What Seasoned Bartenders Really Look For in a Tequila
Five Questions We Ask When Introducing Estoico Tequila
Behind every great tequila recommendation is a bartender who knows their craft. Seasoned bartenders don’t just pour, they evaluate texture, balance, versatility, and how a spirit performs in real service.
When we introduce Estoico Tequila behind the bar, we don’t lead with buzzwords or awards. We lead with questions. The right questions open up honest feedback, real-world insight, and the kind of language that resonates with guests.
Here are five questions we ask experienced bartenders when they first taste Estoico. These questions designed to spark meaningful conversation and uncover how a tequila truly earns its place on the back bar.
1. When you taste this neat, what stands out compared to other premium blancos you work with?
This question focuses attention on first impressions: aroma, palate, texture, and finish. It encourages bartenders to compare Estoico not in theory, but against the tequilas they pour every day.
2. Where would you place this on your back bar or menu; sipping tequila, featured cocktail, or both?
Placement matters. This question reveals how the tequila is perceived in terms of quality, versatility, and guest appeal and whether it feels like a workhorse, a highlight, or a quiet standout.
3. How do you think guests who usually drink well-known premium tequilas would react to this?
Rather than asking if they “like it,” this question reframes the conversation around guest experience. It helps identify how Estoico fits into existing drinking habits and expectations.
4. Does the texture and finish make you more likely to recommend it neat or in a spirit-forward cocktail?
Bartenders understand mouthfeel better than anyone. This question taps into how the tequila performs beyond taste alone—and how confidently it can be recommended.
5. If you were introducing this tequila to a regular at the bar, what’s the one line you’d use?
This is the most important question of all. It captures authentic, guest-facing language, the kind no brand deck can manufacture.
Great spirits don’t just speak for themselves, they spark conversations. These questions help ensure that when Estoico is poured, it’s poured with confidence, clarity, and intention.
Answers coming soon.
Featured GM & Bartender: Jack, King William Wine Co, San Antonio, TX
