Jose Cuervo, $26+, Related:35+ Best Canned Cocktails and Drinks, Looking for the best sipping tequila? 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. The brand offers a blanco, reposado, aejo, aejo cristalino and extra aejo in its lineupand they recently released a limited edition reposado to celebrate their 100th birthday. . Coloring and other additives usually go in after aging and before bottling. In the world of spirits, tequila is currently having a moment. This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. 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 assume these brands tell themselves that it's part of the 'tequila making procedure'. Give it a try! 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. Trending Thank you! Long Island Lou Tequila's Personal Additive - Free Favorites List. A carefully handcrafted tequila produced in small batches, the Chamucos Blanco features notes of vanilla, citrus, cinnamon and fennel. I love your reviews? Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. This tequila pulls soft notes from the barrels like caramel and vanilla, as well as sweet, tropical fruity flavors like pineapple, and works well with the herbaceous flavors of the tequila, adds Sylvi Roy, bar manager at Twelve in Portland, Maine. This micro-distillery produces premium tequila, inspired by the legend of a medicine man known as Don Cazcabel. Martinez adds that a reposado tequila can also work well in a margarita. Vivanco (NOM 1414) -7 brands. The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis. Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails. 1. Theyre made from 100% blue agave and are meant for sipping. This is just artificial flavor, and another trick being presented to the tequila drinking community. Hiatus has three award-winning expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo. David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. And fun fact: It was created in tribute to the year Don Julio Gonzlez started his tequila-making journey. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. The List: Best Tequila, According To Experts. Brand founder Cirilo Oropeza named the brand Espoln, which means spur in Spanish, to honor his commitment to the tequila craft. No Additives. Now that you know the basics, here are nine more things you should know about the supermodel-approved premium tequila brand. $149.99. These additives aren't illegal, per se. 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. You just need to know what to look for. High-quality tequila producers will use 100%, but others may use things like sugar or molasses to make their product cheaper, adds Roy. It would be a handy reference when shopping. What additives can you taste? Siempre's blanco (plata) tequila was launched in 2015, and the reposado and aejo expressions arrived last year. There are . I'm sure the brands are well aware of this, which only makes the problem worse. So when a brand says "we are 100% additive free" there is no way you can prove it. Donate Bitcoin here: 3B6B2eV1Sg8myRJUi2hikD19nE32pxpLT9, ADDITIVES IN TEQUILA & MY PERSONAL LIST OF ADDITIVE-FREE TEQUILA BRANDS, http://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/, https://www.facebook.com/Long-Island-Lou-Tequila-641682619241422. These are often referred to as a Mixto, where colors and flavors are added prior to bottling. Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. The . 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. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. Espolon Blanco Tequila. . If you want to discover an authentic Mexican tequila with a bold yet traditional flavor, then order a bottle of El Tesoro. 13. I wish something like this was posted in stores. . Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. They could contain additives and still be considered organic.. 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. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. Related This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! Surprise Surprise. 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. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. This is one tequila brand youll want to display prominently on your bar cartand savor every last drop of! Here is the best tequila for no hangover that is a must-have for every celebration. Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. 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! The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. In addition to being healthier than Smirnoff vodka, tequila has a plethora of health . 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. 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. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. 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? The Best New-School Tequila Brands. It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. What a great resource you have put together. 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. 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". The usual list is G4, Terralta, Pasote, Fortaleza, Cascahuin, El Tesoro, Tapatio, Siete Leguas, Olmeca Altos, and a few others. Photo credit: Courtesy. What you get is pure flavor thats perfect for sipping or adding to cocktails. Compared to a 100-calorie pour of tequila, that's pretty good. In some parts of the world they are. The Aejo promises notes of vanilla, caramel, cacao, and butterscotch, while the agave takes a supporting role. To celebrate the release, Dobel collaborated with the Mexico City-based design firm Onora on a custom hand-painted bottle stopper inspired by the traditional Mexican folk art craft known as Amate. Only 200 bottles were produced of the Maestro Dobel 50 Onora, which retails for $250. REGION: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) COOKING: Stone/Brick Ovens. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time $159.99. Its best sipped slow for a warm, inviting mouthfeel. A typical tequila is composed of 60% Agave oil, with no flavor. Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. All of Cenotes tequilas (the line includes blanco, reposado, aejo and cristalino) are diligently crafted by the brands master distiller and master blender. El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. 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. 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. SHOP NOW. W/ additives. 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. Want to know more? From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Reposado's tasting notes consist of sweet maple, cooked agave, and toasted wood. Clasa Azul is an additive-loaded tequila of low quality and is extraordinarily overpriced. 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. We mention products that contain additives in our content, but were not going out of our way to promote them. Also be on the lookout for Santo's excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. Sometimes using french oak barrels may make you 'think' there are additives, because it can taster very sweet, even overly sweet. A complete one stop tequila review app/web site. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. At over $100, this is a true premium spirit, with a bottle and flavor profile worthy of its price. Thank you for the clarification. Good for them.and Good for us. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? So what do you think? CODIGO 1530. Handcrafted using the time-honored tahona process, the Roca Patrn Tequila collection offers a sophisticated and complex flavor profile thats an elegant and elevated take on tequila. The top five best-selling tequila brands run the gamut from budget picks to higher-end options. This list is awesome! Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. 27 February 2023 By Alice Brooker. This is a 'Hot Topic' and people will hold these brands accountable. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. Looking to Start Boxing After Watching 'Creed III'? 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. Tequila Casa Del Sol. