Most people are introduced to tequila early in their drinking life in the form of a shot. It’s something that you and your friends swallow down as quickly as possible as it burns your esophagus. If you’ve never explored tequila beyond that, you’re missing out.
There are many artisanal producers who work with agave farms to produce high-quality traditional Tequila. These spirits are good for sipping, not just shooting. In recent years, Tequila 512 out of Austin Texas has become a major contender in the US Tequila market.
Their line-up currently features three tequilas with different characteristics.
Tequila 512: An Introduction
One of the oldest drinks of the Americas, tequila is an internationally protected designation carefully overseen by the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico. Tequila is made from fermenting and then distilling the agave plant, known for its potent sweetness.
Mezcal is another liquor from the region, also made from agave. This can lead to some confusion over the difference between the two. It really comes down to specificity. Mezcal can describe any agave-based spirit, but Tequila is only made with blue Weber agave.
Tequila, therefore, can be categorized as a type of mezcal. Many mezcals are made by roasting the agave plant to impart a smoky flavor, but Tequila makers steam the blue Weber agave to develop the plant’s subtle flavors.
Tequila has gone in and out of international popularity for hundreds of years, but the development of many tequila-based cocktails in the 20th century has ensured its place as a bar staple.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Tequila
Legally, Tequila can range anywhere from 35% alcohol to 55%, or 70 to 110 proof. Higher-proof tequila tends to have a sharper, more intense flavor, while lower-proof varieties offer a smoother profile.
What Is the History of Tequila 512?
The Olmec people began fermenting agave in approximately 1000 B.C. This drink had significant importance within their religious rituals. Similarly, pulque, the fermented agave juice, was beloved by the Aztecs.
During the 15th and 16th century, Spain set about colonizing large swathes of South and Central America. Sadly, much of the local culture was lost or destroyed during this period, but the Spaniards developed a taste for the agave liquor.
Larger commercial distilling businesses were established throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 20th century, tequila-based cocktails came into popularity thanks to the Prohibition period.
Then, in the 1970s, the term “Tequila” became a protected designation (similar to “champagne”), ensuring that other countries and regions couldn’t produce a similar product and call it tequila. This has kept the drink distinctly Mexican and carefully regulated, though it continues to grow in popularity in the US and abroad.
Tequila 512’s story started in 2006 when Austin transplant Scott Willis. After facing disappointments in the music industry, he decided that tequila might be his calling. A trip to Guadalajara provided the networking and research he needed to get the brand off the ground.
The brand received a major boost when in 2015, their original tequila blanco won Double Gold in the blind taste test at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The liquor also won the coveted Best In Show award that year.
Where Is Tequila 512 From?
Tequila is believed to have originated with the Olmec people, Mexico’s oldest civilization. This was in what is now Southeastern Mexico. Now, thanks to tequila being in a protected class, its production is restricted to specific regions. Most of it comes from the city of tequila and its surrounding areas.
Tequila 512’s agave is sourced from the tequila Valley in Jalisco, Mexico, the epicenter of Tequila production, while the company is based in Austin Texas. Texas is one of the leading US consumers of tequila, but had few local tequila labels before 512 launched.
Their agave is sourced from the central lowlands of tequila country. The distillery is located in a mango grove with access to a spring of fresh volcanic water that they use in the production. This results in a slightly sweeter taste.
When Was Tequila 512 Created?
The kind of tequila we know today, that of a distilled clear spirit, wasn’t developed until invading Spaniards brought distillation with them during the 15th and 16th centuries. This turned traditional fermented pulque into hard liquor. The special designation for determining whether a liquor is mezcal or tequila is fairly modern with the copyright for the term coming in 1974.
In 2012, Tequila 512 launched their first product, a tequila blanco. After their major success at the World Spirits Competition, the brand continued to grow and they now offer three varieties of Tequila in the Texas market, but also all throughout the US.
What Types of Tequila 512 Are There?
Despite the restrictions around tequila as a copyrighted term, there are still several distinct varieties that are recognized. Tequila 512 currently offers 3 styles of Tequila as part of their lineup.
Blanco
Tequila blanco is a fresh, triple distilled tequila that is bottled after minimal aging. 512’s Blanco is their flagship spirit that brought home a ton of awards shortly after it hit the market.
The main tasting notes are vegetal grassy flavors like fresh cucumber and mint, creamy vanilla notes, and spicy pepper flavors. The sweet agave notes are also present in both the aroma and taste of this tequila. It’s very smooth on the palate, making it perfect to sip neat or on the rocks, but also great for mixed drinks.
Reposado
Reposado tequilas are “rested” or aged for anywhere from 2 months to one year in oak or steel barrels to develop a different set of characteristics. Tequila 512 rests their Reposado for 6 months inside charred bourbon casks for a rich aroma and flavor.
The aging process in bourbon casks develops a much stronger peppery taste in the tequila combined with the powerful aromas of oak, caramel, and vanilla that are also reflected in the taste. The effect is a smooth, sweet, and rich Tequila with a long warm finish.
It’s great for drinking alone or adding to cocktails where you might typically reach for something like cognac, thanks to its complex sweetness.
VIEW PRODUCT ON TEQUILA 512'S SITE
Añejo
Meaning “old,” añejo tequilas are aged for up to three years to further enrich their flavors, typically in wood barrels. Tequila 512 ages their añejo tequila for over a year in the same charred bourbon barrels.
