When the perfect brix for fermentation is attained then the mosto is sent onto the fermentation tanks. In this process, agave fibre is pressed between a two-ton Tahona volcanic rock millstone and the riverbed stone floor of a circular pit with the stone being propelled slowly around the pit by a mechanised arm.
This slow, three-hour process releases juices which are then reabsorbed by agave fibres. The juice saturated fibres are loaded onto a conveyer by hand and sent to the fermentation tanks. The Tahona crushed agave and roller-mill crushed agave both go through long different hour fermentation processes and these long fermentations are key to producing flavoursome congeners during distillation.
Although the fermentation time is the same and both Tahona and roller-mill fermentations are in open-topped pinewood fermentation vessels, there are several key differences:. Even these larger fermenters are tiny compared to those used by most other major tequila distillers. The activity of the yeast helps drive the fibres to the surface where they float and form a crust that creates a partial seal.
The pinewood the fermentation vessels are made of imparts no flavour but the wood's pores harbour microbes and importantly the wood helps insulate against temperature extremes. These traditional wooden fermenters need replacing every five years so are expensive to maintain as well as being labour-intensive to clean between fermentations. Hence, most other major producers use stainless steel fermenters.
The acidity of the water and its mineral content are critical to the fermentation process and so the flavour of the tequila. The water is naturally soft and has a consistent mineral balance perfect for tequila production. Most other tequila distilleries buy their yeast from third-party suppliers or take the chance on naturally occurring air-bone and surface yeasts.
The benefit of copper is that it reacts with alcohol vapours in the still to sacrificially remove bad-tasting sulphur from the distillate. All the stills are steam-heated via copper serpentines in the base of each still. Think of a painting: an artist with a dozen colors to paint with has the potential of creating a much more vivid opus than if he only had a couple hues to work with.
The same goes for tequila. This variety is unmatched in the tequila game. As good as growth is, however, it can put serious stress on a brand — especially one who uses ancient and time-consuming techniques to make their product. And more fermenters, and more copper stills, etc. Their tequila-making process has become increasingly environmentally sustainable. The last stop on the Hacienda tour might have been one of the most surprising.
Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. Log out. US Markets Loading For information on how to enable Javascript on your browser click here. Difford's Guide. User Rating 1 rating. Rate Patron Silver tequila. Buy direct from. In stock. Choose your preferred shop:. The Whisky Exchange. Vintage: Non-vintage. Product of: Mexico.
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