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. The brand has been around since 1950. You can taste the additives in Kirkland tequilaThe best option is to not buy what doesnt disclose. Hiatus uses a ground-to-glass method which combines traditional methods and modern technology, produced by master distiller, Luis Trejo Rodrguez at La Cofrada. 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. I am excited to have this list in list forminstead of finding them individually on TMM app. It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Thanks so much for this list and all your efforts to be able to share your research with us all. I say keep it pure and natural. For everyone else, the regular (but still beautifully bottled) Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Anejo is available online starting from $159. The best tequilas in 2023. 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. The product is kosher, organic, and certified clean industry. Vanilla and Cocoa powder (chocolate) are also considered a type of oak extract, and although vanilla is not part of the 1% group, vanilla is something that can occur naturally in a barrel, but it is naturally 'subtle'. Within the aejo category, there are also two variations: aejo cristalino and extra aejo. Thank you for your rapid response, I love it. I mean Jimador is a diffuser product, so this is quite interesting and hard to believe for sure. Sugar-based Syrup. I just dont see us going there, even if we come off as snobby or elitist. When I drink tequila, I want to be drinking tequila and nothing else. 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): 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). But if youre looking to take a celebratory shot, then blanco is a good option, says Gonzlez. Cazcabel. 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. You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . This works as a great party idea too. Why mess with a good thing? As Taste Tequila reported, you don't need to use additives to make a profile, if you are being creative, as Sergio Mendoza does at Don Fulano. 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. Let's discuss it. Avion founder Ken Austin, said that Avion is 100% additive free, and cited the light color in the anejo. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. Cenote makes a super drinkable tequila thats flavorful without overwhelming the palette. 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. Rodriguezs favorite in the collection is the classic Patrn Silver. This ensures the freshest agave flavorand you can tell. Tequila Matchmaker There's a tequila for everyone. 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 . 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. The ultra-premium highlands tequila uses all the beverage buzz words, like small batch production, and distilled in handmade copper pot stills. But beyond the hype, its a smooth, easy to drink option; naturally sweetened with the rich aroma of mature agave plants, with a clean finish. I contacted Jose Cuervo, Cazadores and Sauza to ask about any additives in their 100% agave tequilas to see what they'd say. 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. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. The result is a clean, smooth tequila. " 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%. 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. 40% alcohol by volume in tequila is typical. They offer three classic options: blanco, reposado and aejo. 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. Our proprietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best . Read Full Article. Our top pick is the Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022, a single-estate tequila that's perfect for sipping. 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. 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. However, we need someone willing to be the curator of each spirit. We need to let each other know, of the 'obvious offenders', even though it's legal up to this 1% limit. The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. Lalo is a great tequila blanco with no 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". 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. Patron Anejo Barrel Select. ABV/PROOF: 54% abv (108-proof) Confirmed Additive Free 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. No, this is good tequila because it's a crisp, spicy, flavorful, and very versatile spirit. 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. Zarpado Tequila Blanco. These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. Made from blue agave plants in Mexico, Clase Azul Reposado Tequila features notes of spice, cream soda, apple cider, jasmine, cinnamon and honey. A final proprietary filtration process gives the cristalino the sparkling crystal-clear appearance from which it gets its name. Our organic processes does not include any additives, which some tequila brands use to manipulate color, flavor, aroma, etc. 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. Before being triple distilled, this silver tequila had the tropical fruit cooked in traditional stone . Check Price. This is fantastic information and your website is an unbelievable resource, which I greatly appreciate. A new entry into the tequila market, El Bandido Yankee launched in 2021 by former NFL player Jim Bob Morris and restaurateur and NHL Hall of Fame Hockey Player Chris Chelios. We cant release that type of information without the risk of a lawsuit. Again it's YOU that decides this. I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. "We choose to . 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. So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. Answers: Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. Herradura got back to me saying that they're 100% additive free including their El Jimador line of products. significant growth in bars and restaurants. .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. Thats why I stick to and fully endorse the products from NOM1146 . Tequila producers also use some additives, like glycerin or sugar-based syrup, to change the mouthfeel or intensify the brand's sweetness. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . 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. Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. Total Wine. Additives - especially caramel coloring or oak extracts - are most commonly found in aged tequilas to boost a tequila's appearance. . El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. This was our first super premium 100% Weber blue agave tequila, and it changed America's perceptions about tequila, he says. Cincoro Tequila, $90+, Lavenue says Espoln Blanco is one of the best-value tequilas on the market. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. Consider that mission achieved, plus they've built quite the celeb following! Very smooth, nice taste, and perfect for sipping straight. The tequila now will seem darker, and although it's still a dirty trick, if it has no additives in it, its still a lot better than paying extra money for a rested or aged tequila with fake colors and flavors added. So very helpful! 9. Technically a barrel which has not been overused, will not need to have additives or essences. Tequila Kateri Nom 1439, First step: Getting the product listed in the app. Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. The aging process will also change the color of a tequila. Highlights: Mezcal made with sustainably cultivated agave by a company that is highly socially engaged. WATER SOURCE: Natural spring water, Rain water. And legend has it, the first margarita ever made featured Jose Cuervo. Thank you for the list, what kind of additives are you talking about? 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. Don Abraham Organic Blanco Tequila. Espoln Blanco Tequila. Find which tequilas are right for you. 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. 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.
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