The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time You can read more about our methods and program goals, here. (They even make their own compost!) I'm told it's possible a brand who contracts at a distillery may not even be aware if there are additives in their own tequila. It's also free of common allergens. 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): The 11 Best Tequilas to Drink in 2023 - The Spruce Eats The experts pointed to a line in the guidelines that read additives "must not be greater than 1% in relation to the total weight of the tequila before it is bottled. 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? Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. "We think it's 70% by sales volume last year, so there will always be fewer additive free-tequilas," Scarlet tells me. In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. 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! 4. The List: Best Tequila, According To Experts. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few . Sophie Decobecq of 'Calle 23' said we use no additives and as for caramel "this is why our color is not consistent, which is why my last anejo batch is much clearer, and I am fine with this." 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. According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. This is called the rectification stage, before bottling. Don Julio. Jose Cuervo, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. Thanks. 30 Best Tequila Brands to Try Now (2023) - The Trend Spotter Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. 13. :-). 9. Thank you so much for putting this together and committing to keeping it updated! $68 at Reserve Bar. Highlights: Mezcal made with sustainably cultivated agave by a company that is highly socially engaged. I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: There are a handful of smooth, premium-tasting tequilas you can get for under $100 too. 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. Best Tequilas for 2023: Top 5 Bottles Most Recommended By Expert This crystal-clear . I so much appreciate the app and have let it assist in guiding my agave journey! In the world of spirits, tequila is currently having a moment. In addition to the core expressions, if you're really looking to splurge you can try the extra anejo, aged for seven long years in ex-whiskey barrels, and priced at $350 . Dano's Dangerous Tequila Pineapple & Jalapeo Fresh Fruit Infusion. (NOM 1579) -6 marks. Thank you for creating it. There is a variety of flavors to tequila, depending on the amount of sugar in it as well as how long it has been aged. Don't believe us? "Additives are designed to soften the rough edges of a tequila, to add a flavor that is not present in tequila when it is distilled.", explained David Alan, director of business education and mixology of PATRN to Vine Pair. The repo, aged in new barrels for 2-6 months, is closer to what you'd usually find in an aejo. It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. Siempre. Best tequila with no additives/ sweeteners under 80$ Photo credit: Courtesy. It is a number that appears on every bottle of tequila that indicates which company or distillery is responsible for its production. Best value tequila: Corralejo Reposado. I want to stay away from additives. Azunia, which is also made at Ranco Miravalle, NOM 1426, is additive free. DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! 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. Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. significant growth in bars and restaurants. . The 30 Best Tequilas for 2022 | VinePair 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"). We deserve to know, don't you think? 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. As I asked for their word on 100% additive free (including the legal 1%), let it be understood that misleading consumers is as far as I'm concerned, a reflection on these brands, and THEY are the ones that should look bad. . Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. Don Julio. 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. Casa Del Sol. The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. 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. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. This is an unpretentious, no-nonsense tequila with nothing added, just 100% blue Weber agave. Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. 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. (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) Is Your Tequila Confirmed Additive-Free? - El Bandido Yankee This is just artificial flavor, and another trick being presented to the tequila drinking community. Now thats a game changer APP that would get you many more subscribers. Hi Keith. Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. All that aside, the tequila is good, made using traditional methods with no additives, according to the brand. When aejo tequila is done right, its at once rich and flavorful, smooth yet complex. Thank you for the list, what kind of additives are you talking about? The blanco, reposado and aejo spirits were created by Palm Bay International, in partnership with Casa Don Roberto, using fully matured agaves that have been harvested by hand. do you agree with these brands? Give it a try! Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. Check Price. Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. Surprise Surprise. El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. 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. 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. Jose Cuervo, $26+, Related:35+ Best Canned Cocktails and Drinks, Looking for the best sipping tequila? 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. I texted, emailed, filled out forms in some cases, and attempted to call to get a statement. 1. What Are the Best Cocktails to Make With Tequila (Other Than Margaritas)? The Best New-School Tequila Brands. The additive-free spirit retails for $125.99 and is currently available for presale on ReserveBar. 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. 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. 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. 100% Agave: Tequila comes from the agave plant, but not all tequilas are made with 100% agave sugar. The brand has been around since 1950. 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". Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the agave blue tequilanaWeber plant that can only be produced in certain regions of Mexico, explains David Rodriguez, master distiller for Patrn Tequila. 1. Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. Clasa Azul is an additive-loaded tequila of low quality and is extraordinarily overpriced. Codigo 1530 Barrel Strength Limited Bottling Anejo Tequila. Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. This list will be updated each time a brand is added (or removed) from the program. 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. There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. 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. 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. Clooney, and co-founder Rande Gerber, say they wanted to make, the best-tasting, smoothest tequila that didnt have to be covered up with salt or lime.. Best Value: Pueblo Viejo Blanco. Hes been in the tequila business for almost thirty years, starting out with the award-winning Cabo Wabo brand back in 1991. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. Have you heard anything from their distillery? Adding additives and or color usually occurs towards the end of production before bottling, in the 'rectification'. This makes the Avila a great choice for solo sipping or mixing in cocktails. 2. 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. Patrn Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) [2 brands] El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) 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.). Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila Brand Is Problematic - InStyle The result is a clean, smooth tequila. WATER SOURCE: Natural spring water, Rain water. I will go from this list next time I am picking a tequila to taste and buy. 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. Silver tequila is great to drink on its own, but its great for mixed drinks as well. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. Thats why I stick to and fully endorse the products from NOM1146 . I mean Jimador is a diffuser product, so this is quite interesting and hard to believe for sure. 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 typical tequila is composed of 60% Agave oil, with no flavor. Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? 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. The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. dried fruit, and vanilla. ABV/PROOF: 54% abv (108-proof) Confirmed Additive Free Tequila. 27 February 2023 By Alice Brooker. Clase Azul, $137+, Casa Dragones is a small-batch tequila producer that crafts some of the smoothest tequilas on the market. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. August 4, 2021. 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. Certain producers like Felipe Camarena wouldn't dream of doing any of this, and Camarena told me "it's about credibility, not about promises from the producer". Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. We sat down with Mijenta Tequila's UK brand ambassador, Tasha Iny, to discuss future launches, and why producers should steer clear of adding flavours. Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! Can I assume that if the distillery is verified, that all of their products are free from additives? So, what exactly should you consider when shopping for tequila? Espoln Blanco Tequila. Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. Ive been out of the tequila world for many years, but loved the NOM look up to be able to see other tequilas that may have a similar profile. Youll also want to consider what the tequila is being used for. Cazcabel. Martinez adds that a reposado tequila can also work well in a margarita. 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. 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. Though it may be controversial, 818 Tequila is undoubtedly one of the most popular agave spirits on the market right now. In addition to a number of other brands, Don Julio, Tequila . 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. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Reposado's tasting notes consist of sweet maple, cooked agave, and toasted wood. JAJA is proudly additive-free. 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. 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. Reposado means rested in Spanish. High-quality tequila producers will use 100%, but others may use things like sugar or molasses to make their product cheaper, adds Roy. Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. If after a few seconds the tequila maintains its consistency and your hands feel dry as they would from a few drops of water, then you likely have an additive-free tequila. 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. 1. Rodriguezs favorite in the collection is the classic Patrn Silver. Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. 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. 15 Bartender-Approved Tequilas To Bridge Winter And Spring Remember they are saving time and money using them. Their distillery (NOM 1480 Las Americas) has denied their request. Want to know more? We dont have much production information on this product either. Any comment would be most welcome . The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. This is tequila thats only aged for a few weeks, so it doesnt have time to develop the color and characteristics that come from a longer aging process. Founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 2018, Danos Tequila just won Best in Class Aejo at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The brand offers two options: reposado cristalino and aejo. You rock, Grover and Scarlet! 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. Is Patron no longer additive free as of 10/2022? So what do you think? March 3, 2023 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. Thank you for the clarification. Casamigos, $55+, The recipe for Tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. Other brands, some very popular did not answer me back on giving me their 'guarantee' and 'assurances' that no additives what so ever are used in their products. Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. Why mess with a good thing? Drink experts agree tequila is best had in cocktails or by slowly sipping so you can enjoy the complexity of the spirit. The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. We mention products that contain additives in our content, but were not going out of our way to promote them. 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. 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. Additive-Free Tequila: Regulations and Why I Prefer No Additives Enjoying catching up on your videos and love the passion you two have to this wonderful juice! I hope more distilleries become a part of this project! 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. Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. I wish something as concise was available for other agave spirits. If you try this tequila neat, youll notice notes of maple, vanilla and caramel, balanced with pepper and floral tones.