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. I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. "And nobody is hitting the . This tequila is complex and full-bodied, and is recommended for sipping, though it works great for tequila-oriented takes on classic drinks like a Moscow Mule or Negroni as well. I searched the web and found this list and was shocked that 100% only equals 99% when it comes to tequila. 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. Its one of only a handful of 100% de Agave Gold tequilas. Casa Del Sol. Thank you for your time and commitment. Interestingly, another brand that is 100% additive-free told me "rarely will a distiller commit to never using color, because sometime in the future, there could be a day that some tequila comes off the barrels lighter, and distillers would rather add a couple drops of organic caramel coloring instead of jeopardizing a stock of tequila that has inconsistent color on the shelf." 5. So who knows what a distillery may do to 'enhance' a contract brands juice, for their own convenience. Espoln Blanco Tequila. 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. We choose to only make blanco to honor the agave, the people behind our product and Mexico, says Gonzlez. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. Do they have additives? Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. El Jimador, $21+, This award-winning, additive-free, sustainable tequila brand is the only one to earn B Corp certification. Like all of Casa Nobles offerings, this one is certified organic, and has a limited number of bottles in select cities around the country. Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. All that aside, the tequila is good, made using traditional methods with no additives, according to the brand. The product is kosher, organic, and certified clean industry. Good stuff!! Spirit of the Earth, he says. One of the most-awarded bottles on our list, Danos Aejo Tequila is aged 18 months in virgin French white oak barrels and produced using 100% agave at a family-owned distillery that dates back to 1840. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. Another tactic often used to fool the public into thinking that a particular tequila was aged longer or is richer, is to tint the bottle glass to a darkish or amber appearance. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. Blending of different barrels at the end before bottling, plays a major role in tequila making, and remember that although they use the barrels multiple times, they may also be blending with a fresh 'new' aged barrel of tequila as well, as this really is an art. Gran Coraminos tequilas are roasted in traditional stone ovens and barrel-aged. Excited to be launching the World's Most Awarded Tequila - Cierto! You have to train yourself to make an educated decision. Brands made at their own distillery can be easier to believe, when they proclaim themselves additive-free, as only the owner/distiller controls what goes in the juice. The best tequilas in 2023. I respect people that want quality and are not cutting corners, and promise they will never use any additives. " This is confusing because earlier in the guidelines, it says that tequilas can have 75 g/L of sugars, which, if you do the math, is WAY more than 1%. It's almost too easy to not do it, being legal to a certain extent, and too hard to ever get caught. 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. Diffuser-made products *can* be additive-free, but as of this writing there are no products made with a diffuser on the list. View more. Related Casamigos is a favorite among the Hollywood crowd, thanks to its co-founder George Clooney, but its actually got a lot of substance to go with its style. If you want to feel like a celebrity while sipping tequila, then this is definitely the brand for you. Those too are permitted by Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council . I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. When mixed together, both vodka and tequila can be a good option with coke zero. 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. One way is to get familiar with the products that are on the list, and then the additive-filled stuff becomes much easier to detect. Patron Anejo Barrel Select. 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? The 100 Best Albums of 2022. Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. Please check on CABAL tequila- spoke with them personally at an event and they claimed to be additive free! Country singer George Strait is an investor in the brand, and even wrote a song inspired by the tequila (aptly named Codigo) off his 2019 album, Honkey Tonk Time Machine.. 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. These brands are going 'on record' here, as being an ADDITIVE FREE TEQUILA BRAND, and I have contacted a wide variety of brands to ask if they are 100% additive free. Chock full of artificial sweeteners by my pallet. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. In addition to being healthier than Smirnoff vodka, tequila has a plethora of health . Not clear on the response to Josh Ohlingerare all blancos additive-free, regardless of distillery? Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Below, we're sharing everything you need to know to find your perfect tequila, plus our picks for the best tequila brands, chosen by master distillers, bartenders and industry experts. Each tequila decanter is handcrafted by indigenous artisans in a small village in Mexico who create beautiful patterns on the ceramic surface of each bottle. It also tells you which tequila producer it comes from. Trying to get my wife to become a tequila drinker but she leans towards sweeter spirits. The rosado tequila is positioned as a daytime-friendly reposado, providing a high-quality option for afternoon sipping. This makes the Avila a great choice for solo sipping or mixing in cocktails. Tequila Matchmaker There's a tequila for everyone. Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails. First sip I was like wow this stuff is sweet. 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. 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. All of Casa Dragones tequilas are made in small batches using a sustainable production method. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! Made from 100% pure Weber Blue Agave harvested after 7 to 10 years of growing, this tequila is clean and crisp, and perfect for making margaritas and other mixed drinks. Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. The story you mention is from 2017: The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. 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." and is there an app you prefer for Mezcal? Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? Patron has stepped up with this seriously smooth, barrel-aged anejo. 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. Martinez adds that a reposado tequila can also work well in a margarita. 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. 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. 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. 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. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. 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. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. Great for sipping, Siempre is incredibly smooth and naturally sweet (I.e. ABV: 46.3%. The exceptionally smooth Blanco has a robust roasted agave taste and perfectly balanced finish that creates maximum sippability. Thank you! DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. 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.". 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? Remember they are saving time and money using them. Mijenta Tequila, $43+, Eterno Verano, which means "endless summer" in Spanish, was inspired by the 1966 movie The Endless Summer. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few . Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. This saddens me that this is all being done all in the name of profits vs integrity & honesty. 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. Comparing the difference between a retail bottle and testigo sample. The legal requirement is at least 51% blue agave. El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. So keep in mind the above mentioned brands that 'claim' to be 100% additive free may be just that, and most are high quality and fine tasting brands that I enjoy myself. Use this form to receive email alerts of any changes to this list. 2. Good for them.and Good for us. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, ADDITIVES IN TEQUILA & MY PERSONAL LIST OF ADDITIVE-FREE TEQUILA BRANDS, http://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422. Any comment would be most welcome . . The distillery actually sits on the edge of an extinct volcano, whose porous foundation acts as a natural filter for the spring water used to make their tequila. Silver tequila is great to drink on its own, but its great for mixed drinks as well. Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. You can read more about our methods and program goals, here. 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. It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. Eterno Verano, $52+, 21Seeds was started in 2019 by three moms turned female entrepreneurs whose vision was to create a great-tasting, smooth spirit with the infusion of fresh ingredients. 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. 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'? Our propietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best matches for you. 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. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. I didnt realize that the use of additives was such a thing in the tequila industry. I am excited to have this list in list forminstead of finding them individually on TMM app. Jessica Alba, Tinx, Jojo Fletcher and Kristin Cavallari are just a few famous faces that are mega fans of theiraward-winning varietiesCucumber Jalapeo, Valencia Orange and Grapefruit Hibiscusbut we have a feeling this isjust the seed of something bigger, flavor-wise. Break this one out for the most special of occasions. Check Price. As much as I love Tequila Matchmaker, I sadly have to use Distiller for my mezcal. . From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. View On Drizly View On Caskers. 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. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. Consider that mission achieved, plus they've built quite the celeb following! High-end tequila is a distinctive and expressive spirit that can be enjoyed in many different ways and this Mexican tipple, especially the aejo category, is now a firm favourite in the premium drinks class. Roca Patrn Silver ($69) Emphatically agave-scented, this is made with the traditional tahona method, using a two-ton volcanic rock to crush the roasted pias. Very smooth, nice taste, and perfect for sipping straight. STILL: Copper Pot. Then next sip I thought, wow, I cant believe how sweet this is 3rd sip and I was getting that aftertaste and I was like this stuff is too damn sweet, it tastes like artificial sweeteners, but thats impossible. I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: We dont have much production information on this product either. The Aejo promises notes of vanilla, caramel, cacao, and butterscotch, while the agave takes a supporting role. . 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. It would be a handy reference when shopping. The reposado, with an ABV of 40%, is aged for four months in ruby port wine casks that give it a signature pink color. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. This year's offering of . Do you believe that? My favorite expression in our portfolio is, of course, our new limited edition bottle that we just released to honor the 100-year anniversary of our original reposado recipe from 1922, says Martinez. Lalo is a great tequila blanco with no additives. 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. Region of Origin: All tequila comes from the Tequila region of Mexico, and in order for a spirit to call itself tequila, it must be distilled from agave plants grown in that region. These tequilas are soft, well-rounded and easy to drink, says Roy. This is one tequila brand youll want to display prominently on your bar cartand savor every last drop of! This is called the rectification stage, before bottling. Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. The margarita has always held a place in our hearts as an excellent sunny-day drinkmainly because it's refreshing and super simple to make. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Reposado's tasting notes consist of sweet maple, cooked agave, and toasted wood. 4. 