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. 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. Thank you so much for putting this together and committing to keeping it updated! So who knows what a distillery may do to 'enhance' a contract brands juice, for their own convenience. These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. Zarpado Tequila Blanco. The . I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: Now confused. Each tequila decanter is handcrafted by indigenous artisans in a small village in Mexico who create beautiful patterns on the ceramic surface of each bottle. (Rule number one: Never buy tequila that . 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. This micro-distillery produces premium tequila, inspired by the legend of a medicine man known as Don Cazcabel. Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. 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. 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". 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. 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. REGION: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) COOKING: Stone/Brick Ovens. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. Sugar-based Syrup. 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 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. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. With most quality brands, especially ones in which the distillery owns, you may not have to worry as much about this next practice. Nathan. This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. Just wondering how I can tell is a brand that is not on your list is or is not additive free. Jose Cuervo . All of Cenotes tequilas (the line includes blanco, reposado, aejo and cristalino) are diligently crafted by the brands master distiller and master blender. Our proprietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best . There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. It would be a handy reference when shopping. You can taste the additives in Kirkland tequilaThe best option is to not buy what doesnt disclose. This may be one of the priciest options on our list, but this top-shelf tequila is worth the premium price. Bribon Reposado Tequila. One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. In the 2012 NORMA, section 4.36.1 says that blanco tequilas should be sin abocante (without additives). Others who are more true to agave spirits, may not like that profile and would prefer a more agave forward presence. and whole industries have grown from this use of additives. Thank you for all the info. LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. With a clean and complex mouthfeel, its ideal for sipping neat. 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. To be honest, I'm actually more than fine with all this myself, and I see this as a sign of integrity, and makes me appreciate these brands and respect them even more. At over $100, this is a true premium spirit, with a bottle and flavor profile worthy of its price. Love my Cimarron. 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. This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. I wish something as concise was available for other agave spirits. He is correct, anyone can say anything, but I will say, that after tasting all of Felipe's products and talking with him for years, he is one producer I trust solely on his word. The Best New-School Tequila Brands. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. At the time, that was enough for us. 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. Hey, we're all about being social! significant growth in bars and restaurants. 1. All of Casa Dragones tequilas are made in small batches using a sustainable production method. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? Adolfo Murillo of 'Alquimia' said "I have always worked hard to stay true to the tradition of tequila and the way it was meant to be made, so if my bottles say 100% agave, it does not mean "99%, because the CRT says it's ok". This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. 100% Agave: Tequila comes from the agave plant, but not all tequilas are made with 100% agave sugar. It's perfect as a mixer to liven any cocktail with its versatility and light body. Popular Brands. Required fields are marked *. Also, no, you cannot assume that if a distillery is verified it means that all of their products are additive-free. 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. Do you believe that? Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. "And nobody is hitting the . 6. Adding additives and or color usually occurs towards the end of production before bottling, in the 'rectification'. Your email address will not be published. If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, tequila may be the better choice. 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. 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. 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. There are some outstanding tequilas that have flavor added, and I would like to see reviews, ratings and discussion on them as well. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. (They even make their own compost!) The legal requirement is at least 51% blue agave. This means youll pick up some herbs and light smokiness with a mellow bite, making the Santo Mezquila great for adventurous cocktails or unique tasting on its own. 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. It also tells you which tequila producer it comes from. It's also free of common allergens. Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. Two questions: Thank you! But if youre looking to take a celebratory shot, then blanco is a good option, says Gonzlez. The best Tequilas are not overly-priced, nor do they typically come in extravagant bottles and 99.9% of the time they are not celebrity owned or hyped. Why? In addition to being healthier than Smirnoff vodka, tequila has a plethora of health . 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. You can use the form (below) to subscribe to email alerts any time this list changes. So what do you think? The taste is equally flavorful, with added notes of pumpkin spice and clove on the palette before it gives way to a subtle herbaceous and vanilla finish. 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). Sauza crafts all of their tequilas using a process known as gentle extraction, which involves using the nectar of pure Weber blue agave and cooking the juices after theyve been extracted from the pia. In other words. to deceive us. Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. I mean its a decent app, I would just rather keep it all in TM. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. We later learned that additives were indeed being used in blanco tequilas and that a loophole in the NORMA made this possible. Arandas, in the Jalisco mountains of Mexico, is home to Cazcabel. Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish.