Produced in the heart of Tequila, Mexico, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila packs a quality punch with notes of citrus, olives, and black pepper. All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). Aroma Thyme Bistro | Hudson Valley Restaurant | Blogs - AROMA THYME I so much appreciate the app and have let it assist in guiding my agave journey! When mixed together, both vodka and tequila can be a good option with coke zero. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. And, it gets smarter the more you use it. Casa Noble, $45+, Theres a reason why this is the best-selling tequila in the world. 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/. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. 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. Don Julio. 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. Do you believe that? How to Avoid Those GMO Booze Blues - FoodPrint The usual list is G4, Terralta, Pasote, Fortaleza, Cascahuin, El Tesoro, Tapatio, Siete Leguas, Olmeca Altos, and a few others. While we may be used to drinking clear tequila, many expensive tequilas are more caramel in color, due to being aged in wooden barrels. 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. You have to train yourself to make an educated decision. Despite the brands hard-partying reputation (blame it on lyrical shout-outs from everyone from Lil Jon to Bruno Mars), the company is actually making some incredibly interesting, flavorful and expensive tequila these days, with bottles of its Patrn En Lalique: Serie 2 going for up to $7,500 online. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. What additives can you taste? 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. Smooth. REGION: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) COOKING: Stone/Brick Ovens. One way is to get familiar with the products that are on the list, and then the additive-filled stuff becomes much easier to detect. Youve also probably seen flavored tequila, which is tequila infused with things like coconut, lime, strawberry or jalapeno. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . This list is awesome! This unique process creates a flavor profile thats both familiar and brand-new: Its light and fresh like great tequila, but also has a hint of the smokiness we look for with mezcal. 2. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. I wish all things ingested would list ingredients. Frankly, there is a certain elitist/snobbish feel to the concept of no additives allowed, we wont mention you or discuss your offerings if you dare. For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. Your email address will not be published. Also, no, you cannot assume that if a distillery is verified it means that all of their products are additive-free. 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. Charring could add smoke, or add some wood quality, but when you can taste a heavy presence of aging, like strong caramel or vanilla, and the color is dark and rich after only a short aging process.. you need to wonder about additives. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. And legend has it, the first margarita ever made featured Jose Cuervo. Aejo tequila can often be recognized by its rich, caramel color, and it must be aged for at least one year (though most are aged three years) to bear the Aejo name. 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! If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. The legal requirement is at least 51% blue agave. I would love to know how to have my husbands tequila reviewed. I am very happy I found this website and this list. Gran Coraminos tequilas are roasted in traditional stone ovens and barrel-aged. How To Make The Perfect Tequila Cocktail - BlackTailNYC.com Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila Brand Is Problematic - InStyle Its called Mezquila, the worlds first and only tequila-mezcal blend. A final proprietary filtration process gives the cristalino the sparkling crystal-clear appearance from which it gets its name. The 6 Best Sustainable Mezcal Brands - LeafScore Hi Keith. This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. 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. In addition to a number of other brands, Don Julio, Tequila . Check Price. Patron shares a list of distilleries, some of which produce multiple brands of tequila according to their NOM, which have been accredited as verified without additives. The reposado, with an ABV of 40%, is aged for four months in ruby port wine casks that give it a signature pink color. 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." Using only the best ingredients and a meticulous process, we are inspired by a vision of what tequila should be: complex, balanced and gastronomic. Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. A sneaky trick is to 'flavor' additives, which some brands endeavor to cover up, by simply naming them 'essences'. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. Avion founder Ken Austin, said that Avion is 100% additive free, and cited the light color in the anejo. The Best Tequila Brands to Drink Now - Esquire Sauza, $20+, Cenote is an ultra-premium tequila inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula. In some parts of the world they are. We can smell what The Rocks drinking, and its good! Others gave similar statements, while others could have.. but would not. Want to know more? Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. The 11 Best Tequilas to Drink in 2023 - The Spruce Eats Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. Coloring and other additives usually go in after aging and before bottling. El Cristiano Tequila, $48+, All of Dulce Vidas tequilas are handcrafted in small batches, made with 100% blue agave and aged in American oak whiskey barrels for a refreshing flavor and smooth finish. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. Herradura got back to me saying that they're 100% additive free including their El Jimador line of products. Ritual Beverage Company is entering the tequila market. Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? STILL: Copper Pot. 27 Best Tequila Brands for Shots, Margaritas, Sipping - Parade The reason caramel coloring is used, is to add a rich and darker color to make it appear that the aging was longer than it actually was. Love my Cimarron. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. Our organic processes does not include any additives, which some tequila brands use to manipulate color, flavor, aroma, etc. Though it may be controversial, 818 Tequila is undoubtedly one of the most popular agave spirits on the market right now. I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. 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. If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, tequila may be the better choice. This 'adulteration' let's the tequila taste like something it's not, and adding sweeteners for example, will 'mask' the use of young agave plants that would have low brix (sugar) levels. Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. 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. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. Olmeca Altos has won quite a few awards over the years and are worthy of a place on your bar cart. Below, we're sharing everything you need to know to find your perfect tequila, plus our picks for the best tequila brands, chosen by master distillers, bartenders and industry experts. The top five best-selling tequila brands run the gamut from budget picks to higher-end options. You can use the form (below) to subscribe to email alerts any time this list changes. 2) We will eventually create this list within the app itself. Making tequila requires thoughtful consideration of both legal and technical factors defining the spiritand many choices in the production process can have a tremendous impact on the final distillate. When it comes to flavor, Rodriguez says tequila can range from smooth and mellow, to a warmer and bolder profile. I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. " 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%. Sure, tequila shots are fun at parties (and maybe gives you some liquid courage before stepping onto that karaoke stage), but artists rapping about shots of Patrn have really given tequila an undeservedly bad (and, ahem, cheap) rep. According to The Spirits Business, the top-selling tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. Grover and Scarlet, 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . Lightweight and well balanced, it's a great option for both new and experienced tequila drinkers alike. Roy adds that shes a fan of Patrns Roca collection because the brand uses juice from the tahona rolling process, which pulls only the most flavorful liquid from the pias they roast for almost three days. View more. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. I love your reviews? With 11 generations of tequila-makers to their name, Maestro Dobel is no stranger to the spirits market, with an entire portfolio of smooth, easy-drinking tequilas available everywhere from country clubs to the finest restaurants in the world. Good, clean fun: Organic tequila is the Best Tequila. 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. You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. 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. Keep up the great work, I know I greatly enjoy the content. Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more. 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). I am totally independent & honest. All of Casa Dragones tequilas are made in small batches using a sustainable production method. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. Just mix 1.5 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec, and a squeeze of fresh lime. The Lowdown on Tequila Additives | TasteTequila Jose Cuervo, $26+, Related:35+ Best Canned Cocktails and Drinks, Looking for the best sipping tequila? The tequila finishes with a little heat before going down smooth. HONORING CRAFT AND TRADITION MIJENTA IS AN AWARD-WINNING, ADDITIVE-FREE, SUSTAINABLE TEQUILA FROM THE HIGHLANDS OF JALISCO THAT CELEBRATES THE TRADITIONS OF MEXICAN CULTURE AND EMBODIES THE BEST OF THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE. Please check on CABAL tequila- spoke with them personally at an event and they claimed to be additive free! It's almost too easy to not do it, being legal to a certain extent, and too hard to ever get caught. What are the additive-free tequila brands - American Post I have been told that unless you get to see the CRT production logs, you'll never know if they have additives, and brands don't even have access to that information, it's something that only the distillery has. Tequila Matchmaker on the App Store I have tried without success to find out a little more about this particular offering which a number of my friends and myself are now drinking . It would be a handy reference when shopping. Fortaleza Blanco. Blancos are also usually cheaper. Excited to be launching the World's Most Awarded Tequila - Cierto! Still, its $500+ price-point doesnt exactly make it an accessible bottle to buy. Danos also won the Gold Medal in the 2019 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Tasting Competition, and the Double Gold and Gold in the 2018 SIP Awards. Siempre. Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. Martinez adds that a reposado tequila can also work well in a margarita. It's perfect as a mixer to liven any cocktail with its versatility and light body. When I drink tequila, I want to be drinking tequila and nothing else. Thanks for a complete list and for clarifying about Blancos and the NOM loophole, as well as everything else you do. Whether you want to sip on something smooth or just want to upgrade your Cinco de Mayo margarita, here are 15 tequilas you can buy online and get delivered to your door in time for your next happy hour, dinner or party. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. This list is small now, but I hope to add more brands if it is warranted. 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. As far as alcohol goes, it's not a bad option. Although I want to trust all the brands, keep in mind that it's always possible that a distillery may do whatever it takes, so there can be no guarantee. This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. 