818 Blanco Tequila

818 Blanco is an unaged tequila from Jalisco, made from 100% blue Weber agave and bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). Because it sees no barrel time, the spirit in the glass is as close to the cooked agave as tequila gets. Expect a clean, bright profile: roasted agave sweetness up front, fresh citrus peel and a little black pepper or herbal green note behind it, and a crisp, dry finish. Those notes are typical of unaged blanco from the Jalisco highlands and lowlands. The details we have don't spell out this bottle's exact aroma and flavor profile, so treat them as a guide to what to look for. The blanco category sits at the start of the aging ladder. Reposado spends two months to a year in oak, añejo one to three years, and extra añejo three years or more. Each step trades agave brightness for vanilla, caramel, baking spice and a rounder texture. A blanco keeps the vegetal, citrusy edge that those barrels soften, which is why bartenders reach for it when the agave should be heard in the drink. If you want to understand what a tequila brand's raw material tastes like, the blanco is the cleanest comparison. Neat, serve it at cool room temperature in a caballito or a small tulip-shaped glass, which concentrates the aroma better than a wide tumbler. A few drops of water can open up the pepper and citrus. It also works lightly chilled or over a single large cube in a rocks glass if you prefer a gentler, colder pour. A wedge of lime or a pinch of salt is optional and tends to mask the finer agave notes, so try it plain first. In cocktails, this is the style that fits best. A Margarita built with lime juice, orange liqueur and a salted rim lets the agave show through the citrus. A Paloma, with grapefruit soda, a squeeze of lime and a salted highball glass over ice, is a lighter, more refreshing way to use it. For Ranch Water, pour a measure over ice in a tall glass, add fresh lime juice and top with sparkling mineral water. The tequila's dry, clean profile means it will not get lost, and it carries the drink without added sweetness.