Tequila & Mezcal

Tequila is the national drink of Mexico and this luxuriously, usually golden but sometime silver, elixir is loved and adored the world over. We have a stunning selection of tequila and authentic tasting mezcals available to order online for the lowest price. We guarantee it. We're too lazy to set our own prices so we just scour and hunt everywhere to find the lowest prices available everywhere else and then we match them. This way both you and we win. You get the cheapest price on your favourite tequila; we don't have worry about setting prices and doing too much maths. Areeba!

Here we'll take you through our available line of excellent tequila and mezcals, give you a brief understanding of the history of this world-renowned liquor, let you know the best ways to enjoy it and the exact difference between tequila and mezcal. Don your sombrero and let's get started.

Where tequila actually comes from

This is a pretty easy one because tequila actually comes from Tequila. This town is located in the central western Mexican state of Jalisco. According to Mexican law, tequila can only be legally produced in very specific areas of Mexico and through some complex international agreements, everyone else in the world has stuck to the Mexican law as well. In this way, tequila remains a protected spirit with very specific and tightly controlled production rules. You'll also find that because of these tightly controlled regulations, many brands of tequila all come from the same distillery. You can check the NOM serial number on the bottle to double check if you're really that bothered to see where which tequila produced actually comes from where.

What is tequila of?

Here is where we get into the difference between tequila and a mezcal. In order for tequila to be so called it must only be distilled from the blue agave plant common to the area in which it is produced. A mezcal, on the other hand, does not need to be only distilled from the blue agave but is essentially the same kind of liquor being a distilled spirit from the agave plant family. There are also some differences in the distillation process which should be noted and shortly explained.

When genuine tequila is made, the blue agave head is baked in an above-ground oven while mezcal producers will opt for the more traditional in-ground oven pits traditionally heated with lava. The story of tequila is that one day the Spanish Conquistadors ran out of brandy, so they chose a blue agave plant to distil alcohol from instead. They used the above-ground oven method and so that is now how you prepare the blue agave for distilling for genuine tequila.

The different types of agave tequila are generally classified by the aging process which they have undergone.

Abacado, which is also known as blanco or silver tequila, is an un-aged style taken and bottled immediately after distilling. The Calle 23 Criollo tequila is no named after the particular blue agave it is made from. Noticeably smaller than most other mature agave plants, the particular concentration of sugars in the criollo results in a vibrant high proof of 49.3% ABV and is perfect for sipping. Jose Cuervo is one of the most popular brands of tequila and they, too, have a silver from the master distillers at La Rojea called the Especial.

The next is the reposado which loosely translates as rested'. This type is aged in usually French oak barrels for between two and 12 months. This type is usually a very light coloured straw yellow and often described as both sweet and spicy with hints of vanilla and caramel.

The anejo aged tequila is barrel aged for between one and three years and is more like the golden tequilas you're used to see in all of the spaghetti westerns. Our collection of anejo tequila includes Don Julio aged in American oak barrels and carrying with the natural agave strikes a wood and vanilla note. While Patron Anejo is a delicate blend of aged tequila bottled in recycled glass bottles and numbered by hand. This is truly personally design tequila taste of honey, caramel, oakwood and raisins and is perfect for sipping.

Finally, the extra aejo tequila is a relatively new style and concept and refers to tequila aged for over three years.

What to mix with tequila?

The general rule of thumb when it comes to drinking tequila goes like this: silver or blanco tequila with mixers and in cocktails, and aged tequila like golden tequilas for sipping neat. Of course, like all rules of thumb, this is far too general and should probably, as a general rule of thumb, be ignored. There are plenty of delicate sipping blancos to choose from and a range of golden styles that complement a cocktail or a dozen beautifully.

The silver tequila styles are perfect for margaritas and other fruity cocktails, being especially good paired with citrus flavours. For a twist on the traditional margarita recipe choose a blood orange and cinnamon style using fresh lime juice, fresh bloody orange juice, cinnamon syrup and a slice of your blood orange to garnish. Strain over ice and enjoy. For a smooth vanilla tone, swap out the silver tequila for a reposado.

Fans of the Moscow Mule can now experiment their favourite flavours with an El Diablo. Made from tequila blanco, me de cassis, fresh lime juice and ginger beer, pour it over ice in a Collins glass and garnish with a strawberry and a lemon wedge.

If we're staying classic, then we might as well go classy with the Baccarat Rouge. Using a reposado, passionfruit juice, a dash of allspice, lime juice and amaro, this stylish little cocktail is garnished with a candied hibiscus flower for a final flourish.

Returning to the absolute classics, you can't go past a Tequila Sunrise. Using orange juice, your choice of tequila, a dash of grenadine and served in a tall, icy glass, this absolute winner has been thrilling poolside drinkers since the 1970's and still continues to deliver a fresh and fruity taste.

When people think of tequila, however, they often think of shots with a wedge of lemon or lime and a teaspoon of salt. Or the infamous Tequila Slammer. This particular cocktail consists of a shot of tequila your choice and something fizzy like lemonade or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, champagne. You mix the two in a rocks glass, hold your palm over the glass and slam the bottom into the bar. The result is an instant fizz which can only be contained by shotting the contents of your rocks glass. Tequila, slammed. We would highly recommend a delicate sipping tequila instead because the subtle and sensational tones of this versatile and distinctive liquor should always be savoured and enjoyed, not devoured. Not every time, at least.

What does tequila taste like?

The taste of tequila is really dependent upon the style that you're drinking and how it has been aged or distilled, in what it was aged and for how long. Silver Patron, for example, is a blanco known for its high citrusy flavour making it perfect for sipping and for mixing with like flavours. The more aged varieties are known for their smokiness, their oaky flavours and their commonly found overtones of both vanilla and caramel without losing the signature spice that makes tequila so special and unique.

Our selection of flavoured tequila varieties includes the 1800 coconut infused silver great on the rocks or with a dash of pineapple juice, and the Sesion Tequila Mocha from former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins and husband Jake Wall is a particular dessert delight. Offering notes of chocolate fondant, biscuits, bread dough and dark roasted coffee with a signature agave note.

Whatever you're looking for whether it's summer cocktails by the pool, smooth jazzy bar side cocktails, a sipping liquor for quite moments or a slamming good time we have a tequila and a mezcal perfect for what you're looking for. Choose from tailored and bespoke blends, handcrafted from Mexico's finest distilleries, pick up the perfect mixing tequila for homemade margaritas and pyjama party night. Good tequila makes for an excellent gift, too.

By joining the Bottle Stop family, you can opt to personalise you account giving us a general idea of the kinds of drinks you like and what you might be interested in exploring. We will tailor your shopping experience to introduce brands and styles from our entire range include gin, beer, rum, whiskey and vodka, that we think you'll love, invite you to try what we're currently drinking, and generally try to share the amazing good vibes of a fast delivery of your favourite drinks direct to your door. Did we mention that we guarantee the lowest price available? If you find anything on our website for cheaper somewhere else, we will match it. Just send us the details here and let us do the rest.

Bottle Stop

Whatever you love to drink, you'll find it available to order online at Bottle Stop and conveniently delivered to your door anywhere in Australia. If it's the best beer from your favourite producers or boutique operations carefully crafting their own signature tastes, you'll find it at Bottle Stop. If you're a wine drinker, browse our extensive selection of wineries, varietals and blends. Our selection of spirits and liqueurs include the big name producers that everybody knows as loves as well as tasty varieties sourced from the finest producing regions around the world.

Our entire range of alcohol is available to order online for the lowest prices. We guarantee it. We don't set our prices; we just match the lowest ones on offer found anywhere in Australia. If you find our stock listed for a lower price anywhere else, then we'll match it. We also offer online-only prices that no one else can match across all of your favourites.

We are home to Australia's largest collections of craft and boutique producers which means that our range of beer, wine, spirits and liqueurs include selections plucked from the finest producers tinkering away quietly, developing the best craft beers, the smoothest whisky, in both local and far-off places that the big name alcohol distributors have never heard of. If you let us know what you like to drink, then we can personalise your shopping experience on Bottle Stop. We'll suggest recommendations that we know you'll love based on what we're drinking and loving too.

We are always open so you can enjoy ordering online 24/7. Delivery covers all of Australia with expected arrivals in the capital cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane within 3 to 5 business days. We are always looking to improve our delivery options and are constantly improving arrival times in more capital cities so you can get the best tasting beverages that you love delivered even faster.