Although not technically tequila, Revels Avila should be on every tequila and mezcal fans radar. Using a few drops of caramel coloring is one thing, but this additive problem seems to go much further, using these additives to cover up mistakes, a low quality product, or mask deficiencies in the final product. The top five best-selling tequila brands run the gamut from budget picks to higher-end options. Thank you! Additive-free tequilas do not require salt or lime to enjoy. Keep up the great work, I know I greatly enjoy the content. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. Do you have any plans to verify if Don Julio is additive-free? Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. Required fields are marked *. I am very happy I found this website and this list. We need to let each other know, of the 'obvious offenders', even though it's legal up to this 1% limit. It will typically taste sweeter and more refreshing, with a smooth, silky finish. As of January 2020, the below distilleries, some of which produce multiple tequila brands as designated by their NOM assignment, have been credited as verified additive-free. I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. And just like wine, tequila can be aged in a number of different containers, from oak barrels to steel drums. 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. Don Julio 1942, $160, Back in 2019, basketball legend Michael Jordan launched Cincoro Tequila alongside a few other NBA ownersand in just three short years, the brand has sold a million and a half bottles and won more than 20 awards. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. 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. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. El EZ E, Im also a fan of the Kirkland Anejo. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on how many brands and products we are reviewing at the distillery. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. Comparing production samples at La Altea (NOM 1139). Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. Clase Azul, $137+, Casa Dragones is a small-batch tequila producer that crafts some of the smoothest tequilas on the market. Keep in mind that technically, if you exceed the 1% total volume rule, it must be labeled as a 'licor' or a 'crema', like these (ABOVE), and that's the way it should be. Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more. Dont be fooled by the gold label on gold tequila. El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa Noble Casamigos Cazul . Also be on the lookout for Santo's excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. The brand offers blanco, reposado and aejo varieties as well as pre-made margaritas, mixes and canned cocktails. On the nose, the Maestro Dobel 50 releases notes of fig and dried fruit, with hints of cinnamon and honey. He is correct, anyone can say anything, but I will say, that after tasting all of Felipe's products and talking with him for years, he is one producer I trust solely on his word. Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, Agave, Mint. Espoln Tequila, $32+, Funnyman Kevin Hart teamed up with Juan Domingo Beckmann, an 11th-generation tequila maker, to create Gran Coramino. Best value tequila: Corralejo Reposado. Gran Coramino, $60+, Clase Azul wins for the packaging alone. I would love to know how to have my husbands tequila reviewed. ), just want to know what kind of additives they would use. While some tequilas make us pucker, or burn the inside of our mouths and throats, Cenotes Blanco Tequila is light, mellow and refreshing. 9. Handcrafted using the time-honored tahona process, the Roca Patrn Tequila collection offers a sophisticated and complex flavor profile thats an elegant and elevated take on tequila. Vanilla and Cocoa powder (chocolate) are also considered a type of oak extract, and although vanilla is not part of the 1% group, vanilla is something that can occur naturally in a barrel, but it is naturally 'subtle'. I even contacted ones that some people feel are definite abusers. Fortaleza Blanco, Reposado and Aejo are all fantastic sipping tequilas from the Los Valles region, says Lavenue. For example, if youre looking to make cocktails, then you should choose a blanco or reposadobut if youre looking to sip tequila on its own, then you should select an aejo or one of its variations, says Martinez. Espolon Blanco Tequila. Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. Thanks for leading the charge and creating transparency in the industry. (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. (They even make their own compost!) 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. 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. Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. These additives aren't illegal, per se. . Buy Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Anejo $159.99. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. Patrn, one of most well-known tequila brands in the world, actually offers a diverse portfolio of authentic tequilas that you wont find in nightclubs or seedy bars. We want to hear it. Why? Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? Comparing the difference between a retail bottle and testigo sample. Zarpado Tequila Blanco. If you want to discover an authentic Mexican tequila with a bold yet traditional flavor, then order a bottle of El Tesoro. LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. We like the Maestro Dobel 50, a smooth and complex Extra Aejo Cristalino thats aged in American and Eastern European oak barrels, then twice-distilled in copper pot sills. Patrn Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) [2 brands] El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) With most quality brands, especially ones in which the distillery owns, you may not have to worry as much about this next practice. No, this is good tequila because it's a crisp, spicy, flavorful, and very versatile spirit. The popularity of tequila has exploded in recent years, and as the spirit has evolved, so, too, has the number of brands on the market. Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. Technically a barrel which has not been overused, will not need to have additives or essences. The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. Agave nectar, corn syrup, cane sugar, aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), and stevia could all be used as a sweetening . Im verifying that any blanco I get, say a Calle 23 Criollo, can be assumed to be Additive-free, despite not being marked as such on the Matchmaker site? I assume these brands tell themselves that it's part of the 'tequila making procedure'. :-). What a great resource you have put together. Don Abraham Organic Blanco Tequila. Cenote makes a super drinkable tequila thats flavorful without overwhelming the palette. Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. All of Cincoros tequilas are made with 100% Weber blue agave from private farms in Jalisco, Mexico and are produced in small batches. Photo credit: Courtesy. Lightweight and well balanced, it's a great option for both new and experienced tequila drinkers alike. Roy adds that shes a fan of Patrns Roca collection because the brand uses juice from the tahona rolling process, which pulls only the most flavorful liquid from the pias they roast for almost three days. Hiatus has three award-winning expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo. The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Some brands have obviously taken advantage of these powerful concentrated additives, colorings and flavorings to make their brands 'profile' which they have become known for, and don't appear to be stopping. All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. 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. I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. I wish something like this was posted in stores. Thats why I stick to and fully endorse the products from NOM1146 . Its great to know which ones already meet the criteria, but to the point about Don Julio, how do we know if a brand has been tested and failed, versus not being tested? Can anyone recommend some of the sweeter non additive, non Blanco tequilas? Popular Brands. I do believe it's safe to say that products made by the quality brands mentioned below on my favorites list, seem to be completely additive free. Usually in this purest form of tequila, you can taste the care given to the elaboration process of any brand. This is the standard tequila youll see in cocktails due to its versatility, he adds. There are five different types of tequila: blanco, reposado, aejo, joven and extra aejo which are distinguished by the length of the aging process, known as aged expressions.. Tequila Blanco: Also known as silver tequila, this expression is only aged for up to two months and is bottled within 60 days of distillation.The best blanco tequilas will typically taste sweeter . SEE OTHER GREAT EDUCATIONAL ARTICLES and HONEST TEQUILA REVIEWS along with REAL TOP TEQUILA LISTS- HERE ON- LONG ISLAND LOU TEQUILA - SEE all the tabs above, and PLEASE LIKE on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422. 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. . The tequila has a really smooth, sweet taste with notes of citrus, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and more to give it a unique tasting experience that I really enjoy. Tequila Cazadores,$23+, Tequila Ocho is my personal favorite brand, says Lavenue. Best tequila overall: Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022. With a clean and complex mouthfeel, its ideal for sipping neat. JAJA is proudly additive-free. Buy El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila $39.99. Hi Luis. The pictures ABOVE and BELOW are courtesy of Grover Sanschagrin of 'Taste Tequila' whose excellent recent Video/Report is linked HERE- http://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. Grover and Scarlet, Casa Del Sol. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options. Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. We are legit worried that the sweeter, more vanilla, candy-like additive products will change the publics idea of what a natural tequila is. There are some outstanding tequilas that have flavor added, and I would like to see reviews, ratings and discussion on them as well. This type of tequila has been aged a minimum of two months to one year in oak barrels, which gives the liquid a light golden color, says Martinez. What Features Should You Look for in Tequila? The brand offers a blanco, reposado, aejo, aejo cristalino and extra aejo in its lineupand they recently released a limited edition reposado to celebrate their 100th birthday. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. Thank you! When aejo tequila is done right, its at once rich and flavorful, smooth yet complex. 13. Good stuff!! Or is there a separate list for non-diffuser made tequilas? Avoid these tequila brands: . A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. 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. Cazcabel. Its called Mezquila, the worlds first and only tequila-mezcal blend. Thank you. Its a very special blend elaborated with agave that is grown on our property and was aged in a combination of our best hand-selected American oak and new French oak barrels. According to The Spirits Business, the top-selling tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. It's perfect as a mixer to liven any cocktail with its versatility and light body. This is an unpretentious, no-nonsense tequila with nothing added, just 100% blue Weber agave. If Casamigos is what you serve at your party, Clase Azul is what you break out for the select few invited to stick around after the crowd leaves. When you taste too much vanilla, and we call that a 'vanilla bomb', that often means extra vanilla extract powder was added. 