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. Hi Josh. Azunia, which is also made at Ranco Miravalle, NOM 1426, is additive free. This is fantastic information and your website is an unbelievable resource, which I greatly appreciate. Thats what you get from Casa Nobles new aejo, a skillful and impressive blend of 12 extra aejos and nine aejos, aged in new French oak for one to five full years (most aejos are aged for a year max) with notes of ripe fruit, vanilla, white chocolate, roasted nuts, and spice. The oak extract can add oak aromas and flavors found in oak barrels, helping to confuse you even further in thinking it was aged much longer than it was. Unless the distillery owns the brand, the brand may have no definite idea what's in their bottle, and they have no choice but to trust the distillery. 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. According to The Spirits Business, the top-selling tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. 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. ), El Jimadors tequilas are made from 100% Weber blue agave with no fillers or added colors. Nobu AND QUI Tequila Launch Nobu Rare 2008 Reserve. Kristopher DeSoto was on a mission to create a more robust and expressive tequila than the kind usually found on U.S. shelves and he succeeded. 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? The Aejo variety is aged in American oak bourbon barrels for up to three years, which results in a nice blend of warm agave and oak flavors. 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. 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. Aejo cristalino is aged at least one year in white oak barrels then is filtered to remove its color and specific components to make it mellower, while conserving the sensory qualities of an aejo tequila we want to preserve, says Martinez. Now that you know the basics, here are nine more things you should know about the supermodel-approved premium tequila brand. So excited to confidently try some expressions that are verified free of additives. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. If your bottle doesnt have a NOM, that means its not certified by the TRC (Tequila Regulatory Council), and not an authentic Tequila producer. Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. They were. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . The Reposado expression is also aged in stripped and recharred American Oak bourbon barrels, which gives it a deliciously herbaceous toasted flavor. I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. Within the aejo category, there are also two variations: aejo cristalino and extra aejo. 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. 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. You can taste the additives in Kirkland tequilaThe best option is to not buy what doesnt disclose. What additives can you taste? This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. Thanks. 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. We deserve to know, don't you think? Are we assuming that tequilas on the additive free list are automatically not diffuser made as well? 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. Although this is perfectly legal, it is WRONG, and hopefully this will get cleared up soon on a future CRT ruling. Murillo also made a great point, saying he would lose his USDA Organic Certification, if he added any other ingredients, including color. You just need to know what to look for. 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.). Required fields are marked *. This tequila is from a distillery in the Jalisco, Mexico region featuring an ABV of 40%. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. $159.99. 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. Youll get a lot of flavors that also are found in whiskeys, like creme brle, toast and rich vanilla. Aejo tequilas are sometimes finished for several months in sherry or port wine casks to add nutty or fruity notes, adds Roy. There are 4 types of additives allowed by law for use in all** 100% agave tequilas: 1. 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. So what do people think about all these claims? When El Bandido Yankee Tequila founders made the decision to delve into the rich and storied world of handcrafted tequila, they knew one thing for certain: Their tequila would be authentically crafted the right way with zero additives. If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, tequila may be the better choice. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. 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. I'm sure the brands are well aware of this, which only makes the problem worse. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. YOU and only you will have to make that decision, to believe these brands by tasting and trusting them. Don Julio. 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. The additive-free spirit retails for $125.99 and is currently available for presale on ReserveBar. 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. 3. And fun fact: It was created in tribute to the year Don Julio Gonzlez started his tequila-making journey. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options. In other words. to deceive us. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. There are three main types of tequila to choose from. Its called Mezquila, the worlds first and only tequila-mezcal blend. Initially launching in California, Florida, Texas, New York . Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. We live in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. They could contain additives and still be considered organic.. A distillery can still be verified if they have additive use in their facility they just need to declare which ones are using additives so we can focus on the ones that dont. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. Hi Keith. Besides margaritas, Roy shares these three delicious cocktails you can make with tequila: Related:15 Interesting Things to Mix With Tequila, From blanco to reposado to aejo, Patrn offers every type of tequila you could desire. Blancos are also usually cheaper. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. This list is small now, but I hope to add more brands if it is warranted.
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