The arrival of the Spaniards in Mexico changed a lot of things, for one it revolutionised drinking habits with the introduction of the method of distillation. In Tequila, Jalisco the agave plant had previously been fermented by the Aztecs to produce a drink called Octli or Pulque. The Spaniards now distilled Agave after fermentation to produce “Vinos de Tequila” which soon became so popular and more widespread than other local “vinos” that the prefix was dropped and in the 17th century tequila as we know it was born.

Centuries later tequila production has expanded so much the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) has been set up to protect the culture surrounding tequila and importantly certify those products are of the correct geographical indication - tequila can only be produced in the state of Jalisco or in limited areas of surrounding states. To celebrate CRT’s 15th anniversary and show the world just how large the Tequila is a Tequila exhibition was set up in the historic Hospicio Cabañas in central Guadalajara which is about 65 kilometres south of the village of Tequila. Guinness World Records adjudicator Ralph Hannah was invited by the CRT who claimed their exhibition was the largest display of different varieties of tequila.

In order for a bottle of tequila to qualify it must be commercially available and a certified brand of tequila. The two categories of tequila (100% Agave and Tequila) were allowed and the alcohol was divided into the five recognised classes determined by age and production methods; Blanco, Joven, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo. The same brand therefore could have more than one variety of tequila. The minimum for this new record was 600 varieties of tequila. Adjudicator Ralph Hannah had to discount several bottles that were the same variety of tequila displayed in a different sized or differently designed bottle. Despite these reductions the Consejo Regulador del Tequila still managed to collect and exhibit an incredible 1201 different varieties of tequila!

The record was officially certified at the CRT Gala Dinner on 6 November 2009. The President of the CRT Miguel Angel Domínguez Morales (pictured above) accepted the certificate on behalf of all of his staff who had worked tirelessly since March to make this record a reality. He also thanked the tequila brands who had shown extraordinary generosity in donating every single to the collection. This was certainly not just a record for the Consejo Regulador del Tequila but for the tequila industry as a whole which moves from strength to strength each year.

9 Nov 2009

If you are interested in seeing the Tequila exhibition it is on display in Hopsicio Cabañas a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico until 22 November 2009.