by Robert Giles

This party idea combines the easy yet flavorful taco night with a delicious and enlightening tequila tasting.

Here are some ideas on what to serve and explanations as to why these pairings work so well. Remember to celebrate responsibly.

You may see this listed under a few different names like Blanco, Plata, or silver. This is the purest expression of the blue agave spirit.

Aged in stainless steel tanks, usually for a period of four weeks, this will generally be the strongest flavored expression with floral, fruit, vanilla, and pepper notes.

Most often you will want to pair this al pastor tacos or if you are using a fruit flavored salsa.

A tequila with this label has spent between two and eleven months in oak barrels. The barrels used are most often going to be former bourbon barrels and impart some of the characteristic oak flavors bourbon drinkers are familiar with.

While the fruit and floral notes will be less apparent the notes of vanilla will become stronger. Often you will find small hints of baking spices such as cinnamon on the finish.

Pair this with grilled meat tacos such as skirt steak or fish.

These tequilas have spent at least one full year or up to three years aging in oak barrels. The trick for the producers is to blend the extra barrel flavors without completely overpowering the agave.

At this stage the fruit notes of the agave are more of a complement to the vanilla and caramel notes that will be more prevalent. There is more of a shift into hints of cloves and allspice with some producers being able to coax notes of chocolate and honey.

This would be a tequila to pair up with lighter meats to let the tequila shine through, think white fish tacos or fajita style pork.

No matter which way you go make sure that you let the tequila shine on its own. Served simply over ice is the best way to catch all the flavors on display.

If you do wish to add something to enhance the flavor a small squeeze of lime would be the best route.