best no additive tequila brands

REGION: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) COOKING: Stone/Brick Ovens. According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. Give it a try! Of course they know they are using them though, as they actually have to put them in, but most will deny to me or anyone who asks them point blank, if they use additives. https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. 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. Keep in mind I only mention brands that make rested and aged expressions that I have personally tasted. It quickly became a staple then and is a mainstay still today. We feel its a better service to the community that we highlight the non-additive products so that people can familiarize themselves with those products. Youll also want to consider what the tequila is being used for. We love the Grand Patrn Burdeos (find it here), which is twice-distilled and aged in used American and new French Oak barrels, before being finished in vintage Bordeaux barrels (Burdeos means Bordeaux in Spanish). Additives - especially caramel coloring or oak extracts - are most commonly found in aged tequilas to boost a tequila's appearance. When mixed together, both vodka and tequila can be a good option with coke zero. :-). Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. This tequila gets its name from the year of its creation, so yeah, you've got a spirit with a more than 200-year history. and whole industries have grown from this use of additives. 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". The reposado, with an ABV of 40%, is aged for four months in ruby port wine casks that give it a signature pink color. Thank you! DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! So keep in mind the above mentioned brands that 'claim' to be 100% additive free may be just that, and most are high quality and fine tasting brands that I enjoy myself. 5. Casa Del Sol. Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! 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. Want to know more? 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 micro-distillery produces premium tequila, inspired by the legend of a medicine man known as Don Cazcabel. BONUS: Use code RS20 to get $20 off your order at Drizly.com. 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. 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. Essences or flavorings are still additives, and these can include vanilla or herbs used to alter or create a flavor. This list is small now, but I hope to add more brands if it is warranted. Thanks for leading the charge and creating transparency in the industry. But that said, despite what . You can enjoy them neat, over ice or mixed into a cocktail. 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. 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. Dano's Dangerous Tequila Pineapple & Jalapeo Fresh Fruit Infusion. Thank you for the clarification. LALO Tequila, $50, Speaking of Don Julio, no list of the best tequila brands would be complete without this iconic option! Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time 1) Yes, there are many tequilas that are additive free, but have not gone through our process. 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.). I so much appreciate the app and have let it assist in guiding my agave journey! For everyone else, the regular (but still beautifully bottled) Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Anejo is available online starting from $159. Your email address will not be published. Thank you so much for this list! Pick Up Some of These Gloves First The Mezquila is more flavorful than your typical tequila, but not in-your-face smokey like most mezcals. 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. The result is a clean, smooth tequila. I didnt realize that the use of additives was such a thing in the tequila industry. Please send us production information and photos of the bottle on a white background. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. Can anyone recommend some of the sweeter non additive, non Blanco tequilas? 13. Our top pick is the Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022, a single-estate tequila that's perfect for sipping. 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. Mijenta Tequila, $43+, Eterno Verano, which means "endless summer" in Spanish, was inspired by the 1966 movie The Endless Summer. The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. 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): Their agave is slow-cooked in brick ovens and then distilled in copper. If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, tequila may be the better choice. Others gave similar statements, while others could have.. but would not. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. 1. 15 Interesting Things to Mix With Tequila, Miguel Escobar Martinez, master distiller for, Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzlez, co-founder and master distiller of, Justin Lavenue, owner/operator and co-founder of. 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. The tequila finishes with a little heat before going down smooth. Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! 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. It will typically taste sweeter and more refreshing, with a smooth, silky finish. Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . Choose from blanco, aejo, reposado and more. And while there are a number of tequila brands that have launched in recent months, this list runs the gamut from tried-and-true brands, to limited-edition releases that youll be smart to pick up if you see them available online. 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 you believe that? who cares? Our proprietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best . It's made with 100 percent Blue Weber agave (i.e. and is there an app you prefer for Mezcal? These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet, Another (Celine) Portrait: See Bob Dylan in Fashion Brand's Latest 'Performer' Series, The Best Wireless Range Extenders to Use (and How They Work), Outdoor Buds: These Fully Waterproof Workout Earbuds Are Just $30, NBA 'Investigating,' Team Suspends Ja Morant After Allegedly Flashing Gun on Social Media, See the Beths Deliver Refreshing 'Expert in a Dying Field' Mini-Set on 'CBS Mornings', Netflixs Sex/Life Is Back to Satisfy Your Softcore Desires, Alex Murdaugh Juror Says Cellphone Video, 'Big Liar' Testimony Led to Guilty Verdict. 