There is an interesting way of creating Teremana tequila. It was a hot summer day in 2019 when Dwayne Johnson decided to leave Hollywood behind, at least for a little while, and return to his roots in Mexico.
Growing up, he had always been fascinated by the artisanal process of making tequila and watching the generations-old traditions pass from farmer to farmer. As a successful but restless entrepreneur, he saw an opportunity to both fulfill a childhood dream and make a positive impact.
Dwayne partnered with a family that had been cultivating agave for over a hundred years in Jalisco. They named the brand “Teremana,” (or as some people call it “The Rock Tequila”) which means “spirit of the earth” (“tere” is from “terra,” a Latin word meaning earth and “mana” is Polynesian, meaning spirit) honor of protecting the land and livelihoods of the people growing the coveted blue agave.
Now available worldwide, Teremana reflects Dwayne’s commitment to connections – both with traditional crafts and communities around the world.
Before we dig into the rock tequilas, as a fellow fan you must try Batanga, it’s worth the headache in the morning.
Three Types of Teremana
This drink is made at Destileria Teremana De Agave, NOM 1613 in Jesus Maria, Jalisco. Which is the southern Los Altos region. The distillery is open for tours by appointment only and is currently rated #94 out of #114 tequila distilleries in Mexico according to Tequila Matchmaker (TMM).
- Teremana Blanco Tequila
- Teremana Reposado Tequila
- Teremana Anejo Tequila
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1. Teremana Blanco Tequila
Teremana Tequila is said to have 96 calories for every 1.5 ounces of tequila and zero carbs. Teremana Blanco Tequila is a small-batch tequila made from 100% Blue Weber Highlands agave. On TMM, Teremana Blanco Tequila has a panel rating of 73/100 and a community rating of 74/100. This tequila is made with brick ovens, a roller mill, deep well water, and open-air fermentation (without fibers), and it is twice distilled in copper pots that are 3,800 liters each.
Priced at around $21.00, it offers a bright citrus flavor with a smooth, fresh finish. The agave is roasted in traditional brick ovens, and the tequila is distilled in handmade copper pots, ensuring a clean and refined taste.
The Blanco tequila clocks in at 40% ABV. This variant is versatile, making it suitable for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails like the Teremana Sunrise, which combines Teremana Blanco with fresh orange juice and a drizzle of pineapple or passion fruit syrup.
The Teremana Tequila website says that the tasting notes are “of bright citrus, with a smooth, fresh finish.”
This product is not confirmed additive-free by TTM.
2. Teremana Reposado Tequila
The Reposado variant takes the base of the Blanco and elevates it by aging it in used American whiskey barrels. On TMM, Teremana Reposado Tequila has a panel rating of 70/100 and a community rating of 74/100. Priced at approximately $23.00, Teremana Reposado offers notes of oak and vanilla with a smooth, rich finish.
The aging process adds depth to the flavor, making it an excellent choice for both sipping and mixing in cocktails like the Teremana Old Fashioned. This tequila also maintains the same high standards of production, using 100% Blue Weber Highlands agave, brick oven roasting, and copper pot distillation.
The reposado clocks in at 40% ABV. Little information exists about how long the tequila is aged, but it can be aged for 2 to 12 months.
This product is not confirmed additive-free by TMM.
3. Teremana Añejo Tequila
Teremana Añejo Tequila is aged for a minimum of 12 months, resulting in a rich and complex flavor profile. At around $49.00 per bottle, the Añejo variant offers notes of warm oak, vanilla, and roasted agave, with a lightly sweet finish. The añejo clocks in at 40% ABV.
This tequila is ideal for those who appreciate a more mature and robust flavor. Like its counterparts, Teremana Añejo is produced with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a premium drinking experience.
On TMM, Teremana Añejo Tequila has a panel rating of 80/100 and a community rating of 78/100.
The Production Process
Teremana is a private company you cannot buy company stock. In February of 2022, Jagermeister took a minority position in the company to turn Teremana Tequila into a “true global tequila brand” according to Michael Volke, the Jagermeister CEO.
- Agave Selection and Harvesting
- Teremana Tequila begins with the selection of 100% Blue Weber Highlands agave.
- The agave is harvested once it reaches full maturity, which typically takes 6-8 years.
- Roasting
- The harvested agave is roasted in traditional brick ovens.
- The roasting process lasts for three days, allowing the agave to caramelize and develop rich flavors.
- Shredding and Juice Extraction
- After roasting, the agave is shredded to extract the juices.
- The extracted juices, or aguamiel, are collected for fermentation.
- Fermentation
- The aguamiel undergoes open-tank fermentation without fibers.
- This process allows natural yeast to ferment the sugars into alcohol.
- Distillation
- The fermented liquid is distilled twice in handmade copper pot stills, each with a capacity of 3,800 liters.
- The copper pot distillation ensures a clean, smooth tequila by removing impurities.
- Aging (for Reposado and Añejo)
- Teremana Reposado Tequila is aged in used American whiskey barrels for 2 to 12 months.
- Teremana Añejo Tequila is aged for a minimum of 12 months in the same type of barrels.
- Bottling
- After distillation and aging, the tequila is bottled in small batches.
- Each bottle is labeled and packaged with care to maintain quality.
- Sustainability Practices
- All leftover agave fibers, or bagazo, are transformed into compost.
- This compost is used in the agave fields, supporting a sustainable cycle.
Conclusion
Teremana Tequila stands out in the crowded tequila market for its exceptional quality, sustainable practices, and dedication to honoring traditional methods. This tequila is worth $3.5 billion dollars, selling more than 600,000 cases in 2021, doubling its sales from the previous year.
Whether you prefer the bright citrus notes of Teremana Blanco, the rich oak and vanilla flavors of Teremana Reposado, or the complex, sweet finish of Teremana Añejo, or just tequila soda with lime, this brand offers something for every tequila enthusiast. With its growing popularity and numerous awards, this drink is poised to remain a significant player in the industry for years to come.