Tequila: Jose Cuervo

Jose Cuervo brand tequila, is the most likely brand of tequila for you to be served, if you happen to be at a bar in the USA. Actually, it is the most likely brand for you to be served at any bar in the world, as it happens to be the best selling of all tequila brands. The company has a long history in Mexico, and the producers claim that they were the first to historically produce the drink. Incredibly, their time in the industry as creators of tequila, dates to the period of Mexico's colonization by the Spanish.

In 1758, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Antonio de Cuervo built an agave farm, according to their history. After successful farming for 37 years, the Spanish crown (which still controlled the region) gave the family permission to begin distilling tequila; with a factory built on the property, they began production. Their wares were exported to the United States in 1873, and the official Jose Cuervo name was created in 1900. The company is still owned and run by descendents of the original farmers to this day.

Aficionados will know that tequila is sold in two varieties: 'Mixtos', is a mix of the spirit with sugars and other ingredients, while the 100% agave type appeals to connoisseurs. It is mostly sold and served as mixto, the way the majority enjoy Jose Cuervo tequila; 51% of it is fermented from the agave, but the other 49% is made from other sugar sources. This is a more economical arrangement. However, the brand does have two lines of pure stuff: Tradicional, and Reserva Familia.

With the popularity of tequila on the party scene, it's no wonder that there have been several songs written about this famous gold-colored alcohol. A number-one hit on the Billboard Country music chart, country singer Shelly West released 'Jose Cuervo' in 1983. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who drinks too much tequila and awakens Sunday morning, wondering what she did all night.

Another Billboard top hit on the country charts came in 2002, with the release of Tracy Byrd's upbeat single 'Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo'. It also peaked at number 26 on the mainstream charts, making it a decent crossover success. Its story follows a despondent young man whose heart has just been broken. As he sits at a bar drinking tequila, he begins to do crazier and crazier things with each round. At the final verse of the song, the narrator forgets what drink round he is on, and he gives up and starts counting from the beginning again.

It's not surprising that Jose Cuervo is one of the most recognizable brands of alcohol, especially tequila, in the world. With the continued control by the original farm owners and its strong history in Jalisco, it's truly a Mexican success story. Its popularity is worth a toast next time you find yourself with salt on your hand and a lime wedge next to you.

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