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. Hi Keith. Thanks to investment and refinement from some pioneering brands, long gone are the days when Tequila was known only for its harsh palate. The List: Best Tequila, According To Experts. In fact, many brands add artificial sugars or sweeteners to their tequila, which may taste good at first, but will leave you with a nasty hangover the next day. When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. Checking production records at NOM 1123 (Cascahun), Checking production records at NOM 1492 (Tequila Patrn). Its affordable, accessible and goes down easy. This crystal-clear . 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". As you can't always believe Company Reps or Ambassadors who may not know for sure, I have personally contacted many Brand Owners, Executives or Master Distillers. Before being triple distilled, this silver tequila had the tropical fruit cooked in traditional stone . 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. However, it smells smoky like mezcal or charred wood, and there's a hint of that tequila agave scent. Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. 9 Things You Should Know About 818 Tequila. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Pure agave tequila is low in sugar, has no carbohydrates, and (minus sugary juice mixers) is fairly low-calorie, too. The secret to Cenotes smoothness? In the spirit world, pure vodka is earthy and mildly sweet, whereas vodka containing rye is bland and sweet. Again it's YOU that decides this. 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. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. Read Full Article. What do you think about that do you agree? I am totally independent & honest. " 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%. The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. When will the list be available on the app? 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. This is a 'Hot Topic' and people will hold these brands accountable. It also tells you which tequila producer it comes from. Although not technically tequila, Revels Avila should be on every tequila and mezcal fans radar. Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. 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. 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. El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. 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. Some brands have obviously taken advantage of these powerful concentrated additives, colorings and flavorings to make their brands 'profile' which they have become known for, and don't appear to be stopping. High-quality tequila producers will use 100%, but others may use things like sugar or molasses to make their product cheaper, adds Roy. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? Sauza, $20+, Cenote is an ultra-premium tequila inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula. Although this is perfectly legal, it is WRONG, and hopefully this will get cleared up soon on a future CRT ruling. Thanks. 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. A nice touch: the hand-blown glass bottle, which is topped with a hand-painted agave pia and vintage-inspired label. Don Julio. Oct 28, 2022. 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. All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. 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. It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Patrn Tequila, $56+, Casamigos has an A-list history: The brand was launched by friends George Clooney and Rande Garber (husband to Cindy Crawford), who worked with a master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico over the course of many years to get the taste just right. Our propietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best matches for you. none of the artificial additives that make you pucker); try it over ice for a refreshing summer tequila tasting too. (NOM 1579) -6 marks. Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, Agave, Mint. There are three main types of tequila to choose from. My adviceif it doesn't taste natural or has an abnormal aroma or taste, has overly strong and unbalanced flavors, or is too sweet or has a sweet aftertaste, or is too dark in color for short aging, try one of the more trusted brands below, to see the difference. I will need to check to see if our database needs to be updated to reflect that. I'd rather have the 'natural color' after aging, and blend it that way with the other batches, without ANY colorings. Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. Heres a rundown of each one: This is tequila in its purest form without aging and is clear in color, says Miguel Escobar Martinez, master distiller for Tequila Cazadores. View On Drizly View On Caskers. Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. You just need to know what to look for. This tequila is complex and full-bodied, and is recommended for sipping, though it works great for tequila-oriented takes on classic drinks like a Moscow Mule or Negroni as well. Meanwhile, if the liquid begins to stick to your hands . 1. ok, but your 2018 post titled The Lowdown on Tequila Additives stated that was banned by the norma . 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." This tequila is produced in the lowlands of the Jalisco region . Coloring and other additives usually go in after aging and before bottling. This list will be updated each time a brand is added (or removed) from the program. Great to see many of my favorites have made the list! 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. Now available! A sneaky trick is to 'flavor' additives, which some brands endeavor to cover up, by simply naming them 'essences'. Thank you for the list, what kind of additives are you talking about? Thanks so much for this list and all your efforts to be able to share your research with us all. Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? It's simply sneaky in many ways, to alter or attempt to make 'better' an 'unbalanced' or 'rough' sub par spirit, or to make it look or taste more aged than it is. The big problem is that additives aren't required to be disclosed, although I believe they should be, even if it's 1%. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. We later learned that additives were indeed being used in blanco tequilas and that a loophole in the NORMA made this possible. Cincoro Tequila, $90+, Lavenue says Espoln Blanco is one of the best-value tequilas on the market. Vandoliers Play Tennessee Concert in Dresses to Protest State's New Drag Bill Hi Josh. Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. Cenote Tequila, $41+, Olmeca Altos tequilas are made from 100% blue agave grown in Los Altos, the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. We have to stop thinking a dark and rich color is always the real thing, and start thinking about realistic, clean, additive free tequila, regardless of the color or lack of color. In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. Zarpado Tequila Blanco. 