International Tequila Day is July 24, and who better to learn from than Phil Bayly — Australia’s original tequila ambassador and founder of Agave Love?
In celebration, we’re publishing his 2025 Agave Love Bar Cheat Sheet online for the first time — free, beautifully structured, and loaded with knowledge you won’t find on a bottle label.
Whether you’re sipping a crisp highland blanco or pouring mezcal from clay-pot stills, this guide will upgrade your understanding of agave spirits in minutes.
🍸 Tequila Categories (x5)
1. Blanco – Clear, crisp, and full agave flavour.
2. Joven / Gold / Abocado – Lightly rested or blended.
3. Reposado – Aged 2–9 months in wood.
4. Añejo – Over 12 months in sealed oak.
5. Extra Añejo – Aged 3+ years for complex, rich character.
🌱 Tequila Terroir: Valley vs Highlands
Valley (1200–1500m): Earthy, vegetal.
Highlands (1800–2100m): Fruity, floral.
Brands to try: Fortaleza, Arette (Valley) | Ocho, Don Julio (Highlands)
🔥 Mezcal: What Sets It Apart?
All mezcal is 100% agave — and must be cooked before fermentation.
There are 4 classes (Blanco, Madurado, Reposado, Añejo) and 3 categories:
| Category | Cooked In | Distilled In | Allowed Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mezcal | Oven or autoclave | Column or copper stills | Industrial allowed (no diffusers) |
| Artesanal | Pit ovens | Clay or copper | Shredders allowed |
| Ancestral | Pit ovens | Only clay | No shredders or stainless |
🌵 Mezcal Agave Varieties
Espadín – Widely cultivated and versatile
Tobaziche – Karwinskii family, long-stemmed, woody
Tepextate – Up to 35 years to mature, floral
Tobalá – Rare and bat-pollinated, grows in rocky shade
Madrecuixe – Mini palm trunk shape, vegetal and green
Arroqueño – Wild, chocolate and earth aroma
Dobadaán / Mexicano – Grows in pine and oak forests
🔥 Use This Cheat Sheet To:
✅ Teach your bartenders the difference between Valley and Highlands
✅ Explain what Extra Añejo really means
✅ Choose the right mezcal varietal for your cocktail or back bar
✅ Celebrate Tequila Day with confidence (and better drinks)
📥 Download the Full Guide (PDF)
💾 Phil Bayly’s 2025 Agave Love Tequila & Mezcal Cheat Sheet (PDF)
📸 Preview Snippets from the Cheat Sheet
Insert 2–3 compressed images or styled infographic tiles here (example alt texts for SEO):
- “Tequila categories: blanco, reposado, añejo – what they mean”
- “Mezcal terroir explained – Valley vs Highlands flavour map”
- “Agave varieties in mezcal: from Espadín to Tobalá and Arroqueño”
🔗 External Links (Contextual)
- International Tequila Day Info – National Today
- Agave Love Official Site
- Tequila Matchmaker – Agave Spirit Reviews
- CRT – Consejo Regulador del Tequila
- CRM – Mezcal Regulatory Council
🎟️ Join Us at Sonora on July 24
We’re pouring rare tequilas, shaking agave-forward cocktails, and toasting to the world’s most misunderstood spirit.
📍 Sonora Potts Point
🗓️ Wednesday, July 24
🕔 Open from 5PM – Walk-ins welcome
🎁Paired mezcal tasting
