Using a few drops of caramel coloring is one thing, but this additive problem seems to go much further, using these additives to cover up mistakes, a low quality product, or mask deficiencies in the final product. Updates include when brands are added, removed, expired or renewed. These distilleries are: Patron Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) -2 brands. This may be one of the priciest options on our list, but this top-shelf tequila is worth the premium price. 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. So when a brand says "we are 100% additive free" there is no way you can prove it. Best Tequila Brands 2022: Casamigos, Patron, Teremana Blanco and Anejo You rock, Grover and Scarlet! These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. 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. 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. We are legit worried that the sweeter, more vanilla, candy-like additive products will change the publics idea of what a natural tequila is. I love that some of my favorites are already here and some that I need try. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few . There are three main types of tequila to choose from. The popularity of tequila has exploded in recent years, and as the spirit has evolved, so, too, has the number of brands on the market. Thank you! This ensures the freshest agave flavorand you can tell. Comparing production samples at La Altea (NOM 1139). Top 10 Blanco Tequilas - Food & Wine The secret to Cenotes smoothness? Give it a try! Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. The exceptionally smooth Blanco has a robust roasted agave taste and perfectly balanced finish that creates maximum sippability. LALO Tequila, $50, Speaking of Don Julio, no list of the best tequila brands would be complete without this iconic option! These days, some of the best tequilas in the world are more comparable to a fine bourbon or robust glass of wine than jello shots and beer pong, RS Recommends: The 19 Tequila Brands Were Drinking Right Now, Looking to Start Boxing After Watching 'Creed III'? What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? I think this is the most important thing with tequilaat least the tequila that I want to drink. The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. 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"). EXTRACTION: Tahona. It will typically taste sweeter and more refreshing, with a smooth, silky finish. Why? Smooth. Are tequilas marked organic additive free? The 25 Best Tequila Brands for Sipping, Shots and Margaritas in 2022 - MSN I so much appreciate the app and have let it assist in guiding my agave journey! Dont be fooled by the gold label on gold tequila. Don't believe us? Thanks, Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. Cenote Tequila, $41+, Olmeca Altos tequilas are made from 100% blue agave grown in Los Altos, the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. When you taste too much vanilla, and we call that a 'vanilla bomb', that often means extra vanilla extract powder was added. I didnt realize that the use of additives was such a thing in the tequila industry. This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. Keep in mind I only mention brands that make rested and aged expressions that I have personally tasted. Fortaleza Blanco. A final proprietary filtration process gives the cristalino the sparkling crystal-clear appearance from which it gets its name. This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. 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. What additives can you taste? 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. Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. What do you think about that do you agree? For a similar experience at a more casual price point, we like the Roca Patrn Reposado, which is a lighter, more buttery take on the bold and robust Burdeos. Nathan. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco (They even make their own compost!) Thanks. The best tequilas in 2023. As a matter of fact, he doesn't care if his aged tequilas look light or don't match each other in batches, and I love that. The popular Reposado goes from $150-$170 a bottle, and the Anejo is . Aged from one to three years, this tequila pulls notes from whatever barrels it sits in, says Roy. I want to stay away from additives. Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. Now thats a game changer APP that would get you many more subscribers. And just like wine, tequila can be aged in a number of different containers, from oak barrels to steel drums. They offer three classic options: blanco, reposado and aejo. These additives aren't illegal, per se. Its aged in oak barrels for three weeks, and delicate notes of bright citrus, greens and pepper lead to a crisp and smooth finish. 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. Plus, Revel offers a Reposado and an Aejo expression of the Avila, as well as the Blanco (linked below). All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. 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. I hope more distilleries become a part of this project! 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. 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. 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. So in the end I would say, do one of two things. When mixed together, both vodka and tequila can be a good option with coke zero. and is there an app you prefer for Mezcal? An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. This is just artificial flavor, and another trick being presented to the tequila drinking community. 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. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. Thank you for your time and commitment. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. Maybe Distiller could help for you? 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". I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. 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. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time 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. 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." 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. . I'm told that some distilleries will use additives because it's cheaper and faster to get things done, and who's to say if this is with or without the owners knowledge? That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. 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. Hey, we're all about being social! We need to let each other know, of the 'obvious offenders', even though it's legal up to this 1% limit. Gran Coramino, $60+, Clase Azul wins for the packaging alone. 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. 