What is joven tequila?

Also referred to as “gold” tequila (similar to rum), joven tequila is one of the most complicated tequila styles. While the other main types are straightforward, joven has two definitions and two very different tequilas. And you have to be careful about which one you buy.

• Since joven means “young” in Spanish, one version is a young or unaged blanco tequila blended with an older, aged tequila like a reposado or añejo tequila. This is the version most drinkers would like to purchase. If you don’t research or look closely at the label, you might spend your hard-earned money on the other, less desirable version.

• The other definition is more divisive. It’s a blanco tequila with flavors or colors added to give it a golden hue. Also known as a mixto, it’s often not made with 100% Blue Weber agave.

What does joven taste like?

For most of us, we’ve come to the most crucial part—the taste. Before we move in, it should be noted that I’m talking about the well-made, nuanced joven made with a mix of blanco and mature tequilas. Not the underwhelming mixto gold tequila.

Since it’s a mix of young and old tequilas, a high-quality joven has a balanced, multi-layered flavor profile perfect for new tequila drinkers. It’s an approachable flavor profile that features a variety of flavors, including fresh, sweet, vegetal, roasted agave, orchard fruits like apple and pear, vanilla beans, citrus flavors like lemon peel, grapefruit, and tangerine, spices like cracked black pepper, and oaky wood. It’s well-known for its delicate, mellow finish.

Joven tequilas worth trying

We have a few choices if you want to get into joven tequilas (and you don’t want to purchase some lesser-quality mixto expressions mistakenly). Great examples include:

• Casa Dragones Joven – $279.99

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