Ahh!! Tequila

Yes back to the old theme.  It was time to venture out of Guadalajara for an excursion to Tequila. There are a number of tourist trips from Guadalajara to Tequila that include an all inclusive train trip (all you can drink, eat accompanied by a Mariarchi Band, or there is the bus in the shape of a tequila bottle!! (can you imagine driving along the country road in this!!!).  or you could just catch the local bus for around $5.  We decided to opt for the latter as it was more fitting to our budget.

After a very slow trip we finally arrived in the cute little pueblo of Tequila.  As our time was limited our first stop was the Tequila distillery to book in for a tour and then proceed to a nearby restaurant for a quick bite.

After a delicious lunch of burridos con pollo y mole (chocolate and chili sauce), washed down with a ceveza.We headed back to the distillery to start our tour.  After a short film on the history of the production of tequila in Mexico we were guided through the huge vats of tequila in its different stages of production.

At the end of the tour we took the option of a tasting session.  My friend and I were the only two to take this option, so our guide took us to this very elaborate room with a long table.  At the end of the table three places were set each with 5 glasses, and five bottles of diffent tequila's were in the centre.  Our guide proceeded to show us the intricacies of smelling and tasting the different types of tequila.

First we had to tip the glass on its side and pop the tip of our tongue into the liquid.  (??). Evidently the tip of your tongue is where the taste buds are for savouring the realy flavour of Tequila! Then we were shown how to swirl the tequilia in the glass and to observe the ring that it formed around the middle of the glass, and the way the drops slowly slid back down into the bottom of the glass.  (The slower it did this the better the tequila).  Wow!! when are we going to get to taste this stuff!!

Ah!! now we are getting to it.  Our guide then told us to tip the glass  sideways, to take a big breath, clear out nose  and then sniff the bottom of the glass, then the middle and then the top!!! (still no tasting!!!).  Actually, this was very interesting, as in each section the aroma was quite different.  Now we are ready for tasting!!

Deep breath!! and sip!! swirl the liquid around your mouth to the back and front!! Savour it!! our guide advised.  Yes finally we are getting to the real thing.   We proceeded to follow this routine as we savoured 5 different types of tequila and of course unfortunately for me the one I liked best was the last one.  (Of course this was the most expensive).  Actually, it was a very interesting experience and I learnt a lot more about the production and history of tequila and the many different types available.

To finish off our tour on a good note our guide showed us to their bar and provided us with a complementary margarita!!! Delicous. 
 

To conclude our day in Tequila we ventured down to the centre of town and checked out the church and a couple of the little tourist shops before catching the local bus back to Guadalajara.