Key difference: Tequila is a distilled spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant. Patron, on the other hand, is a brand of tequila. It is produced and marketed by The Patrón Spirits Company.

Tequila is a distilled spirit that is composed from the blue agave plant. The blue agave plant grows primarily around the city of Tequila, Mexico. Hence, most tequila distilleries are located in the surrounding area. According to Mexican Law, tequila can be produced only in the state of Jalisco and limited regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. However, it can be shipped in large quantities to the United States of America to be bottled, and eventually sold.

Tequila was first produced in the 15th century. It generally has 38–40% alcohol content, which is 76–80 proof. Some types of tequila may be produced with an alcoholic content as low as 31% (62 proof) or as high as 55% (110 proof). However, these are uncommon.

Under Mexican Law, only tequila which is 100% agave can be sold as tequila. Even so, as per American Law, tequila which is 51% agave can be commercially labeled as tequila. These types of tequila are usually called mixtos in Mexico.

According to Wikipedia, there are 5 different types of tequila:

• Blanco (white) or plata (silver): white spirit, un-aged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation, or aged less than two months in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels
• Joven (young) or oro (gold): usually a mixto (rarely 100% agave) with added coloring
• Reposado (rested): aged a minimum of two months, but less than a year in oak barrels of any size
• Añejo (aged or vintage): aged a minimum of one year, but less than three years in small oak barrels
• Extra Añejo (extra aged or ultra aged): aged a minimum of three years in oak barrels.

Tequila is often drunk neat in form of shots. This is why tequila has a bad reputation for causing blackouts and hangovers. However, many of the premium tequilas are now sipped neat, in order to taste the flavor and to enjoy the liquor. Tequila may also be used to create cocktails, the most famous of which is the Margarita.

Patron, on the other hand, is a brand of tequila. It is produced and marketed by The Patrón Spirits Company. The company was started in 1989 by Paul Mitchell Systems co-founder John Paul DeJoria, and entrepreneur Martin Crowley. Their goal was to produce “the best tequila in the world.” The factory, “the Hacienda del Patrón” is located in Jalisco, Mexico.

Patrón Tequila is now considered a type of premium tequila and is exported to 140 countries round the world. The company produces various different types of tequila, in addition to rums and vodka. Some tequilas available by Patrón are: Gran Patrón Burdeos Tequila, Gran Patrón Piedra Tequila, Gran Patrón Platinum Tequila, Patrón Añejo Tequila, Patrón Reposado Tequila, Patrón Silver Tequila, Patrón XO Café Tequila, and Patrón XO Cafe Dark Cocoa Tequila.

Patrón Tequila was originally designed for export and sale in the United States and hence has a less harsh taste that typical tequila. It has gotten quite popular over time, especially after some celebrities claimed they loved Patrón. Eventually, Patrón Tequila started being sold in Mexico, as well as internationally in Eastern Europe, Spain, Germany, Russia, etc. However, some habitual tequila drinkers claimed that the taste was a bit watered down for their preference and that it had a harsh alcoholic aftertaste. Still, many people tout the taste of Patrón Tequila; ‘to each its own’.

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