UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and chemometrics to discriminate between the two basic categories and types of tequila

Abstract

An alternative method to chromatography is reported to discriminate among white and aging tequilas. In a previous work we had reported a similar method to discriminate between 100% blue agave and mixed tequilas. A data base of 145 tequilas was created where well known tequila brands and tequilas in bulk were included. The bottled tequilas were purchased at various Mexican liquor stores to ensure that different batches of each brand were included in the data base. The method that we propose to discriminate tequilas may also be used for quality control in distilleries and, with the help of the data base, to identify counterfeit tequilas.