Don't believe us? You can read more about our methods and program goals, here. Hi Luis. $68 at Reserve Bar. Tequila Matchmaker is the only rating system smart enough to detect your personal preferences and match you with the tequilas that are right for you. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. This works as a great party idea too. Brand founder Cirilo Oropeza named the brand Espoln, which means spur in Spanish, to honor his commitment to the tequila craft. Compared to a 100-calorie pour of tequila, that's pretty good. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. Thank you for creating it. What Features Should You Look for in Tequila? As far as alcohol goes, it's not a bad option. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. Sugar-based Syrup. Founded by three best friends in Canada, Siempre combines a unique flavor profile (think notes of pepper, sea salt/brine, sweet berries and candied citrus) with a traditional tequila making process using 100% agave. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. Remember they are saving time and money using them. The problem with additives as I see it, is even though it may be legal at 1%, it's also 'cheating' and unnecessary, and seems many brands don't act like they're using additives, as long as it's only the legal 1%. Why? 6. The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. If that's all they ever did, I guess it's livable, although I'd prefer an 'off color' myself, and being completely additive free. Sometimes using french oak barrels may make you 'think' there are additives, because it can taster very sweet, even overly sweet. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. There is a variety of flavors to tequila, depending on the amount of sugar in it as well as how long it has been aged. As Taste Tequila reported, you don't need to use additives to make a profile, if you are being creative, as Sergio Mendoza does at Don Fulano. Patrn Tequila, $56+, Casamigos has an A-list history: The brand was launched by friends George Clooney and Rande Garber (husband to Cindy Crawford), who worked with a master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico over the course of many years to get the taste just right. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. LALO Tequila, $50, Speaking of Don Julio, no list of the best tequila brands would be complete without this iconic option! These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet, Another (Celine) Portrait: See Bob Dylan in Fashion Brand's Latest 'Performer' Series, The Best Wireless Range Extenders to Use (and How They Work), Outdoor Buds: These Fully Waterproof Workout Earbuds Are Just $30, NBA 'Investigating,' Team Suspends Ja Morant After Allegedly Flashing Gun on Social Media, See the Beths Deliver Refreshing 'Expert in a Dying Field' Mini-Set on 'CBS Mornings', Netflixs Sex/Life Is Back to Satisfy Your Softcore Desires, Alex Murdaugh Juror Says Cellphone Video, 'Big Liar' Testimony Led to Guilty Verdict. Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. 2. The best tequilas in 2023. Their distillery (NOM 1480 Las Americas) has denied their request. "We choose to . Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. It's almost too easy to not do it, being legal to a certain extent, and too hard to ever get caught. After speaking with these brands and tasting all the tequilas mentioned, the list below are brands that passed my own personal test, and taste 100% additive free. 15 Interesting Things to Mix With Tequila, Miguel Escobar Martinez, master distiller for, Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzlez, co-founder and master distiller of, Justin Lavenue, owner/operator and co-founder of. Maybe it's time brands realize we are fed up with additives, and overly sweetened tequila, which is sometimes referred to as "Americanized" Tequila, as well as fake coloring. DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. Now the additive list is also fantastic tool to recognize the brands that have a commitment to offering a true quality product. Patron Anejo Barrel Select. He uses different distillation equipment and different agaves grown at different altitudes, as an alternative, and as long as you have the additional equipment, use your head, and not take the easy way out, this is a perfect solution instead of using additives. The app can support any agave spirit, including mezcal. All Rights reserved. When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. WATER SOURCE: Natural spring water, Rain water. Is it possible to get some of the additive free cards to display on the shelves of the certain tequilas in a store? In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. I'm guessing many of these drinkers do not detect the taste of agave or try to, and it seems to take a backseat to the flavor of oak. SHOP NOW. Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. When mixed together, both vodka and tequila can be a good option with coke zero. We want to hear it. 1. With notes of fresh-cut grass and tropical fruit, you can always have it in a cocktail, but this is a fantastic tequila to pair with dinner, or a good cheese plate. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. Can I assume that if the distillery is verified, that all of their products are free from additives? Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. Olmeca Altos has won quite a few awards over the years and are worthy of a place on your bar cart. I want to stay away from additives. Hornitos, $29+, Founded by Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Teremana Tequila crafts their tequilas in a small Mexican town up in the highest peaks of the Jalisco Highlands. It also tells you which tequila producer it comes from. The idea: to create an ultra premium, ultra-smooth tequila at an accessible price point. Average Price: $115. 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. The additive-free spirit retails for $125.99 and is currently available for presale on ReserveBar. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. ok, but your 2018 post titled The Lowdown on Tequila Additives stated that was banned by the norma . Hi Josh. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Aejo's tasting notes consist of roasted coffee, dried fruit, and vanilla. The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. EXTRACTION: Tahona. The Aejo promises notes of vanilla, caramel, cacao, and butterscotch, while the agave takes a supporting role. Silver (or Blanco) tequila is probably the most well-known, and it typically appears perfectly clear in the bottle. Vivanco (NOM 1414) -7 brands. We cant release that type of information without the risk of a lawsuit. Making tequila requires thoughtful consideration of both legal and technical factors defining the spiritand many choices in the production process can have a tremendous impact on the final distillate. When it comes to flavor, Rodriguez says tequila can range from smooth and mellow, to a warmer and bolder profile. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. They offer three classic options: blanco, reposado and aejo. Reposado means rested in Spanish. Casa Noble, $45+, Theres a reason why this is the best-selling tequila in the world. Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. At the time, that was enough for us. Realize that caramel coloring is not used for adding sweet flavor, but more so, for a darker color to make the aged spirit 'look' more aged, or to change the color of batches to balance them out (consistency), in the stage called 'rectification'. Gran Coramino, $60+, Clase Azul wins for the packaging alone. 6. Now confused. Sauza crafts all of their tequilas using a process known as gentle extraction, which involves using the nectar of pure Weber blue agave and cooking the juices after theyve been extracted from the pia. 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. There wont be any need to link to this version of the list. We mention products that contain additives in our content, but were not going out of our way to promote them. Not with the usual agave spirit you know and lovethe NA spirits brand has launched an alcohol-free tequila, the first of its kind. Tequila Gran Diamante is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila that's stirring up excitement on the spirits scene. Although I want to trust all the brands, keep in mind that it's always possible that a distillery may do whatever it takes, so there can be no guarantee. :-). Hiatus uses a ground-to-glass method which combines traditional methods and modern technology, produced by master distiller, Luis Trejo Rodrguez at La Cofrada. Agave nectar, corn syrup, cane sugar, aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), and stevia could all be used as a sweetening . The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. Like all of Casa Nobles offerings, this one is certified organic, and has a limited number of bottles in select cities around the country. Its best sipped slow for a warm, inviting mouthfeel. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well. Not clear on the response to Josh Ohlingerare all blancos additive-free, regardless of distillery? Pick Up Some of These Gloves First From now on, I may honestly just shop for tequilas that are on your list. Want to know more? Its a liquor made using 100% Weber Blue agave and a distillation process that combines techniques from both tequila and mezcal-making processes most importantly, smoking and steaming the agave. An award-winning tequila, its aged for a minimum of two and a half years and produced in small batches. Dano (yep, there's actually a Dano behind Dano's Dangerous Tequila) works with one of . No Additives. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? . We have to stop thinking a dark and rich color is always the real thing, and start thinking about realistic, clean, additive free tequila, regardless of the color or lack of color. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? Heres a rundown of each one: This is tequila in its purest form without aging and is clear in color, says Miguel Escobar Martinez, master distiller for Tequila Cazadores. Thank you! Those too are permitted by Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council . It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. To compensate for a light hue, it seems a large number of suppliers are placing caramel color into their aged reposado tequila or anejo tequila, although I know a good amount of quality brands, that although impossible to prove, appear not to use any additives, including colorings. Marcos Higareda of 'DesMaDre' said "we do not use ANY additives, never used and never will use caramel coloring, and it's all natural color, taste and aromas from natural barrel aging." We sat down with Mijenta Tequila's UK brand ambassador, Tasha Iny, to discuss future launches, and why producers should steer clear of adding flavours. The tequila now will seem darker, and although it's still a dirty trick, if it has no additives in it, its still a lot better than paying extra money for a rested or aged tequila with fake colors and flavors added. Hey, we're all about being social! Also, no, you cannot assume that if a distillery is verified it means that all of their products are additive-free. Read Full Article. