Sip, Don't Shoot: How to Taste Tequila Like a Connoisseur

The shot-with-salt-and-lime ritual was invented to mask harsh spirits. Fine tequila needs no mask. To taste it properly, pour a small amount into a narrow glass — a caballito or even a wine glass — and let it sit for a moment.

Bring it to your nose gently, lips slightly parted, and breathe. You'll catch agave, citrus, pepper, and, in aged expressions, vanilla and oak. Take a small sip and let it coat your tongue before swallowing; notice how the flavor shifts from first taste to finish.

Between sips, a 'sangrita' — a tangy tomato-citrus-chile chaser — refreshes the palate without overpowering it. Slow down, and a single pour becomes a half-hour of discovery. That is the way we drink at Havana: not to escape the moment, but to be fully in it.