Tequila is a spirit distilled from the blue Weber agave plant, and the main thing to know when you buy it is how long it has aged: blanco is unaged, reposado rests in oak for a short time, and añejo ages longer. At CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford, you can browse the whole tequila range online or in the store and pick the style that suits how you plan to drink it.
What is tequila, and how is it made?
Tequila is made from the blue Weber agave, a succulent that takes years to mature. The heart of the plant is cooked, crushed and fermented, then distilled. By rule, tequila comes from designated regions of Mexico, with Jalisco the best-known home of the spirit.
What ends up in the bottle depends on two things: how the agave was grown and cooked, and what happens after distilling. Some tequila goes straight into the bottle. Some rests in oak barrels first. That resting time is what separates the main styles on the shelf.
Tequila is a kind of mezcal in the broad sense of agave spirits, but the two are not the same product. Tequila uses only blue Weber agave, while mezcal can be made from many agave varieties and is often known for a smoky character. We come back to that below.
What is the difference between blanco, reposado and añejo?
The names tell you how long the tequila aged. Blanco, also called silver or plata, is unaged or rested only briefly. It tastes the most like the agave itself: bright, peppery, often a little citrusy and herbal.
Reposado means rested. It spends at least two months and less than a year in oak, which softens the edges and adds notes of vanilla and light spice while keeping plenty of agave character.
Añejo means aged. It spends one to three years in oak, so it is smoother and deeper, with caramel and baking-spice flavors. If you want to read more on this style, we wrote a separate piece: añejo tequila: what it is and where to find bottles.
The oldest tier is extra añejo, aged more than three years. It is usually poured neat, the way you would serve an aged brandy or whiskey.
Tequila we stock
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What does 100% agave mean on a tequila label?
Tequila can be made two ways. A 100% agave tequila gets all of its sugar from the agave plant. A mixto only has to be at least 51% agave sugar, with the rest coming from other sources.
Both are legal tequila, and both have a place. A bottle labeled 100% agave tends to show more of the plant's flavor, which matters when you sip it or want a clean margarita. A mixto is a fine base for a party batch where the tequila will be blended with juice and other ingredients.
Check the label when you shop. If it says 100% agave, it will say so clearly on the front or back. If you are not sure what you are looking at, ask at the counter and we will go through the bottles with you.
Which tequila should you buy for sipping, and which for margaritas?
For sipping, most people reach for reposado or añejo. The oak gives a rounder, gentler drink that works neat or with a single large ice cube. A good blanco can also be sipped if you like a lively, peppery spirit.
For margaritas, palomas and other citrus drinks, blanco is the usual pick. Its clean agave flavor holds up against lime and grapefruit. Reposado makes a margarita with a warmer, slightly richer edge, which some people prefer in cooler months.
A simple rule: the more other flavors in the glass, the more a blanco makes sense. The fewer, the more an aged bottle repays the extra attention. Pick up mixers at the same time so the glass is covered, from soda for a paloma to the rest of what a margarita needs.
Which tequila bottles does CBC Liquors carry?
The tequila shelf at our Westford store and on our website includes a range of familiar names. CASAMIGOS Blanco Tequila and CASAMIGOS Reposado Tequila let you compare unaged and rested tequila from the same maker side by side, which is a good way to taste the difference oak makes.
For another blanco, there is ESPOLON Blanco Tequila and LALO Blanco Tequila. Tasting two blancos next to each other shows you how much character can vary within one style.
If you are planning mixed drinks for a group, we also carry Jose Cuervo Gold Especial and Jose Cuervo Silver Especial. Stock changes, so the category page always shows what is on the shelf right now.
What about cristalino, mezcal and flavored tequila?
Cristalino is aged tequila, typically añejo or extra añejo, that has been filtered to remove its color. You get the smooth, rounded flavor of aging in a clear spirit, which many people like for sipping.
Mezcal is the other agave spirit worth knowing. The agave is traditionally roasted in earthen pits, which is where the smoky flavor comes from. It works in cocktails or neat, and it makes a good gift for someone who already likes tequila and wants to try something different.
Flavored tequila is a separate shelf for bottles with added flavors. These are usually meant for easy mixed drinks or shots rather than careful sipping. If you want to browse a few categories at once, our Got Tequila? collection pulls them together.
How do you serve and store tequila?
Serve blanco in a margarita, a paloma, or simply with lime and soda. Serve reposado and añejo neat or over a large cube in a short glass, so the aromas have room to open up. A small tulip-shaped glass works well for the aged styles.
Store bottles upright, away from heat and direct sunlight. Unlike wine, tequila does not need to lie on its side, and an unopened bottle will keep its character for a long time. Once opened, a tightly closed bottle is fine for months, though the flavor slowly softens with air.
As with any spirit, enjoy it at your own pace and plan your ride home before you go out.
How can you buy tequila from CBC Liquors in Westford?
You can walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford. We are open Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours, so you can order ahead and collect.
We also offer delivery and shipping. Delivery hours are Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. See the delivery areas page, or look at the pages for nearby towns such as Chelmsford, Acton and Littleton.
Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews. If you cannot decide between a blanco and a reposado, ask at the counter and we will help you choose. Our wider liquor section covers everything else for the bar.
Common questions
What is the difference between blanco and reposado tequila?
Blanco is unaged or rested only briefly, so it tastes of fresh agave. Reposado rests in oak for two months to under a year, which adds softness and light vanilla and spice notes.
What does 100% agave mean?
It means all the sugar used to make the tequila came from blue Weber agave. A mixto only needs to be at least 51% agave sugar.
Which tequila is best for margaritas?
Blanco is the usual choice because its clean, peppery agave flavor works with lime. Reposado gives a warmer, slightly richer margarita.
Is mezcal the same as tequila?
No. Tequila uses only blue Weber agave, while mezcal can be made from many agave varieties and is often smoky.
Does CBC Liquors offer pickup and delivery for tequila?
Yes. CBC Liquors in Westford offers pickup, delivery and shipping, as well as walk-in shopping at 142 Littleton Rd.