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. The top five best-selling tequila brands run the gamut from budget picks to higher-end options. Blanco tequila is the ideal choice for margaritas, says Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzlez, co-founder and master distiller of LALO Tequila and grandson of Don Julio Gonzlez of the iconic Don Julio tequila brand. Find which tequilas are right for you. At over $100, this is a true premium spirit, with a bottle and flavor profile worthy of its price. . Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. This INCLUDES the legal 1% allowance, and I made that an important point to each brand. And just like wine, tequila can be aged in a number of different containers, from oak barrels to steel drums. Thankfully for you, we're breaking down store-bought tequila brands and ranking them from worst to best to help you find the perfect bottle for your taste preference and budget. The reason caramel coloring is used, is to add a rich and darker color to make it appear that the aging was longer than it actually was. According to recent market research, tequila has seen significant growth in bars and restaurants across the country over the last couple of years. I am excited to have this list in list forminstead of finding them individually on TMM app. You rock, Grover and Scarlet! Founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 2018, Danos Tequila just won Best in Class Aejo at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Cincoro Tequila produces five tequilas: blanco, reposado, aejo, extra aejo and the newest addition to their collectionCincoro Goldwhich blends the best of all four of their other varieties into one ultra-premium tequila. Drink brands from Europe where GMOs are (nearly) banned. Hi Keith. But that said, despite what . who cares? The brand offers two options: reposado cristalino and aejo. Rodriguezs favorite in the collection is the classic Patrn Silver. Thanks to investment and refinement from some pioneering brands, long gone are the days when Tequila was known only for its harsh palate. Avoid these tequila brands: . In 2020 we launched our Tequila Matchmaker Additive-Free program for brands and distilleries that want to be super transparent about their production processes and their non-use of additives. Casa Del Sol. Can anyone recommend some of the sweeter non additive, non Blanco tequilas? A complete one stop tequila review app/web site. Adding additives and or color usually occurs towards the end of production before bottling, in the 'rectification'. Do you have plans or know of any plans to do something similar with Agave Spirits? Our organic processes does not include any additives, which some tequila brands use to manipulate color, flavor, aroma, etc. The company says it sources naturally filtered water from an artesian well located at their distillery, which sits at the base of the Jalisco volcano. Often it is to 'balance' the batches in appearance, so they are the same color before blending. Fortaleza Blanco. With 11 generations of tequila-makers to their name, Maestro Dobel is no stranger to the spirits market, with an entire portfolio of smooth, easy-drinking tequilas available everywhere from country clubs to the finest restaurants in the world. The experts pointed to a line in the guidelines that read additives "must not be greater than 1% in relation to the total weight of the tequila before it is bottled. 40% alcohol by volume in tequila is typical. While they may be fun for a party or to use in mixed drinks, we recommend skipping these bottles the rest of the time and just drinking tequila straight up. Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. To be honest, I'm actually more than fine with all this myself, and I see this as a sign of integrity, and makes me appreciate these brands and respect them even more. Bartenders love Cenote in a Paloma too, and the company responded by introducing the first-ever World Paloma Day last May. 1. dried fruit, and vanilla. If youre hosting a party or large gathering, youll want to stock up on bottles of Espoln. Danos also won the Gold Medal in the 2019 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Tasting Competition, and the Double Gold and Gold in the 2018 SIP Awards. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. Of course you can taste the ones that use these natural additives- as they are too sweet, too candyish, too oily etc, and it's even easier to tell the ones that really 'go to town', and totally abuse this rule. Adam Levines Calirosa mashes up classic tequila-making techniques and California wine know-how for a bottle of tequila that tastes as unique as it looks. The Mezquila is more flavorful than your typical tequila, but not in-your-face smokey like most mezcals. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Excited to be launching the World's Most Awarded Tequila - Cierto! I am very happy I found this website and this list. significant growth in bars and restaurants. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. There are . This is called the rectification stage, before bottling. Nathan. Each aging process will bring out different flavors in your tequila, and result in unique flavor profiles that often call to mind whiskey or scotch. . While we may be used to drinking clear tequila, many expensive tequilas are more caramel in color, due to being aged in wooden barrels. That's why we are proud to offer wines from Hermann J Wiemer, one of the most celebrated wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. What a great resource you have put together. Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. Patrn is the world's number one super-premium tequila brand to receive the verification. I hope more brands/distilleries jump on this protocol. Tequila producers also use some additives, like glycerin or sugar-based syrup, to change the mouthfeel or intensify the brand's sweetness. The taste is equally flavorful, with added notes of pumpkin spice and clove on the palette before it gives way to a subtle herbaceous and vanilla finish. You dont get the same distinct flavor profile as some of the other bottles on our list, but for a refreshing, straightforward Blanco, this one is a no-brainer to pick up. Related As you can't always believe Company Reps or Ambassadors who may not know for sure, I have personally contacted many Brand Owners, Executives or Master Distillers. As a matter of fact, he doesn't care if his aged tequilas look light or don't match each other in batches, and I love that. What do you think about that do you agree? This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. no headache-inducing fillers). The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time I just want to give you some statements and some brand names to explore. 4. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Because it is such an IMPORTANT part of Tequila today, here is just the 'Additive Section' and my Personal list of 'Additive-free brands' from my recent, longer and more detailed article titled- "AGING OF TEQUILA - BARREL TECHNIQUES, ADDITIVES, ADDITIVE-FREE BRANDS, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS TO KNOW.". The big problem is that additives aren't required to be disclosed, although I believe they should be, even if it's 1%. JAJA is proudly additive free. This year's offering of . Teremana Tequila, $35+, El Cristiano Tequila handcrafts sustainable, additive-free and gluten-free tequilas with only the finest aged Weber blue agave from the Jalisco Highlands. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. Theyre made from 100% blue agave and are meant for sipping. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. (They even make their own compost!) The brands Aejo expression begins with 100% blue weber agave, which is double distilled and then aged 18 months in ex-California wine barrels. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . I find that the extended barrel aging pulls out any astringent qualities that may have been in the originally distilled juice, making this the easiest to sip on its own., The best type of tequila for sipping is the one in which you can taste the complexity given by the best agave source, along with a good elaboration process, providing the smoothness and sweetness you can obtain from the agave, says Martinez. Still, its $500+ price-point doesnt exactly make it an accessible bottle to buy. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. Vandoliers Play Tennessee Concert in Dresses to Protest State's New Drag Bill The . I love your reviews? YOU and only you will have to make that decision, to believe these brands by tasting and trusting them. However, section 6.1.1.1 states that the products defined in 5 sections, including 4.36.1, allows for edulcorantes, colorantes, aromatizantes y/o saborizantes permitidos por la Secretara de Salud (sweeteners, coloring, aromas and flavors allowed by the Health Secretary.). This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. Oct 28, 2022. Are they true, who can you believe? I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. Cenote makes a super drinkable tequila thats flavorful without overwhelming the palette. Photo credit: Courtesy. They blame us the consumer, as they say WE need to see the same color consistency each time we purchase a brand, and we would be 'alarmed' if it looked different. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. However, it smells smoky like mezcal or charred wood, and there's a hint of that tequila agave scent. The Norma Oficial Mexicana number (or NOM) is assigned by the Mexican government and certifies that the bottle youre holding is authentic tequila produced in Mexico. I would love to know how to have my husbands tequila reviewed. Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . He said people have their opinions about Productos Finos de Agave, but he was clear that any sweet profile is strictly from very ripe agaves. Grassy and mild, with some pleasant notes of coconut, Espoln Blanco's smoothness and neutrality make it a great tequila for whatever you need, including and especially shots. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. So what do you think? It quickly became a staple then and is a mainstay still today. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. In 2020 we launched our Tequila Matchmaker Additive-Free program for brands and distilleries that want to be super transparent about their production processes and their non-use of additives.