As you might expect, this is their deepest and most complex tequila. The oak, pepper, and vanilla flavors developed in the reposado are further deepened from the longer aging process. More fruit, citrus, and herbal notes also have time to develop. It has a slightly drier, less sweet finish than the other Tequilas.
VIEW PRODUCT ON TEQUILA 512'S SITE
What Ingredients Are in Tequila 512?
While Tequila 512, like many spirit makers, does not publish a comprehensive ingredients list for each of their tequilas, we do have some insight into their production process.
For the spirit’s base, they use 100% agave (more than the required 51% by law) combined with volcanic spring water local to their distilling location. The natural minerals help create their tequila’s signature taste.
The tequila is triple-distilled after the fermentation process, and then goes through a 24-hour filtration process. This is meant to remove impurities, smoothing out the flavor without harming the taste of the agave. The brand also includes a period of oxygenation in the production to improve the mouthfeel of the tequila.
For their reposado and añejo tequilas, they use oak barrels that were previously used in the production of bourbon. They age them in a mango grove, letting the unique environment help develop the aroma and taste of the tequila.
Legally speaking, the only flavor additives allowed by the Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico are ones that naturally occur during the process of distilling and aging tequila, such as oak extract and sugar based sweetener. Any additives must account for less than 1% of the total volume of the liquor.
Many tequila producers will use small amounts of the approved additives to help keep their flavors consistent between batches. Tequila 512 does not officially state that they use any additives, but they are not included in lists of additive-free brands, so they may use one or more of the approved additives to improve the taste and texture.
How Much Does Tequila 512 Usually Cost?
Despite the accolades the brand has received and the high-end drinking experience they provide, Tequila 512 liquors fall in the mid-range price-wise. Blanco is their most affordable tequila, since it has the shortest production time. An individual 750ml bottle currently retails for $42.99, but buying a multipack can drop the cost significantly.
Reposado goes for $60.99, and añejo, $70.99 currently. These varieties take into account the cost of the charred oak bourbon barrels and the extra aging time in the cost.
Some bars are starting to stock tequila 512 as their popularity grows. In this case, you may be able to sample the liquor before committing to adding it to your home bar. You can expect that whether solo or in a mixed drink, there will probably be an upcharge for the aged varieties.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Tequila 512?
Thanks to the production process, all of the varieties from Tequila 512 can be enjoyed as sippers, neat or on the rocks. It really depends on your personal preference. That being said, they can really improve many of your favorite cocktails as well.
Tequila blanco is best in drinks like a paloma or margarita that focuses on bright, fresh citrus flavors. Reposado can feature in those drinks, but the spicy sweetness makes it ideal as a cognac stand-in, creating a modern twist on classic cocktails like a sidecar.
Tequila añejo’s deeper, more caramelized flavor is also suited to traditional cognac or whiskey cocktails like an old fashioned or a Manhattan.
As a general rule, the more aged the liquor, the more likely it’s intended to be consumed alone. For many people, adding a splash of water or some ice helps open up many of the more delicate and subtle notes. Enjoy experimenting to find how you like it best.
How to Choose a Good Tequila 512
As with most liquors, there are high and low-end versions. In the world of tequila, Tequila 512 has established itself as a company that makes excellent quality, but accessible tequila. After running away with the coveted Best in Show prize at the World Spirits Competition in 2015, they’ve continued to focus on affordably priced artisanal Tequila.
With their reposado and añejo styles of tequila appearing on the market, you have more options to choose from. Deciding which of the three you want to try largely depends on how you intend to drink it and what your previous experience with Tequila is.
Beginners may prefer the tequila blanco with its smoother and more mild taste that’s perfect for cocktails. If you are pivoting from the world of whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch, you might find the aged varieties more to your taste.
Where Can You Find Tequila 512?
If you’re in Texas, you’re likely to find Tequila 512 in your local bars, especially in Austin, where the brand has become a sort of mascot of the city (512 is Austin’s area code, after all). The brand is slowly making more headway in the rest of the US market, where mainly their tequila blanco is being sold.
If it’s not available at a bar or liquor store near you, you might try ordering it online. More online options are available directly from the brand and through other sites.
Tequila 512 FAQs
Since Tequila 512 is a newer player on the Tequila scene, people have a lot of questions about the brand.
Is Tequila 512 Made in Austin?
While the company is based in Austin, the drink is produced in the central lowlands of Mexico. This is in line with the legal requirements for any drink calling itself “tequila.”
Who Makes Tequila 512?
Unlike many large companies that are owned by a major producer, Tequila 512 is still a small operation founded and owned by Scott Willis in Austin, Texas.
When Did Tequila 512 Come Out?
Tequila 512’s Blanco variety first appeared on the market in Texas in 2012. Since then, they’ve released reposado and añejo as well.
Give Tequila 512 a Shot
If you’ve been looking to get more into Tequilas or if you’re already a fan searching for new brands, Tequila 512 is a high quality brand at an approachable price point. Their hometown Austin story, along with the long tradition of tequila making combine to make a delicious spirit that’s perfect alone or mixed.
Now, with their aged varieties, you can explore and deepen your knowledge, as well as your palate. In reality though, sip, don’t shoot.
If you're still torn on which spirit to start with, we recommend their flagship blanco.
