Our Licoreria, Garcia Liquors, works hard to provide a great selection of wine, beer and spirits at very competitive prices.

We have a great variety of fresh items, milk and dairy, canned, frozen and dried goods and other kitchen and household items. Lottery tickets are also available.

Tequilas

As the Shelly West song says "Jose Cuervo, you are a friend of mine." There is a great deal more to tequila than meets the eye. Garcia Liquors offers a wide range of tequilas for you pleasure. If you would like to know more about the different types and styles of tequila this primer may help to expand your appreciation of this regional delight. The Blue Agave plants from which true tequila is made can be grown anywhere in the state of Jalisco for the production of tequila. In addition to Jalisco there are four other states where it is legal for tequila production to take place. These are Michoacan, Guanajuato and Nayarit which all border Jalisco and Tamaulipas which is located on the Mexican Gulf Coast. The production is a protected process similar to Parmigiano Reggiano cheese from Italy.

There are two broad categories when it comes to Tequila. 100 percent Agave and Mixto. 100 percent Agave is made with only the sugars from the Agave plant. Mixto is made with 51 percent Agave sugars and 49 percent of other sugars. Within these categories there are historically there are four classifications.

Tequila Blanco or Silver Tequila is clear, unaged tequila bottled shortly after distillation. Tequila Joven or Gold is also unaged but has been supplemented with colorants and flavorings and generally fall into the Mixto category.

Tequla Reposado refers to tequila that has been aged or rested. The resting process for Reposado dictates that the distilled tequila must remain in wooden casks for a period of two months but not more than 12 months. The barrels used for this process are most often made from French or white oak. The type of barrel has a definite impact on the final tequila because the tannins and resins in the casks affect the flavor and can impart nuances from one distiller to another.

Tequila Anejo is Vintage or extra-aged and by decree of the Mexican government this designation can only appear on tequilas that have been a minimum of one year in barrels with a maximum capacity of 600 liters. Typical aging of tequila anejo is between 1 and 3 years in length. Similar to wines, aging allows more complex flavors to develop and are generally darker and more smooth than tequila reposado.

These are the historic classifications of tequila but a fifth classification was created in 2005. This is Extra Anejo or Ultra-aged. Tequilas with this designation have been aged for a period of three years minimum in direct contact with Encino Oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 600 liters.
A sampling of the brands we carry: