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. W/ additives. The result is a clean, smooth tequila. 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. 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. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. Tequila Matchmaker is the only rating system smart enough to detect your personal preferences and match you with the tequilas that are right for you. Oct 28, 2022. Total Wine. I love that some of my favorites are already here and some that I need try. 2. 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? August 4, 2021. Dulce Vida, $28+, This rare, handcrafted extra aejo is a complex sipping spirit with layers of flavor to unravel. They blame us the consumer, as they say WE need to see the same color consistency each time we purchase a brand, and we would be 'alarmed' if it looked different. All of Cincoros tequilas are made with 100% Weber blue agave from private farms in Jalisco, Mexico and are produced in small batches. 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. And fun fact: It was created in tribute to the year Don Julio Gonzlez started his tequila-making journey. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few . Vanilla and Cocoa powder (chocolate) are also considered a type of oak extract, and although vanilla is not part of the 1% group, vanilla is something that can occur naturally in a barrel, but it is naturally 'subtle'. 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. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. (Rule number one: Never buy tequila that . The Reposado features notes of sweet vanilla, oak, mushrooms, ginger, caramel and citrus, which gives it that perfect balance of earthiness, sweetness and spiciness with an easy finish and no lingering aftertaste. There are plenty of other websites, YouTube channels, Instagram and TikTok accounts that happily promote additive-filled tequila. In addition to auditing the production, we ask a lot of questions and perform a sensorial analysis throughout various stages of the tequila-making process. 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. 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. You rock, Grover and Scarlet! The distillery is steeped in a rich history, tracing its . Hes been in the tequila business for almost thirty years, starting out with the award-winning Cabo Wabo brand back in 1991. Jose Cuervo . 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. 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. 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. Technically a barrel which has not been overused, will not need to have additives or essences. Keep in mind I only mention brands that make rested and aged expressions that I have personally tasted. Bribon Reposado Tequila. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. Initially launching in California, Florida, Texas, New York . 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. 5. Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco 74.95. In the world of spirits, tequila is currently having a moment. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. $68 at Reserve Bar. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. Pasote and El Tesoro de Don Felipe are both listed as an additive-free distilleries, but their respective XAs are not marked as Additive-free. 9. The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. I have a couple questions: For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. I do believe it's safe to say that products made by the quality brands mentioned below on my favorites list, seem to be completely additive free. 40% alcohol by volume in tequila is typical. Checking production records at NOM 1123 (Cascahun), Checking production records at NOM 1492 (Tequila Patrn). 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. However, it smells smoky like mezcal or charred wood, and there's a hint of that tequila agave scent. Within the aejo category, there are also two variations: aejo cristalino and extra aejo. 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. Siempre. Again it's YOU that decides this. Enjoying catching up on your videos and love the passion you two have to this wonderful juice! From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Both tequilas are smooth, complex and crafted from hand-selected pias that are harvested at peak maturity. 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. The brand founders wanted to recreate the sense of wanderlust experienced by the surfers in the movie. This was our first super premium 100% Weber blue agave tequila, and it changed America's perceptions about tequila, he says. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. Aged from one to three years, this tequila pulls notes from whatever barrels it sits in, says Roy. I say keep it pure and natural. 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. But that said, despite what . Founded by three best friends in Canada, Siempre combines a unique flavor profile (think notes of pepper, sea salt/brine, sweet berries and candied citrus) with a traditional tequila making process using 100% agave. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? 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. Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a 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. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! Jose Cuervo has been in the tequila game for more than 250 years and was actually the first tequila brand to bottle the spirit individually. 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. Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. Break this one out for the most special of occasions. Our propietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best matches for you. They were. Highlights: Mezcal made with sustainably cultivated agave by a company that is highly socially engaged. View more. The additive-free spirit retails for $125.99 and is currently available for presale on ReserveBar. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. We later learned that additives were indeed being used in blanco tequilas and that a loophole in the NORMA made this possible. Thanks for a complete list and for clarifying about Blancos and the NOM loophole, as well as everything else you do. Tired of Standing? 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. 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. A sneaky trick is to 'flavor' additives, which some brands endeavor to cover up, by simply naming them 'essences'. Tequila Kateri Nom 1439, First step: Getting the product listed in the app. Dont be fooled by the gold label on gold tequila. 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. It has a smooth, even finish. I want the Real Thing. Rodriguezs favorite in the collection is the classic Patrn Silver. Please send us production information and photos of the bottle on a white background. If youre hosting a party or large gathering, youll want to stock up on bottles of Espoln. The . Very smooth, nice taste, and perfect for sipping straight. We dont have much production information on this product either. It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. 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. Consider that mission achieved, plus they've built quite the celeb following! On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. While we may be used to drinking clear tequila, many expensive tequilas are more caramel in color, due to being aged in wooden barrels. I think this is the most important thing with tequilaat least the tequila that I want to drink. It's made with 100 percent Blue Weber agave (i.e. Hard to believe, but I'm told it's very possible. If you want to feel like a celebrity while sipping tequila, then this is definitely the brand for you. I'd rather have the 'natural color' after aging, and blend it that way with the other batches, without ANY colorings. Long Island Lou Tequila's Personal Additive - Free Favorites List. This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. Vivanco (NOM 1414) -7 brands. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. 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.