Discover the Allure of Tequila with a Visit to the Distilleries

What is Tequila?

Tequila, one of the world’s four major spirits, is gaining popularity even in Japan. Although it is now recognized as an alcoholic beverage, Tequila is actually a place name. It is situated approximately 515 kilometers northwest of Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, or about 610 kilometers by land route. To put it into perspective, it is over 100 kilometers farther than the distance between Tokyo and Osaka.

Tequila has become synonymous with “strong spirits,” and in Japan, it’s sometimes used as a penalty in games (laughs). However, once you witness the scenic agave fields and the distilleries of Tequila, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll find it too valuable to be used as a mere game punishment.

Regarding its origin, there are various theories, and archaeologically, the exact truth remains unknown. Three main theories exist. One suggests that even during the pre-Hispanic era of Mesoamerica before the arrival of the Spanish in 1519, the sweet liquid extracted from maguey (agave) was fermented into alcohol and further distilled, creating Tequila. In the Mezcal Museum of Oaxaca, you can find ancient clay stills from that period. The second theory argues that the Mesoamerican era lacked such distillation techniques, and it was the Spanish who brought the distillation equipment from Europe, leading to the birth of Vino Mezcal, which eventually evolved into Tequila. The third theory suggests that the distillation technique was introduced to central-western Mexico by Filipino sailors aboard the trade ship “Galeón de Manila” during the colonial period of Nueva España. While the first type of clay still has been replicated in shape, its functionality is not proven, leading me to believe in the second or third theory. The true origin remains a mystery…

 

A bit far from popular tourist destinations…

If you’re thinking, “I’d love to go to Mexico, but Tequila is a bit far west, and it’s not feasible to reach from places like Guanajuato or San Miguel de Allende,” don’t give up! If you can spare one more day, it’s perfectly feasible to include Tequila in your itinerary. With a two-night, three-day trip, you can combine Querétaro, Guanajuato, and San Miguel de Allende, making your travel route more fulfilling and cost-effective. For those concerned about long car journeys, you can return to Mexico City from Guadalajara Airport, where my staff can pick you up. This way, on the following day, we can guide you to other tourist destinations like the Cacti Valley, Oaxaca region, Taxco, or mountain climbing.

 

Different types of Tequila distilleries

There are approximately 28 distilleries in Tequila, but most of them have undergone modernization, with metal tanks and mechanized production inside the factories. In our case, we deliberately take you to a distillery where almost all processes are done manually (please note that depending on the schedule, it might not be possible to witness the actual distillation process, but you will still be allowed inside the factory). We also offer direct sales of Tequila, including some brands that are still rare in Japan.

People often ask, “What is the difference between Tequila and Mezcal?” If you’re interested, I recommend visiting a Mezcal distillery in Oaxaca, one of the major production areas of Mezcal. Unlike Tequila, there are fewer distilleries that have been modernized, allowing you to witness the manual distillation process and enjoy tastings of various Mezcal varieties.

 

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Especially recommended for…

Of course, everyone else is more than welcome as well!