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! Usually in this purest form of tequila, you can taste the care given to the elaboration process of any brand. This is the standard tequila youll see in cocktails due to its versatility, he adds. This crystal-clear . These days, some of the best tequilas in the world are actually more comparable to a fine bourbon or robust glass of wine than jello shots and beer pong. https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. ** There are some confusing rules in the NORMA that appear to allow the use of additives in a blanco. 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. EXTRACTION: Tahona. Youll also want to consider what the tequila is being used for. It's also free of common allergens. I find that the extended barrel aging pulls out any astringent qualities that may have been in the originally distilled juice, making this the easiest to sip on its own., The best type of tequila for sipping is the one in which you can taste the complexity given by the best agave source, along with a good elaboration process, providing the smoothness and sweetness you can obtain from the agave, says Martinez. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. All Rights reserved. 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. Theyre made from 100% blue agave and are meant for sipping. Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. 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. DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! I would say so, and it's up to your eyes and your pallet to decide. 5 Types of Tequila. .because as much as there are definitely trustworthy and talented owners like German Gonzalez and Adolfo Murillo, and I trust them just as much, the average brand that 'contracts', (meaning renting space at someones else's distillery), often have to go by practices at that distillery, and they can't be at the distillery 24/7. I only start drinking Patron because of they were additive free. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. I mean its a decent app, I would just rather keep it all in TM. Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. 4. It's funny because if you were, or still are a whiskey/scotch, bourbon, cognac, or brandy drinker, I feel you are more likely to 'accept' overly oaky aromas and flavors as normal, as you enjoy this profile. Maybe Distiller could help for you? 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. It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Are tequilas marked organic additive free? 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. 15 Best Tequila Brands Of 2021: Expert Sipping Guide - Luxe Digital This was our first super premium 100% Weber blue agave tequila, and it changed America's perceptions about tequila, he says. A nice, simple tequila is useful to pour liberally than a more expensive Blanco tequila with a similar clean agave taste. Total Wine. The brand offers blanco, reposado and aejo varieties as well as pre-made margaritas, mixes and canned cocktails. 18 Best Sipping Tequilas You Can Buy Right Now - Delish 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 . An award-winning tequila, its aged for a minimum of two and a half years and produced in small batches. So what do you think? So when a brand says "we are 100% additive free" there is no way you can prove it. Cincoro Tequila produces five tequilas: blanco, reposado, aejo, extra aejo and the newest addition to their collectionCincoro Goldwhich blends the best of all four of their other varieties into one ultra-premium tequila. Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. A nice touch: the hand-blown glass bottle, which is topped with a hand-painted agave pia and vintage-inspired label. With a clean and complex mouthfeel, its ideal for sipping neat. Are we assuming that tequilas on the additive free list are automatically not diffuser made as well? The List: Best Tequila, According To Experts. 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. Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. On the nose, the Maestro Dobel 50 releases notes of fig and dried fruit, with hints of cinnamon and honey. Thanks. LALO Tequila, $50, Speaking of Don Julio, no list of the best tequila brands would be complete without this iconic option! If youre hosting a party or large gathering, youll want to stock up on bottles of Espoln. There are . The problem with additives as I see it, is even though it may be legal at 1%, it's also 'cheating' and unnecessary, and seems many brands don't act like they're using additives, as long as it's only the legal 1%. Tequila: Everything You Should Know, and the 13 Best Brands 3. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. Photo credit: Courtesy. 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. This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. 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. 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. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! 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. What do you think about that do you agree? Both tequilas are smooth, complex and crafted from hand-selected pias that are harvested at peak maturity. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? 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. 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". This amazing additive-free liquid is produced using only the We deserve to know, don't you think? Another thing to look for aside: a four-digit number that represents each distillerys unique code. Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. 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. Checking production records at NOM 1123 (Cascahun), Checking production records at NOM 1492 (Tequila Patrn). Additives in Your Tequila? Here's How to Test It Yourself SB meets Tasha Iny, Mijenta Tequila - The Spirits Business A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. 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. I do enjoy Clasa Azul which is made by Productos Finos de Agave, I believe. 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? Nobu AND QUI Tequila Launch Nobu Rare 2008 Reserve 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. The 30 Best Tequilas for 2022 | VinePair 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. Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. You can read more about our methods and program goals, here. 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. Had to give it away. 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.
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