Knowing the ins and outs of a food makes you appreciate it even more. If you’re a huge tequila aficionado and want to have that level of knowledge, you need to check out Jalisco.
This western Mexican state is where most of the tequila you sip on comes from, and the agave farmers here take pride in turning their sweet plants into the popular spirit. If you find yourself in Guadalajara, Jalisco’s capital, you have a unique opportunity to dive deep into the world of tequila by visiting these farms and distilleries in person.
What you want to look for is the ‘Jose Cuervo Express,’ a tequila train that runs between Guadalajara and Tequila, the birthplace of the agave-based liquor. No matter what package you purchase prior to boarding, there’s a variety of tasting opportunities on the two-hour ride.
Hosts guide you on how to identify the different notes of tequila in a special tasting. Guests sample different tequilas based on their point in the aging process, from light tequila to the “rested” reposado and the vintage anejo.
If you want to get more creative with your drinks, head to the open bar. They use tequila to create a variety of beverages, from classic drinks like margaritas to customized drinks per your request.
To go with your spirits is a round platter of traditional Mexican antojitos, or appetizers. Beans, guacamole, carnitas, and cheese are just some of the items available.
Once you arrive in Tequila, you can visit the vast Jose Cuervo agave fields to see the plants in person. You can also see a live demonstration of how the agave is cut to properly make tequila.
The train schedule allows for time to visit the city of Tequila itself, as well as the Jose Cuervo distillery. A tour takes you through the step-by-step process of making the spirit, and you can sample more of it as well as the oven-cooked agave to differentiate between the two.
The experience is the ultimate day trip for tequila lovers, as it’s a full immersion into the process of the beverage from start to finish.
Created in partnership with Visit Guadalajara
