Reposado tequila is also aged but the aging process can be anywhere from two months to 11 months. Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. We want to hear it. Blancos are also usually cheaper. Mijenta Tequila | Marketplace Break this one out for the most special of occasions. Best value tequila: Corralejo Reposado. 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. 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. El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) The Best Bottles of Tequila for Cinco de Mayo - InsideHook 40% alcohol by volume in tequila is typical. 30 Best Tequila Brands to Try Now (2023) - The Trend Spotter 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. Although not technically tequila, Revels Avila should be on every tequila and mezcal fans radar. 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. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. It has a smooth, even finish. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. 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. 15 Best Tequila Brands Of 2021: Expert Sipping Guide - Luxe Digital Don Julio. I just dont see us going there, even if we come off as snobby or elitist. Now thats a game changer APP that would get you many more subscribers. The 6 Best Margarita Mixes of 2023 - The Spruce Eats 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. The additive-free spirit retails for $125.99 and is currently available for presale on ReserveBar. REGION: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) COOKING: Stone/Brick Ovens. When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. This incredible distillate features notes of olives, herbs, earth and grass. Olmeca Altos has won quite a few awards over the years and are worthy of a place on your bar cart. Just wondering how I can tell is a brand that is not on your list is or is not additive free. 2) Both Pasote and El Tesoro de Don Felipe are additive free in their entire lineup. I mean Jimador is a diffuser product, so this is quite interesting and hard to believe for sure. $46 at Reserve Bar. 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. They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Tequila Kateri Nom 1439, First step: Getting the product listed in the app. And just like wine, tequila can be aged in a number of different containers, from oak barrels to steel drums. I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. The tequila is made from 100 percent all-natural, fully matured Blue Weber agave artisanally produced without additives or diffusers. Espoln Blanco Tequila. View more. Its best sipped slow for a warm, inviting mouthfeel. 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. If youre hosting a party or large gathering, youll want to stock up on bottles of Espoln. They could contain additives and still be considered organic.. Made from 100% blue agave, Tequila Cazadores undergoes a seven-step sustainable, zero-waste production process that includes double distillation, double fermentation and careful maturation. Thank you for the list, what kind of additives are you talking about? Cenote says the water goes through a reverse osmosis process and carbon filters with silver ions help to eliminate any chance of impurities affecting the taste. Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). 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. Hi Josh. Popular Brands. The Rocks premium tequila brand has been flying off store shelves ever since its launch in 2020. However, we need someone willing to be the curator of each spirit. ** There are some confusing rules in the NORMA that appear to allow the use of additives in a blanco. But they were removed when they were not able to complete the annual re-confirmation process. 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. 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, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. Tasha . We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. Tequila Patrn, for example, has a NOM of 1492. Best Non Alcoholic Tequila with Photos and Mocktails Tested 2) We will eventually create this list within the app itself. 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. You can enjoy them neat, over ice or mixed into a cocktail. Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails. I contacted Jose Cuervo, Cazadores and Sauza to ask about any additives in their 100% agave tequilas to see what they'd say. From their signature silver and reposado tequilas to their ultra-premium extra aejo, youre sure to love these award-winning spirits for their taste and quality. Although partly owned by Bacardi since 2017, Ilegal remains one of the most sustainable and socially engaged mezcal brands around, having been founded in 2006 by John Rexer to supply his bar in Antigua, Guatemala. I texted, emailed, filled out forms in some cases, and attempted to call to get a statement. Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? 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. Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. 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. In the spirit world, pure vodka is earthy and mildly sweet, whereas vodka containing rye is bland and sweet. It quickly became a staple then and is a mainstay still today. Thanks. If you're still going for corn-based alcohols (not just whiskey, bourbon and rye, but some gins and vodkas, too), pick ones made with non-GMO corn. Oct 28, 2022. Though it may be controversial, 818 Tequila is undoubtedly one of the most popular agave spirits on the market right now. 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. Now the additive list is also fantastic tool to recognize the brands that have a commitment to offering a true quality product. Before being triple distilled, this silver tequila had the tropical fruit cooked in traditional stone . If you want to feel like a celebrity while sipping tequila, then this is definitely the brand for you. Consider that mission achieved, plus they've built quite the celeb following! Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. This tequila gets its name from the year of its creation, so yeah, you've got a spirit with a more than 200-year history. This tequila is produced in the lowlands of the Jalisco region, so it wont exhibit the same sweetness or fruit-forward flavors as some of the other picks on our list. The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. 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. 2. Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. 2. There are four total categories of additives according to the Consejo Regulador . Tom Sizemore, Heat and Saving Private Ryan Actor, Dead at 61 Avion founder Ken Austin, said that Avion is 100% additive free, and cited the light color in the anejo. We deserve to know, don't you think? According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. The . These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. G4 Premium Blanco Tequila 108 Proof | Marketplace The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. This is an unpretentious, no-nonsense tequila with nothing added, just 100% blue Weber agave. What you get is pure flavor thats perfect for sipping or adding to cocktails. Often it is to 'balance' the batches in appearance, so they are the same color before blending. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. 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. 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. (NOM 1579) -6 marks. The List: Best Tequila, According To Experts. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. I want to stay away from additives. . Are tequilas marked organic additive free? El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. 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. "We choose to . Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. Founder Don Francisco changed the tequila process forever as he was the first person to cook agave in little ovens. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. We are legit worried that the sweeter, more vanilla, candy-like additive products will change the publics idea of what a natural tequila is. The crystal-clear Bribon is unaged with vegetal earthy notes that work well in a margarita, paloma, or old-fashioned, though Jessica Fallon, general Manager of Ladybirds in Houston, Texas, says she prefers drinking it on the rocks. 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. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. YOU and only you will have to make that decision, to believe these brands by tasting and trusting them. This amazing additive-free liquid is produced using only the Clase Azuls tequila comes in this instantly recognizable (and supremely collectible) bottle, which you see on the top shelf of high-end bars and restaurants. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. I want the Real Thing. The reposado, with an ABV of 40%, is aged for four months in ruby port wine casks that give it a signature pink color. So who knows what a distillery may do to 'enhance' a contract brands juice, for their own convenience. 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. Is Your Tequila Confirmed Additive-Free? - El Bandido Yankee Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. 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. In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. 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. Answers: (Rule number one: Never buy tequila that . Patron has stepped up with this seriously smooth, barrel-aged anejo. I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. Although this is perfectly legal, it is WRONG, and hopefully this will get cleared up soon on a future CRT ruling. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. "And nobody is hitting the . From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. Dulce Vida, $28+, This rare, handcrafted extra aejo is a complex sipping spirit with layers of flavor to unravel. Frank Mendez of 'Gran Dovejo' said "we are 100% transparent which include being 100% additive free and the idea of creating GD actually came about due to the use of additives and misleading marketing practices found in the industry." A Non-Alcoholic Tequila Has Entered The Market - Forbes " 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%. What are the additive-free tequila brands? | News York Time According to recent market research, tequila has seen significant growth in bars and restaurants across the country over the last couple of years. Its like a fine wine thats been aged to perfection. Total Wine. Organic Tequila vs. Regular - Drinking the Best Tequila - Aldez Tequila Don Abraham Organic Blanco Tequila. SHOP NOW. 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. The rosado tequila is positioned as a daytime-friendly reposado, providing a high-quality option for afternoon sipping. I do enjoy Clasa Azul which is made by Productos Finos de Agave, I believe. All that aside, the tequila is good, made using traditional methods with no additives, according to the brand. I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: Thank you for creating it. We live in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. Best Value: Pueblo Viejo Blanco. Youve also probably seen flavored tequila, which is tequila infused with things like coconut, lime, strawberry or jalapeno. El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. Keep in mind I only mention brands that make rested and aged expressions that I have personally tasted. The 5 Best Organic Tequila Brands The Honest Consumer 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. Comparing the difference between a retail bottle and testigo sample. I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. 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. When I drink tequila, I want to be drinking tequila and nothing else. Essences or flavorings are still additives, and these can include vanilla or herbs used to alter or create a flavor. The compounds have a purpose and can correct any irregularities to make sure a brand makes the same tasting tequila time after time, but additives can also flatten tequila's natural flavors or add an unnatural sweetness. Everything is made in with 100% blue weber agave and is confirmed all-natural and additive-free for a tequila that goes down smooth and silky. I love that some of my favorites are already here and some that I need try. Diffuser-made products *can* be additive-free, but as of this writing there are no products made with a diffuser on the list. While some tequilas make us pucker, or burn the inside of our mouths and throats, Cenotes Blanco Tequila is light, mellow and refreshing. Though we prefer El Bandido Yankee as a sipping tequila (it really is as criminally smooth as the brand says), the flavor has enough bite to make for some beautiful cocktails, too. Its one of only a handful of 100% de Agave Gold tequilas. Check Price. 2. After all, taste is a personal and a subjective thing, but I wonder as so many 'crossover' drinkers are coming to aged tequilas, if many of these consumers fail to recognize their preference is for the familiar and pleasant flavors associated with oak, and have no problem accepting this, even if it's artificially colored and flavored. German Gonzalez of t1 explained he is "free of additives" for t1 products as well as his 'Tears of Llorona' as well as David Suro, who as an early believer of tequila transparency, said at 'Siembra Spirits' "we don't use any additives or artificial flavors in any of our expressions". Trending I hope more brands/distilleries jump on this protocol. The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. . Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more.