But they were removed when they were not able to complete the annual re-confirmation process. Cierto Tequila Begins Its U.S. Rollout - BevNET.com Youve also probably seen flavored tequila, which is tequila infused with things like coconut, lime, strawberry or jalapeno. I'm told that some distilleries will use additives because it's cheaper and faster to get things done, and who's to say if this is with or without the owners knowledge? Buy Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Anejo $159.99. For a similar experience at a more casual price point, we like the Roca Patrn Reposado, which is a lighter, more buttery take on the bold and robust Burdeos. The 10 Best Blanco Tequilas Money Can Buy We deserve to know, don't you think? Hiatus has three award-winning expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo. LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. I want to stay away from additives. These wine barrels let the spirit age in a different direction (dont worry; it doesnt taste like wine), and impart the unique rosy glow that gives Calirosa its name. 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. 2. Remember, as has been said before. No brands will EVER admit to using additives, so understand that YOUR taste buds are the real test, and believing these assurances.are up to you. 5 Types of Tequila. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. It's perfect as a mixer to liven any cocktail with its versatility and light body. The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. The List: Additive-Free Tequila Brands | TasteTequila Additives - especially caramel coloring or oak extracts - are most commonly found in aged tequilas to boost a tequila's appearance. Thank you so much for this list! Agave nectar, corn syrup, cane sugar, aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), and stevia could all be used as a sweetening . The big problem is that additives aren't required to be disclosed, although I believe they should be, even if it's 1%. A new entry into the tequila market, El Bandido Yankee launched in 2021 by former NFL player Jim Bob Morris and restaurateur and NHL Hall of Fame Hockey Player Chris Chelios. Casa Noble, $45+, Theres a reason why this is the best-selling tequila in the world. Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. I just want to give you some statements and some brand names to explore. Tequila Matchmaker There's a tequila for everyone. Dano's Dangerous Tequila Pineapple & Jalapeo Fresh Fruit Infusion. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more. Again it's YOU that decides this. These young tequilas are less expensive and typically used in bars and restaurants for making mixed drinks. 3. Do you believe that? It makes sensewith its sweet, smooth taste, tequila is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in margaritas and other yummy cocktails as well as sipped straight or over ice. It has a smooth, even finish. I contacted Jose Cuervo, Cazadores and Sauza to ask about any additives in their 100% agave tequilas to see what they'd say. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? The rosado tequila is positioned as a daytime-friendly reposado, providing a high-quality option for afternoon sipping. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. We choose to only make blanco to honor the agave, the people behind our product and Mexico, says Gonzlez. Now thats a game changer APP that would get you many more subscribers. Additives in Your Tequila? Here's How to Test It Yourself All of the tequilas in the Casamigos line (they have a blanco, reposado and aejo) are made with 100% Weber blue agave with agave pias that are slow-roasted in brick ovens. These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. Tequila's popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and the top bottles now command cultish prices formerly reserved for the rarest of Scotches and small-batch bourbons. Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. There are four total categories of additives according to the Consejo Regulador . Cazcabel. The 11 Best Tequilas to Drink in 2023 - The Spruce Eats DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. Some brands I have mentioned or will mention, say they are 100% additive free, and although I do like and drink their products, I will not add them to my 'personal' list below, because I am not 100% sure. All of Cenotes tequilas (the line includes blanco, reposado, aejo and cristalino) are diligently crafted by the brands master distiller and master blender. Cincoro Tequila, $90+, Lavenue says Espoln Blanco is one of the best-value tequilas on the market. In the 2012 NORMA, section 4.36.1 says that blanco tequilas should be sin abocante (without additives). 1- either stick with a producer who makes aged tequilas to YOUR liking, regardless if it's heavy caramel, vanilla, overly smooth and overly sweet, very dark and rich, oily and very oaky without caring if they are obviously manipulated or not. Espolon Blanco Tequila. These tequilas are soft, well-rounded and easy to drink, says Roy. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. Organic tequila usually means that the agaves used were grown organically. Using only the best ingredients and a meticulous process, we are inspired by a vision of what tequila should be: complex, balanced and gastronomic. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Herradura got back to me saying that they're 100% additive free including their El Jimador line of products. :-). Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. Produced in the heart of Tequila, Mexico, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila packs a quality punch with notes of citrus, olives, and black pepper. Sure, tequila shots are fun at parties (and maybe gives you some liquid courage before stepping onto that karaoke stage), but artists rapping about shots of Patrn have really given tequila an undeservedly bad (and, ahem, cheap) rep. Pasote and El Tesoro de Don Felipe are both listed as an additive-free distilleries, but their respective XAs are not marked as Additive-free. Diffuser-made products *can* be additive-free, but as of this writing there are no products made with a diffuser on the list. March 3, 2023 30 Best Tequila Brands to Try Now (2023) - The Trend Spotter YOU and only you will have to make that decision, to believe these brands by tasting and trusting them. Thank you! A nice, simple tequila is useful to pour liberally than a more expensive Blanco tequila with a similar clean agave taste. The caramel, vanilla and wood notes are strong, but thankfully the agave isn't lost in the aging. There are a handful of smooth, premium-tasting tequilas you can get for under $100 too. Checking production records at NOM 1123 (Cascahun), Checking production records at NOM 1492 (Tequila Patrn). So what do you think? DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. 