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. 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 . 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. Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. All of Cenotes tequilas (the line includes blanco, reposado, aejo and cristalino) are diligently crafted by the brands master distiller and master blender. Also, no, you cannot assume that if a distillery is verified it means that all of their products are additive-free. Arandas, in the Jalisco mountains of Mexico, is home to Cazcabel. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! Drink experts agree tequila is best had in cocktails or by slowly sipping so you can enjoy the complexity of the spirit. 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. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. 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. This incredible distillate features notes of olives, herbs, earth and grass. We want to hear it. 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." 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. Produced in the heart of Tequila, Mexico, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila packs a quality punch with notes of citrus, olives, and black pepper. 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? This INCLUDES the legal 1% allowance, and I made that an important point to each brand. At over $100, this is a true premium spirit, with a bottle and flavor profile worthy of its price. EXTRACTION: Tahona. . In the 2012 NORMA, section 4.36.1 says that blanco tequilas should be sin abocante (without additives). This was our first super premium 100% Weber blue agave tequila, and it changed America's perceptions about tequila, he says. Unless the distillery owns the brand, the brand may have no definite idea what's in their bottle, and they have no choice but to trust the distillery. Check Price. 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. Is there something that taste like theirs which is better for you? 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. So what do you think? 1- either stick with a producer who makes aged tequilas to YOUR liking, regardless if it's heavy caramel, vanilla, overly smooth and overly sweet, very dark and rich, oily and very oaky without caring if they are obviously manipulated or not. ArteNOM 1579 - NOM's 1079, 1580, 1549, 1146, 1414, 1579, 1123. Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. Espoln Tequila, $32+, Funnyman Kevin Hart teamed up with Juan Domingo Beckmann, an 11th-generation tequila maker, to create Gran Coramino. 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. Bell Flavors & Fragrances (above) and Symrise Flavorings are just two companies supplying these additives. Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. What Features Should You Look for in Tequila? You can use the form (below) to subscribe to email alerts any time this list changes. Hey, we're all about being social! Now confused. At the time, that was enough for us. 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. Cazcabel. This type of tequila has been aged a minimum of two months to one year in oak barrels, which gives the liquid a light golden color, says Martinez. Very smooth, nice taste, and perfect for sipping straight. 27 February 2023 By Alice Brooker. Thank you for your rapid response, I love it. 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. 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. The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. The tech side is easy, the admin side is not! Try it again and think diet Pepsi and tell me you cant taste the artificial sweeteners. Maybe Distiller could help for you? Reposado tequila is also aged but the aging process can be anywhere from two months to 11 months. We live in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. Cierto Tequila, a luxury portfolio of award-winning, 100% additive-free authentic tequilas, begins its U.S. rollout this month. When you taste too much vanilla, and we call that a 'vanilla bomb', that often means extra vanilla extract powder was added. 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. Espolon Blanco Tequila. One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. 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 labelling states it was produced and bottled by : Destileria Santa Lucia , Hiatus has three award-winning expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo. An incredible effort here! Patron has stepped up with this seriously smooth, barrel-aged anejo. While some tequilas make us pucker, or burn the inside of our mouths and throats, Cenotes Blanco Tequila is light, mellow and refreshing. Tequila producers also use some additives, like glycerin or sugar-based syrup, to change the mouthfeel or intensify the brand's sweetness. Roca Patrn Silver ($69) Emphatically agave-scented, this is made with the traditional tahona method, using a two-ton volcanic rock to crush the roasted pias. The oak extract can add oak aromas and flavors found in oak barrels, helping to confuse you even further in thinking it was aged much longer than it was. Thank you for your time and commitment. So what do people think about all these claims? Avoid these tequila brands: . no headache-inducing fillers). There wont be any need to link to this version of the list. It has a smooth, even finish. 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. This amazing additive-free liquid is produced using only the Let's discuss it. Its aged in oak barrels for three weeks, and delicate notes of bright citrus, greens and pepper lead to a crisp and smooth finish. After all, taste is a personal and a subjective thing, but I wonder as so many 'crossover' drinkers are coming to aged tequilas, if many of these consumers fail to recognize their preference is for the familiar and pleasant flavors associated with oak, and have no problem accepting this, even if it's artificially colored and flavored. $46 at Reserve Bar. The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. Do you have plans or know of any plans to do something similar with Agave Spirits? 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"). The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. The female-owned and led brand was co-founded by CEO Bertha Gonzlez Nieves, the first female maestra tequilera certified by the Mexican Academy of Tequila Tasters. And if its a Tommys-style margarita, even better, says Justin Lavenue, owner/operator and co-founder of The Roosevelt Room in Austin, Texas. Tequila Gran Diamante is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila that's stirring up excitement on the spirits scene. 74.95.

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