Why mess with a good thing? Why? Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. Technically a barrel which has not been overused, will not need to have additives or essences. Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. 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. 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. These are often referred to as a Mixto, where colors and flavors are added prior to bottling. Murillo also made a great point, saying he would lose his USDA Organic Certification, if he added any other ingredients, including color. Although this is perfectly legal, it is WRONG, and hopefully this will get cleared up soon on a future CRT ruling. Jose Cuervo, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. It truly is a paragon of the subregion and doesn't get much better given its price point. Tequila Fortaleza, $47+, One of the top five selling tequilas in the world, Hornitos is a premium tequila brand crafted with 100% blue agave. 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. Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. 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. I love your reviews? We later learned that additives were indeed being used in blanco tequilas and that a loophole in the NORMA made this possible. ok, but your 2018 post titled The Lowdown on Tequila Additives stated that was banned by the norma . The Best New-School Tequila Brands. Grover and Scarlet, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. Reposado means rested in Spanish. First sip I was like wow this stuff is sweet. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. 9 Things You Should Know About 818 Tequila. Zarpado Tequila Blanco. Remember they are saving time and money using them. The Norma Oficial Mexicana number (or NOM) is assigned by the Mexican government and certifies that the bottle youre holding is authentic tequila produced in Mexico. Want to know more? The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. 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. It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. Thanks for a complete list and for clarifying about Blancos and the NOM loophole, as well as everything else you do. But if you want a drink that is a little smoother, vodka may be the way to go. Do you have any plans to verify if Don Julio is additive-free? When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. Not clear on the response to Josh Ohlingerare all blancos additive-free, regardless of distillery? Hes been in the tequila business for almost thirty years, starting out with the award-winning Cabo Wabo brand back in 1991. Each batch is distilled for a minimum of two months in stainless steel barrels, and delivers a nice mix of sweet agave, light citrus and just a hint of vanilla. Sometimes using french oak barrels may make you 'think' there are additives, because it can taster very sweet, even overly sweet. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco Checking production records at NOM 1123 (Cascahun), Checking production records at NOM 1492 (Tequila Patrn). Again it's YOU that decides this. Oct 28, 2022. No additives . (NOM 1579) -6 marks. What you get is pure flavor thats perfect for sipping or adding to cocktails. none of the artificial additives that make you pucker); try it over ice for a refreshing summer tequila tasting too. Produced using the tequila-making traditions of the Los Bajos region and its tequilieras, the tequila is meticulously aged inFrench White Oakred wine (Cabernet) barrels from Napa Valley. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options. 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. Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. 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. From now on, I may honestly just shop for tequilas that are on your list. Are they true, who can you believe? 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. You can use the form (below) to subscribe to email alerts any time this list changes. Thank you! Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. The Champagne yeast we use allows the Highland agave to shine, showcasing the cooked agave flavor up front with fruity and floral notes following. Gonzlezs family has been in the tequila business for generations (his grandfather was the legendary Don Julio Gonzlez), so you know he knows his stuff! 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. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. 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. Our top pick is the Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022, a single-estate tequila that's perfect for sipping. The result is a collection of blanco, reposado and aejo spirits that are made from 100% blue agave and perfectly capture summer in a bottle. I just dont see us going there, even if we come off as snobby or elitist. We like the Maestro Dobel 50, a smooth and complex Extra Aejo Cristalino thats aged in American and Eastern European oak barrels, then twice-distilled in copper pot sills. Although it can be hard to taste for sure as these people are pros, and can add them in strategically in a very subtle way, I will say that in my opinion you would be VERY surprised to know the huge percentage of brands that must be using some additive in their tequila. Guillermo Erickson Sauza of 'Fortaleza' told me "we don't add any additives, and we don't make tequila for anyone", and I was told that 'Siete Leguas' never uses any flavorings, colorings, or additives, as well as 'Tequila Caballito Cerrero' and San Matias. 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. Sauza, $20+, Cenote is an ultra-premium tequila inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula. CODIGO 1530. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. 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. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. Hiatus uses a ground-to-glass method which combines traditional methods and modern technology, produced by master distiller, Luis Trejo Rodrguez at La Cofrada. 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. Silver tequila is great to drink on its own, but its great for mixed drinks as well. Don Julio. $46 at Reserve Bar. 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. W/ additives. These young tequilas are less expensive and typically used in bars and restaurants for making mixed drinks. What Are the Best Cocktails to Make With Tequila (Other Than Margaritas)? The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. Lalo is a great tequila blanco with no additives. Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. What a great resource you have put together. These tequilas are soft, well-rounded and easy to drink, says Roy. I'm guessing many of these drinkers do not detect the taste of agave or try to, and it seems to take a backseat to the flavor of oak. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. The more tequilas you taste and really scrutinize, the easier it gets to pick out additive flavorings. 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. Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. Maybe Distiller could help for you? Its an easy-drinking bottle, ideal for upgraded cocktails (think, Aejo old fashioneds) or sipping on the rocks. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Break this one out for the most special of occasions. ABV/PROOF: 54% abv (108-proof) Confirmed Additive Free Tequila. This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. This saddens me that this is all being done all in the name of profits vs integrity & honesty. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. ** There are some confusing rules in the NORMA that appear to allow the use of additives in a blanco. A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. Drink experts agree tequila is best had in cocktails or by slowly sipping so you can enjoy the complexity of the spirit. One percent today, with condensed additives are enough to change things. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. Often it is to 'balance' the batches in appearance, so they are the same color before blending. 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. Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. The Reposado expression is also aged in stripped and recharred American Oak bourbon barrels, which gives it a deliciously herbaceous toasted flavor. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. The . It quickly became a staple then and is a mainstay still today. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. 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. The aging process will also change the color of a tequila. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. Buy El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila $39.99. Youll also want to consider what the tequila is being used for. According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. 2. LALO Tequila, $50, Speaking of Don Julio, no list of the best tequila brands would be complete without this iconic option! The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: 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. Nobu AND QUI Tequila Launch Nobu Rare 2008 Reserve. The brand offers blanco, reposado and aejo varieties as well as pre-made margaritas, mixes and canned cocktails. Pure agave tequila is low in sugar, has no carbohydrates, and (minus sugary juice mixers) is fairly low-calorie, too. When you taste too much vanilla, and we call that a 'vanilla bomb', that often means extra vanilla extract powder was added. This is called the rectification stage, before bottling. Patrn, one of most well-known tequila brands in the world, actually offers a diverse portfolio of authentic tequilas that you wont find in nightclubs or seedy bars. Within the aejo category, there are also two variations: aejo cristalino and extra aejo. Mijenta Tequila, $43+, Eterno Verano, which means "endless summer" in Spanish, was inspired by the 1966 movie The Endless Summer. 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. In other words. to deceive us. The best Tequilas are not overly-priced, nor do they typically come in extravagant bottles and 99.9% of the time they are not celebrity owned or hyped. 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. According to The Spirits Business, the top-selling tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. At the time, that was enough for us. 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. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? Average Price: $115.