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. Dulce Vida, $28+, This rare, handcrafted extra aejo is a complex sipping spirit with layers of flavor to unravel. Thank you so much for this list! Unfortunately you need to understand the reality of what often goes on with 'Rested' (Reposado), 'Aged' (Anejo) and 'Extra Aged' (XA) Tequilas, concerning ADDITIVES - (SEE Kit ABOVE). Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. We go into detail about that here: https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. Do you have plans or know of any plans to do something similar with Agave Spirits? This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. The reposado, with an ABV of 40%, is aged for four months in ruby port wine casks that give it a signature pink color. We cant release that type of information without the risk of a lawsuit. DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. "We choose to . They are a reality, and remember it's legal, but only up to 1% of total volume, on additives of: caramel color, oak extract, glycerin and "sugar-based syrup" (like agave nectar), but not necessarily ONLY from agave. . Is it possible to get some of the additive free cards to display on the shelves of the certain tequilas in a store? The aging process will also change the color of a tequila. David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 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. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time You can taste the additives in Kirkland tequilaThe best option is to not buy what doesnt disclose. These days, some of the best tequilas in the world are actually more comparable to a fine bourbon or robust glass of wine than jello shots and beer pong. High-quality tequila producers will use 100%, but others may use things like sugar or molasses to make their product cheaper, adds Roy. Trending Our editors have reviewed dozens of tequila brands over the last year, to come up with some of our favorite bottles, based on taste profile, uniqueness and value. Buy Casa Noble Marqus de Casa Noble $175.99. And while there are a number of tequila brands that have launched in recent months, this list runs the gamut from tried-and-true brands, to limited-edition releases that youll be smart to pick up if you see them available online. Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. Espoln Blanco Tequila. In addition to being healthier than Smirnoff vodka, tequila has a plethora of health . They offer three classic options: blanco, reposado and aejo. Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. Each year, the agave is harvested from a different farm/estate, then expertly distilled by Carlos Camarenaso each single estate bottling showcases its own distinct characteristics which truly highlights the terroir (or terruo in Spanish) of the Los Altos region of Jalisco. Tequila Ocho, $49+, LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. I am excited to have this list in list forminstead of finding them individually on TMM app. 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. Many thanks. We can do both, cant we? I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: We can smell what The Rocks drinking, and its good! So what do you think? There are a handful of smooth, premium-tasting tequilas you can get for under $100 too. CODIGO 1530. What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. Coloring and other additives usually go in after aging and before bottling. 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. Pros. Patrn Aejo Patrn Aejo is a carefully . I have been told that unless you get to see the CRT production logs, you'll never know if they have additives, and brands don't even have access to that information, it's something that only the distillery has. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. The Reposado expression is also aged in stripped and recharred American Oak bourbon barrels, which gives it a deliciously herbaceous toasted flavor. And fun fact: It was created in tribute to the year Don Julio Gonzlez started his tequila-making journey. Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. A new addition to the tequila category, this blanco burst onto the drinks scene in 2021, garnering rave reviews for maximal flavor at a minimal price. Discover the Best of New York Wines with Hermann J Wiemer at Aroma Thyme Bistro. Don Julio. I will need to check to see if our database needs to be updated to reflect that. It's almost too easy to not do it, being legal to a certain extent, and too hard to ever get caught. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. We later learned that additives were indeed being used in blanco tequilas and that a loophole in the NORMA made this possible. This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. No Additives. El Tesoro may be owned by Beam Suntory, the Japanese company responsible for Suntory Whisky, but this tequila is still made from traditional methods and local agave. First sip I was like wow this stuff is sweet. Spirit of the Earth, he says. When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. Give it a try! 2. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. Long Island Lou Tequila's Personal Additive - Free Favorites List, ArteNOM 1579- NOM's 1079, 1580, 1549, 1146, 1414, 1579, 1123, Patron - NOM 1492-(no additives but "Americanized"). Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. 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. In fact, many brands add artificial sugars or sweeteners to their tequila, which may taste good at first, but will leave you with a nasty hangover the next day. Reposado means rested in Spanish. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! 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. Jose Cuervo has been in the tequila game for more than 250 years and was actually the first tequila brand to bottle the spirit individually.