The terms referring to unaged or minimally aged tequila are often used interchangeably. These tequilas are characterized by their clear appearance and typically offer the purest expression of the agave plant from which they are distilled. An example would be a bottle labeled with either term, both signaling a similar profile of flavor.
The significance of this type of tequila lies in its direct representation of the distiller’s craft and the quality of the agave. Its benefits include versatility in cocktails, allowing the agave’s natural flavors to shine, and it provides a benchmark for judging the overall quality of a tequila producer. Historically, it represents a return to simpler production methods, prioritizing the raw ingredient.