you prefer something lighter but still oaky.
The whole point is figuring out what you reach for—and why.
Don’t Forget to Reset Your Palate
We’ve learned pretty quickly that to make it fair, you need to reset your palate.
Keep water nearby.
Pair your tequilas with small bites like plain crackers or citrus to help clear things out between pours.
Write It Down (No, Really)
We all think we’ll remember – surely you’ll know which tequilas you like and why – but you won’t.
A few notes make all the difference. Flavors you noticed, how it felt going down, whether you’d buy it again. Simple, honest observations.
We created the Tequila Journal because we kept forgetting what we loved.
It gave us a dedicated place to track what we’re tasting, what we’re drawn to, and how our preferences evolve over time. No pressure to sound fancy—just space to pay attention and drink with intention.
Make It a Thing
You don’t need to turn every pour into a tasting. But doing this occasionally changes your relationship with tequila. You buy smarter, sip slower, and enjoy it more.
Tequila doesn’t need to be rushed. When you slow down, take a few notes, and give yourself a moment, the experience changes. That’s the whole idea behind tasting—and behind keeping a tequila journal in the first place. After all, in a world that is full of pressure and stress, tequila is our step away from it all.
Make the moment. Pour with purpose. Let it be an experience you actually remember.