Jose Cuervo
Jose Cuervo is the oldest and best-known tequila brand in the world, from the town of Tequila in Mexico. The brand makes both the famous Especial and the 100% agave tequila 1800. Here you can find out what Jose Cuervo is, which bottles are available, and how to drink it.
More about tequila
Jose Cuervo makes both clear and aged tequila. Want to know the difference, or looking for a cocktail? Start here.
Tequila
What tequila is, how it is made from agave, and what blanco, reposado, and añejo mean.
About tequila →
Mezcal is also made from agave, but it is smoky. Find out what the difference is on our mezcal page.
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Mexico's oldest tequila house
Tequila is a distilled drink made from blue agave, a large succulent that grows mainly in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The heart of the plant, the piña, is cooked or steamed, pressed, and the juice is fermented and distilled. Tequila may only come from Mexico, from a few designated areas, and is bottled at a minimum of 35% alcohol. Jose Cuervo comes from Tequila itself, the town in Jalisco after which the drink is named. In 1795, José María Guadalupe de Cuervo received a license from the Spanish king to distill there. This makes it the oldest tequila brand still in existence. The La Rojeña distillery still stands in the town.
There are two types of tequila. In 100% agave tequila, all the sugars come from agave. In a mixto, or simply tequila, at least 51% must come from agave, while the rest may come from other sugars. Jose Cuervo's Especial is a mixto: smooth, approachable and made for shots and cocktails. The tequila with the year 1800 on the label is made from 100% blue agave and has a fuller flavor. Tequila also varies in aging. Silver or blanco is clear and unaged or barely aged. Reposado has spent at least two months in oak, making it smoother and rounder.
In brief
Two lines, each available as silver and reposado
Gall & Gall sells Especial, the well-known tequila for mixing, and 1800, the brand's 100% agave tequila. Both are available as a clear and an aged version.
Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
The clear, unaged Especial. Smooth, with fruit, citrus and a hint of agave. Made for mixing.
Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado
The aged version of the Especial. Sweetish, with notes of wood and vanilla.
1800 Silver
Clear tequila made from 100% blue agave. Pure and smooth, with a fresh, peppery agave note. Delicious in a cocktail, but also neat.
1800 Reposado
100% blue agave, bottled in Jalisco. Aged for six months in American and French oak barrels. Round, with vanilla, caramel and cooked agave.
Read about what the different types of tequila mean and how long they age on our tequila page.
Agave, citrus and a hint of pepper
Agave & citrus
The typical, slightly spicy and green aroma of cooked agave, with citrus. The reposado also has notes of vanilla and wood.
Smooth and spicy
Smooth in flavor, with fruit, citrus and a peppery touch from the agave. The 1800 is fuller; the Especial lighter and sweeter.
Short and warm
A fairly short, warm finish with agave and pepper. The 1800 Reposado lingers the longest.
Flavor profile of Jose Cuervo Especial Silver. The reposado versions score higher on sweetness; the 1800 scores higher on spice and strength.
Three ways to drink Jose Cuervo
Tequila is more than a shot with salt and lime. In a cocktail or neat over ice, you can truly taste what the agave does.
In a Margarita
Tequila, triple sec and fresh lime juice, shaken with ice and poured into a glass with a salted rim. With the Especial Silver or 1800 Silver.
Margarita recipe →In a Paloma
Tequila with grapefruit soda and a squeeze of lime, over plenty of ice and with a pinch of salt. More popular in Mexico than the Margarita.
Paloma recipe →Neat or as a shot
Drink the 1800 Reposado neat or over an ice cube in a tumbler. If you still want a shot, use a small glass, a lime wedge and a little salt.
Cocktails with Jose Cuervo
The best-known tequila cocktails are fresh, sour and salty. Start here.
Margarita
Tequila, triple sec and lime, with a salted rim. The best-known tequila cocktail.
Paloma
Tequila with grapefruit, lime and a pinch of salt. Long and refreshing.
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila, orange juice and grenadine, with a sunrise in the glass.
Spicy Margarita
The Margarita with a few slices of jalapeño. Fresh, sour and hot.The right glass for Jose Cuervo
A coupe for the Margarita, a tumbler for the Paloma or tequila over ice, a tasting glass for the 1800 Reposado and a small glass for a shot. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Jose Cuervo
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What is the difference between Jose Cuervo Especial and 1800?
What percentage of alcohol is in Jose Cuervo?
What is the difference between silver and reposado?
Where does Jose Cuervo come from?
Which tequila do you use for a Margarita?
Which glass do you use for tequila?
Buy Jose Cuervo
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Jose Cuervo online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of October 8, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No under 18s, no alcohol.