Espolon tequila: blanco, reposado and añejo

Espolon is a 100% blue agave tequila sold as three expressions: blanco, reposado and añejo. CBC Liquors in Westford carries all three, and you can see them on our Espolon brand page. Below is how they differ, which one suits a margarita or a slow pour, and how to get a bottle from us by pickup, delivery or shipping.

What is Espolon tequila?

Espolon is a tequila brand made from blue Weber agave, the only plant that can be used for tequila. The label reads 100% agave, which means every bit of the sugar that gets fermented comes from the agave plant and not from added cane or corn sugar. That is the standard most people look for when they want a tequila that tastes of agave and not of sweetness or additives.

Tequila itself is a protected spirit from Mexico, made mostly in the state of Jalisco and a few other designated regions. The agave is cooked, crushed, fermented and distilled, and what happens after distilling decides which style ends up in the bottle.

Espolon comes in three of those styles, and we carry each of them. You can browse all of them together on the Espolon page, or look at the wider tequila section if you want to compare it with other brands on the shelf.

What is the difference between Espolon blanco, reposado and añejo?

The difference is time in wood. A blanco is bottled right after distilling, or after a very short rest, so it tastes the way the agave tastes: peppery, citrusy, a little herbal and clean. A reposado rests in oak for at least two months and under a year. An añejo is aged in oak for at least one year, and tequila rules allow up to three.

As a rule, the longer a tequila sits in oak, the more the flavor moves from fresh agave toward vanilla, caramel, baking spice and toast. The color deepens too, from clear to pale gold to amber. None of this makes one better than another. It makes them suited to different jobs.

The three bottles we carry are ESPOLON Blanco Tequila, ESPOLON Reposado Tequila and ESPOLON Anejo Tequila. If you want to see other bottles in the same styles, we have a blanco page and a reposado page too.

Which Espolon is best for a margarita?

For most margaritas, start with the blanco. Because it has not picked up flavor from oak, it lets the agave and the citrus come through, and it does not fight with the other ingredients. A classic margarita is just tequila, fresh citrus juice and a liqueur, shaken with ice and served in a glass with or without a salted rim. Simple recipes like this show off the tequila, so the bottle matters.

The same goes for other citrus-forward tequila drinks. A tequila and soda with a squeeze of citrus is about as plain as a drink gets, and a blanco handles it well. The ESPOLON Blanco Tequila is the one to reach for when the glass is going to be cold and bright.

If you like a margarita that is a little rounder and warmer, swap in the reposado. The light oak adds a hint of vanilla and spice that works nicely with a touch of sweetness. You will notice the difference side by side, and it is worth trying both once to see which you prefer.

Which Espolon is best for sipping?

If you want to drink tequila neat, the reposado and the añejo are the natural choices. The time in oak softens the edges and adds the flavors people usually look for in a sipping spirit, including caramel, vanilla and a little spice. Pour a small measure into a glass with a narrow rim, let it sit for a minute and take your time with it.

The ESPOLON Reposado Tequila sits in the middle. It keeps some of the agave character of the blanco and adds a gentle oak finish, so it is a good first step if you usually drink tequila in cocktails and want to try it straight.

The ESPOLON Anejo Tequila is the deepest of the three, and the one most people treat like a whiskey: slow, in a small glass, maybe with a single large ice cube. If you already enjoy bourbon, the añejo is a tequila that tends to feel familiar, because the oak aging brings similar vanilla and toasted notes.

How should you serve and pair Espolon tequila?

Blanco is usually served cold or in a mixed drink, and it pairs well with fresh, bright food: ceviche, grilled fish, tacos, guacamole, anything with citrus and herbs. The clean, peppery edge cuts through richness and holds up to chile heat.

Reposado goes well with grilled chicken, pork, roasted vegetables and dishes with a touch of smoke or sweetness. The oak makes it a bit more at home beside cooked, savory food than the blanco.

Añejo works best after the meal, or with food that is rich and slow-cooked, such as braised meats. Some people also like it beside dark chocolate or a plate of nuts and dried fruit. Serve it at room temperature, since cold dulls the aroma that the aging has built up.

Whichever you choose, tequila is best enjoyed slowly and in company. Keep water on the table, and make sure everyone has a safe way home.

What else can you add to the same order?

If you are buying a bottle to make cocktails, it helps to grab the rest at the same time. Our mixers page shows what is in stock right now, and the liqueur page does the same for liqueurs, which a classic margarita calls for.

If you are stocking up for a gathering and want something ready to pour that does not need mixing, the ready-to-drink and seltzers pages are worth a look. For beer drinkers in the group, the lager and easy drinking beer pages cover the lighter side, and you can browse wine as well.

Planning something bigger? Our party planner page is there to help you think through what you will need before you order.

How do you get Espolon from CBC Liquors in Westford?

You can walk into the shop at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours, so you can order ahead and collect when you arrive.

We also offer delivery. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. We serve Westford and nearby towns, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Billerica and Lowell. The delivery areas page lists every town. Shipping is available too, and our shipping policy explains how it works.

With 4,624 products in stock across 1,893 brands, the shop has plenty to go with a bottle of tequila, and our customers rate us 4.7 out of 5 across 339 Google reviews. If you have a question about what is on the shelf today, the Espolon page shows our current stock.