TEQUILA

The best tequilas are from 8 year old blue agave plants.

Mezcal is a smokier flavour due to the process used.

Blanco (Silver tequila) and Joven (Gold), are the youngest varieties.

Jovens are generally blended, either with aged tequilas or merely with colorants and sweeteners to achieve their "gold" shade; they are most commonly used in making cocktails. 

Of the aged styles, Reposado tequilas have the least aging, with the spirit resting in barrels for anywhere from two months to a year.

Añejo, in turn, is aged from 1 to 3 years, and Extra Añejo (a relatively new classification that was introduced in the mid-2000s) ages for a minimum of 3 years.