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. JAJA is proudly additive free. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. Jessica Alba, Tinx, Jojo Fletcher and Kristin Cavallari are just a few famous faces that are mega fans of theiraward-winning varietiesCucumber Jalapeo, Valencia Orange and Grapefruit Hibiscusbut we have a feeling this isjust the seed of something bigger, flavor-wise. Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? 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. 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. 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. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. I understand that this is an opt-in program, so may other brands may be additive free, but they have opted not to be added (IDK what they would not. Your email address will not be published. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. G4 Premium Blanco Tequila 108 Proof | Marketplace Required fields are marked *. So what do you think? These are some images taken during our additive free visits. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. 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. 15 Best Tequila Brands Of 2021: Expert Sipping Guide - Luxe Digital Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails. The Best Tequila Brands to Drink Now - Esquire 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. But if you want a drink that is a little smoother, vodka may be the way to go. 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 will need to check to see if our database needs to be updated to reflect that. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First who cares? I have a couple questions: This is a terribly misleading and sneaky trick, but sadlya legal practice. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. Thank you so much for putting this together and committing to keeping it updated! 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): . Our proprietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best . Region of Origin: All tequila comes from the Tequila region of Mexico, and in order for a spirit to call itself tequila, it must be distilled from agave plants grown in that region. Trying to get my wife to become a tequila drinker but she leans towards sweeter spirits. We dont have much production information on this product either. Buy Casa Noble Marqus de Casa Noble $175.99. To compensate for a light hue, it seems a large number of suppliers are placing caramel color into their aged reposado tequila or anejo tequila, although I know a good amount of quality brands, that although impossible to prove, appear not to use any additives, including colorings. This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. 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. https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. ABV: 46.3%. The tequila finishes with a little heat before going down smooth. 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 . Do you believe that? And, it gets smarter the more you use it. According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. Whether youre at an A-list after party or just chilling at home, nothing beats a Casamigos and soda for a refreshing, celeb-approved drink. LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. Patrn Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) [2 brands] El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) This crystal-clear . Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. Several factors come into play at each stage of this process, but at the very least, for a tequila to be great, it must be all agave, with no additives. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? The legal requirement is at least 51% blue agave. Now the additive list is also fantastic tool to recognize the brands that have a commitment to offering a true quality product. The majority of tequila does have additives. Very smooth, nice taste, and perfect for sipping straight. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. 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. Thank you for the list, what kind of additives are you talking about? I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. Youve also probably seen flavored tequila, which is tequila infused with things like coconut, lime, strawberry or jalapeno. Espoln Tequila, $32+, Funnyman Kevin Hart teamed up with Juan Domingo Beckmann, an 11th-generation tequila maker, to create Gran Coramino. This makes the Avila a great choice for solo sipping or mixing in cocktails. Best value tequila: Corralejo Reposado. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. Youll also want to consider what the tequila is being used for. Cierto Tequila Begins Its U.S. Rollout - BevNET.com 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. Adam Levines Calirosa mashes up classic tequila-making techniques and California wine know-how for a bottle of tequila that tastes as unique as it looks. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. 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%. Hi Luis. The List: Additive-Free Tequila Brands | TasteTequila Good for them.and Good for us. $159.99. Its one of only a handful of 100% de Agave Gold tequilas. Founder Don Francisco changed the tequila process forever as he was the first person to cook agave in little ovens. It's up to you all to decide what to believe, and although brands can tell me things, it doesn't mean I believe them or that it makes my personal list of additive free brands. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? Brand founder Cirilo Oropeza named the brand Espoln, which means spur in Spanish, to honor his commitment to the tequila craft. 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. Is Your Tequila Confirmed Additive-Free? - El Bandido Yankee The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . .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. There are four total categories of additives according to the Consejo Regulador . I wish all things ingested would list ingredients. Drink experts agree tequila is best had in cocktails or by slowly sipping so you can enjoy the complexity of the spirit. Thats why I stick to and fully endorse the products from NOM1146 . 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. 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. 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. This tequila is produced in the lowlands of the Jalisco region . Don Julio. Realize that caramel coloring is not used for adding sweet flavor, but more so, for a darker color to make the aged spirit 'look' more aged, or to change the color of batches to balance them out (consistency), in the stage called 'rectification'. Cons. Cincoro Tequila, $90+, Lavenue says Espoln Blanco is one of the best-value tequilas on the market.