Those too are permitted by Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council . With notes of fresh-cut grass and tropical fruit, you can always have it in a cocktail, but this is a fantastic tequila to pair with dinner, or a good cheese plate. Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. Will you add a quick link to this list on your app so it is readily viewed there? If your bottle doesnt have a NOM, that means its not certified by the TRC (Tequila Regulatory Council), and not an authentic Tequila producer. There are . This is a terribly misleading and sneaky trick, but sadlya legal practice. It makes sensewith its sweet, smooth taste, tequila is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in margaritas and other yummy cocktails as well as sipped straight or over ice. One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. Patrn Aejo Patrn Aejo is a carefully . 3. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco 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. When 1% of total additives are used there is no requirement to tell the consumer, so I suppose for this reason, brands that put additives into their product will often make claims that they are not using any at all. 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. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. . Now available! In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. 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. . Are we assuming that tequilas on the additive free list are automatically not diffuser made as well? This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. Don Julio. 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. Cenote says the water goes through a reverse osmosis process and carbon filters with silver ions help to eliminate any chance of impurities affecting the taste. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. 74.95. Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. 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. Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. 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 . Extra aejo, meanwhile, is aged in American oak barrels for at least three years. Its best sipped slow for a warm, inviting mouthfeel. It's almost too easy to not do it, being legal to a certain extent, and too hard to ever get caught. This is most pronounced with the Rosa, which spends a month in un-charred Napa Valley Cabernet French white oak barrels, giving it a beautiful pink hue and notes of ripe fruit and cherry on the . "Among agave experts, Fortaleza is one of the most revered brands in tequila. Grover and Scarlet, 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. Whether you prefer blanco, reposado or aejo tequila, Hornitos has something for you in their robust lineup. Cazcabel. Buy Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Anejo $159.99. Vandoliers Play Tennessee Concert in Dresses to Protest State's New Drag Bill A typical tequila is composed of 60% Agave oil, with no flavor. But they were removed when they were not able to complete the annual re-confirmation process. 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. Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. Average Price: $115. It has a smooth, even finish. Interestingly, another brand that is 100% additive-free told me "rarely will a distiller commit to never using color, because sometime in the future, there could be a day that some tequila comes off the barrels lighter, and distillers would rather add a couple drops of organic caramel coloring instead of jeopardizing a stock of tequila that has inconsistent color on the shelf." Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. 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. Tequila Kateri Nom 1439, First step: Getting the product listed in the app. From now on, I may honestly just shop for tequilas that are on your list. Required fields are marked *. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. Siempre's blanco (plata) tequila was launched in 2015, and the reposado and aejo expressions arrived last year. 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. 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. Now, fans of Dwayne Johnson and tequila alike can purchase Teremana online and get it delivered to their door. When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. Thanks. 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 best tequilas in 2023. However, we need someone willing to be the curator of each spirit. Do you have any plans to verify if Don Julio is additive-free? Sauza, $20+, Cenote is an ultra-premium tequila inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula. The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. Also, no, you cannot assume that if a distillery is verified it means that all of their products are additive-free. 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. 5. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, Agave, Mint. Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. Tired of Standing? The tequila finishes with a little heat before going down smooth. 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! 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. The tech side is easy, the admin side is not! "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. Consider that mission achieved, plus they've built quite the celeb following! Best tequila overall: Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022. Our organic processes does not include any additives, which some tequila brands use to manipulate color, flavor, aroma, etc. 13. 6. I contacted Jose Cuervo, Cazadores and Sauza to ask about any additives in their 100% agave tequilas to see what they'd say. We can smell what The Rocks drinking, and its good! El Jimador, $21+, This award-winning, additive-free, sustainable tequila brand is the only one to earn B Corp certification. 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. (NOM 1579) -6 marks. The brand offers two options: reposado cristalino and aejo. 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. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time There wont be any need to link to this version of the list. Answers: 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. Good for them.and Good for us. 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. Buy El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila $39.99. DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. 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? 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. Have you heard anything from their distillery? These additives aren't illegal, per se. 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. Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. When will the list be available on the app? 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. Each aging process will bring out different flavors in your tequila, and result in unique flavor profiles that often call to mind whiskey or scotch. A nice touch: the hand-blown glass bottle, which is topped with a hand-painted agave pia and vintage-inspired label. So very helpful! Hey, we're all about being social! Before being triple distilled, this silver tequila had the tropical fruit cooked in traditional stone . (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) Produced in the heart of Tequila, Mexico, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila packs a quality punch with notes of citrus, olives, and black pepper. Check Price. Clasa Azul is an additive-loaded tequila of low quality and is extraordinarily overpriced. So excited to confidently try some expressions that are verified free of additives. 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. First sip I was like wow this stuff is sweet. 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. Now that you know the basics, here are nine more things you should know about the supermodel-approved premium tequila brand. 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. Others who are more true to agave spirits, may not like that profile and would prefer a more agave forward presence. 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 . "We think it's 70% by sales volume last year, so there will always be fewer additive free-tequilas," Scarlet tells me. 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. 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. 1. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. This crystal-clear . So when a brand says "we are 100% additive free" there is no way you can prove it. I do enjoy Clasa Azul which is made by Productos Finos de Agave, I believe. 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. Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila.