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 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. Tequila Gran Diamante is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila that's stirring up excitement on the spirits scene. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. A lot of the brands on the list are not easily found in my area. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. Because of how time-consuming it is to create (and how hands-on the distilling and aging processes are), its released in very small batches and comes with a large price tagbut the excellent taste makes it worth the splurge! Each batch is distilled for a minimum of two months in stainless steel barrels, and delivers a nice mix of sweet agave, light citrus and just a hint of vanilla. Avion founder Ken Austin, said that Avion is 100% additive free, and cited the light color in the anejo. Its aged in a sequence of Islay Scotch, Spanish brandy and Spanish sherry oak barrels for five years before being blended by the brands master distiller. 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. Owned by spirits-giant Diageo, Don Julio is enjoyed by tequila lovers all over the world and is known for being a staple brand. EXTRACTION: Tahona. This makes the Avila a great choice for solo sipping or mixing in cocktails. Tequila Patrn, for example, has a NOM of 1492. 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. It doesn't mean I don't like their product or that it doesn't taste fine, but coloring is an additive. what's not to understand? Despite the brands hard-partying reputation (blame it on lyrical shout-outs from everyone from Lil Jon to Bruno Mars), the company is actually making some incredibly interesting, flavorful and expensive tequila these days, with bottles of its Patrn En Lalique: Serie 2 going for up to $7,500 online. Avoid these tequila brands: . Before being triple distilled, this silver tequila had the tropical fruit cooked in traditional stone . Chock full of artificial sweeteners by my pallet. Best Non Alcoholic Tequila with Photos and Mocktails Tested Best Tequilas for 2023: Top 5 Bottles Most Recommended By Expert Ritual Beverage Company is entering the tequila market. Use this form to receive email alerts of any changes to this list. 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"). Enjoying catching up on your videos and love the passion you two have to this wonderful juice! What a great resource you have put together. These days, some of the best tequilas in the world are more comparable to a fine bourbon or robust glass of wine than jello shots and beer pong, RS Recommends: The 19 Tequila Brands Were Drinking Right Now, Looking to Start Boxing After Watching 'Creed III'? Silver tequila is great to drink on its own, but its great for mixed drinks as well. Thank you! 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. They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. Olmeca Altos, $28+, Tequila Bribn is the result of a two-year mission to produce high-quality tequila that appeals to newbies and aficionados alike. Can anyone recommend some of the sweeter non additive, non Blanco tequilas? My adviceif it doesn't taste natural or has an abnormal aroma or taste, has overly strong and unbalanced flavors, or is too sweet or has a sweet aftertaste, or is too dark in color for short aging, try one of the more trusted brands below, to see the difference. Aged from one to three years, this tequila pulls notes from whatever barrels it sits in, says Roy. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. Tequila Bribn, $26+, If youre looking for a budget-friendly tequila that tastes like it costs way more, then look no further than El Jimador. Tequila Matchmaker on the App Store Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. 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. 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. Whether you prefer blanco, reposado or aejo tequila, Hornitos has something for you in their robust lineup. Casa Dragones, $70+, Most tequilas are aged in American oak, but Casa Noble is different. It would be a handy reference when shopping. 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. ArteNOM 1579 - NOM's 1079, 1580, 1549, 1146, 1414, 1579, 1123. Bell Flavors & Fragrances (above) and Symrise Flavorings are just two companies supplying these additives. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. When 1% of total additives are used there is no requirement to tell the consumer, so I suppose for this reason, brands that put additives into their product will often make claims that they are not using any at all. I wish something like this was posted in stores. They roast their agave in brick ovens for three days before shredding it to extract the juices for fermentation, and then they distill the tequila in handmade copper pot stills made by a local artisan. Don Julio. 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. Dana Riley - Strategy Manager, Strategic Accounts - LinkedIn This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. Hiatus uses a ground-to-glass method which combines traditional methods and modern technology, produced by master distiller, Luis Trejo Rodrguez at La Cofrada. You can enjoy them neat, over ice or mixed into a cocktail. 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. Read Full Article. The ultra-premium highlands tequila uses all the beverage buzz words, like small batch production, and distilled in handmade copper pot stills. But beyond the hype, its a smooth, easy to drink option; naturally sweetened with the rich aroma of mature agave plants, with a clean finish. What they probably say to themselves is, 'we don't exceed the 1% rule, so there is no need to discuss this at all', and as far as they are concerned .they are NOT using additives. I hope more distilleries become a part of this project! Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails.