WATER SOURCE: Natural spring water, Rain water. Silver (or Blanco) tequila is probably the most well-known, and it typically appears perfectly clear in the bottle. Olmeca Altos has won quite a few awards over the years and are worthy of a place on your bar cart. Their agave is slow-cooked in brick ovens and then distilled in copper. Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. I hope more distilleries become a part of this project! Don Julio. The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. 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 company says it sources naturally filtered water from an artesian well located at their distillery, which sits at the base of the Jalisco volcano. Buy El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila $39.99. Grover and Scarlet, Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! Our top pick is the Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022, a single-estate tequila that's perfect for sipping. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Aejo's tasting notes consist of roasted coffee, dried fruit, and vanilla. 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. 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. Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. Aged from one to three years, this tequila pulls notes from whatever barrels it sits in, says Roy. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. 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". A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. Your email address will not be published. The story you mention is from 2017: Average Price: $115. Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. The ones that have indicated to me that they 'only' use some caramel coloring (even with no flavoring) to avoid differences in color, will not be mentioned below, as that doesn't cut it here. I want to stay away from additives. Why mess with a good thing? It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Thanks, This micro-distillery produces premium tequila, inspired by the legend of a medicine man known as Don Cazcabel. Chock full of artificial sweeteners by my pallet. Thank you for the clarification. Others gave similar statements, while others could have.. but would not. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Blancos are also usually cheaper. Are tequilas marked organic additive free? 9. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. "Among agave experts, Fortaleza is one of the most revered brands in tequila. A Carlos Newton describes himself on the label as the Master Distiller with the content described as extra aged 100% de agave batch A-9. Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. The best tequila brands use only the heart of the pia (the heart of the agave) and a slow pressing method using a tahona, which is a large stone disc used to crush the juice from the pias after they have been roasted and/or steamed, she says. Youve also probably seen flavored tequila, which is tequila infused with things like coconut, lime, strawberry or jalapeno. Jose Cuervo, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. . It has a smooth, even finish. $159.99. 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. 1. Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. Others like Jose Hermosillo of Casa Noble told me "we use no additives, that is why we do the kosher certification." I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. The tech side is easy, the admin side is not! Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. Remember they are saving time and money using them. I respect people that want quality and are not cutting corners, and promise they will never use any additives. These distilleries are: Patron Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) -2 brands. 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. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. I even contacted ones that some people feel are definite abusers. The Mezquila is more flavorful than your typical tequila, but not in-your-face smokey like most mezcals. 2. Patrn Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) [2 brands] El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) We love the Grand Patrn Burdeos (find it here), which is twice-distilled and aged in used American and new French Oak barrels, before being finished in vintage Bordeaux barrels (Burdeos means Bordeaux in Spanish). As much as I love Tequila Matchmaker, I sadly have to use Distiller for my mezcal. Like all of Casa Nobles offerings, this one is certified organic, and has a limited number of bottles in select cities around the country. The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. This list will be updated each time a brand is added (or removed) from the program. 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. The tequila is made from 100 percent all-natural, fully matured Blue Weber agave artisanally produced without additives or diffusers. 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. 2. They can change the taste, by making the tequila sweeter with sugar based syrups or "jarabes", which can also include flavors and aromas, and this isn't just agave syrup, but a number of sugar based products, like cane sugar, aspartame, corn syrup, sucralose (Splenda), and stevia. Still, its $500+ price-point doesnt exactly make it an accessible bottle to buy. 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. https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/, In that story, and right after that claim is an asterisk, which states (at the bottom): Jose Cuervo, $26+, Related:35+ Best Canned Cocktails and Drinks, Looking for the best sipping tequila? 2- If quality and purity is your concern, as it is for me, go with brands that are known for NOT using additives, or don't seem to care about dark and rich consistent colors, and don't taste overly sweet, artificial, or unnaturally rich. 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/. 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. Is it possible to get some of the additive free cards to display on the shelves of the certain tequilas in a store? Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. 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. So who knows what a distillery may do to 'enhance' a contract brands juice, for their own convenience. Its called Mezquila, the worlds first and only tequila-mezcal blend. El EZ E, Im also a fan of the Kirkland Anejo. 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. Elegant and complex, on the nose you'll find sweet spice, elegant oak and . The tequila finishes with a little heat before going down smooth. Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! 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. This INCLUDES the legal 1% allowance, and I made that an important point to each brand. What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? Send us a tip using our anonymous form. I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. We dont have much production information on this product either. I wish something like this was posted in stores. Fortaleza Blanco. Popular Brands. A final proprietary filtration process gives the cristalino the sparkling crystal-clear appearance from which it gets its name. 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 . I mean Jimador is a diffuser product, so this is quite interesting and hard to believe for sure. This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. 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? 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.). Both tequilas are smooth, complex and crafted from hand-selected pias that are harvested at peak maturity. The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis. This is called the rectification stage, before bottling. Thanks for a complete list and for clarifying about Blancos and the NOM loophole, as well as everything else you do. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Also be on the lookout for Santo's excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. 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. There are 4 types of additives allowed by law for use in all** 100% agave tequilas: 1. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. This means youll pick up some herbs and light smokiness with a mellow bite, making the Santo Mezquila great for adventurous cocktails or unique tasting on its own. Just mix 1.5 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec, and a squeeze of fresh lime. 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). Are they true, who can you believe? I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. Although trusting people is always a gamble, we really do have some very knowledgeable contract-brand owners, that know exactly what is in their products, have integrity, and are way more involved than some others. A sneaky trick is to 'flavor' additives, which some brands endeavor to cover up, by simply naming them 'essences'. Bell Flavors & Fragrances (above) and Symrise Flavorings are just two companies supplying these additives. 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? 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. 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. Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. Buy Casa Noble Marqus de Casa Noble $175.99. In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. However, we need someone willing to be the curator of each spirit. Do you have plans or know of any plans to do something similar with Agave Spirits? Buy Santo Mezquila $49.99. 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. Nobu AND QUI Tequila Launch Nobu Rare 2008 Reserve. Choose from blanco, aejo, reposado and more. Vivanco (NOM 1414) -7 brands. . 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. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. 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. Nathan. This list is awesome! What do you think about that do you agree? Read Full Article. Cons. The top five best-selling tequila brands run the gamut from budget picks to higher-end options. Excited to be launching the World's Most Awarded Tequila - Cierto! 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. Coloring and other additives usually go in after aging and before bottling. There are . 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. 74.95. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. JAJA is proudly additive-free. A carefully handcrafted tequila produced in small batches, the Chamucos Blanco features notes of vanilla, citrus, cinnamon and fennel. But they were removed when they were not able to complete the annual re-confirmation process. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. 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. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. Diffuser-made products *can* be additive-free, but as of this writing there are no products made with a diffuser on the list. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. and whole industries have grown from this use of additives. 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. This saddens me that this is all being done all in the name of profits vs integrity & honesty. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. March 3, 2023 This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. Drink brands from Europe where GMOs are (nearly) banned. Its best sipped slow for a warm, inviting mouthfeel. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. This tequila is from a distillery in the Jalisco, Mexico region featuring an ABV of 40%. Another thing to look for aside: a four-digit number that represents each distillerys unique code. The secret to Cenotes smoothness? 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. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. In other words. to deceive us. 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. Or is there a separate list for non-diffuser made tequilas? Great to see many of my favorites have made the list! I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. 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. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. 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. and is there an app you prefer for Mezcal? Cenote Tequila, $41+, Olmeca Altos tequilas are made from 100% blue agave grown in Los Altos, the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. These are often referred to as a Mixto, where colors and flavors are added prior to bottling. This is a 'Hot Topic' and people will hold these brands accountable. 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. Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. We like what the brand is doing with the no-for-profit S.A.C.R.E.D too, which re-invests 100% of proceeds from merchandise and a portion of tequila sales back into the local Mexican communities where agave spirits are made to identify and support vital needs. One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. 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. Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. Casa Dragones, $70+, Most tequilas are aged in American oak, but Casa Noble is different. When aejo tequila is done right, its at once rich and flavorful, smooth yet complex. 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. Your email address will not be published. Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. Lalo is a great tequila blanco with no additives. 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. El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. It has notes of vanilla, ripe fruit and butter and can be enjoyed neat, with salt and lime, chilled, or however else you like to drink your tequila. 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. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. ), just want to know what kind of additives they would use. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. 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. The brand offers two options: reposado cristalino and aejo. Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. 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. The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. The popular Reposado goes from $150-$170 a bottle, and the Anejo is . I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: 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. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time $149.99. The usual list is G4, Terralta, Pasote, Fortaleza, Cascahuin, El Tesoro, Tapatio, Siete Leguas, Olmeca Altos, and a few others. The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. 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'? On Sale. 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 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. Don Abraham Organic Blanco Tequila. So what do people think about all these claims? 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.
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