JAJA is proudly additive free. 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. For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. Why? Cierto Tequila, a luxury portfolio of award-winning, 100% additive-free authentic tequilas, begins its U.S. rollout this month. We cant release that type of information without the risk of a lawsuit. The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn. 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 . :-). Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. I'm sure the brands are well aware of this, which only makes the problem worse. Best Tequilas for 2023: Top 5 Bottles Most Recommended By Expert I wish something like this was posted in stores. All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). This works as a great party idea too. We want to hear it. What a great resource you have put together. And legend has it, the first margarita ever made featured Jose Cuervo. 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. Rodriguezs favorite in the collection is the classic Patrn Silver. Gran Coramino, $60+, Clase Azul wins for the packaging alone. "Additives are designed to soften the rough edges of a tequila, to add a flavor that is not present in tequila when it is distilled.", explained David Alan, director of business education and mixology of PATRN to Vine Pair. Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. Grover and Scarlet, 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. 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): 2. $68 at Reserve Bar. 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. Looking to Start Boxing After Watching 'Creed III'? Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? 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. Patrn, one of most well-known tequila brands in the world, actually offers a diverse portfolio of authentic tequilas that you wont find in nightclubs or seedy bars. " 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%. What are the additive-free tequila brands? | News York Time 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. Is Patron no longer additive free as of 10/2022? Want to know more? Some brands I have mentioned or will mention, say they are 100% additive free, and although I do like and drink their products, I will not add them to my 'personal' list below, because I am not 100% sure. Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. I just want to give you some statements and some brand names to explore. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. All of Cincoros tequilas are made with 100% Weber blue agave from private farms in Jalisco, Mexico and are produced in small batches. Tequila producers also use some additives, like glycerin or sugar-based syrup, to change the mouthfeel or intensify the brand's sweetness. 20 best tequila brands of 2023 for sipping or mixing margaritas 18 Best Sipping Tequilas You Can Buy Right Now - Delish You have to train yourself to make an educated decision. One way is to get familiar with the products that are on the list, and then the additive-filled stuff becomes much easier to detect. Good stuff!! Top 5 Tequilas For No Hangover. The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. Patron Anejo Barrel Select. On the nose, the Maestro Dobel 50 releases notes of fig and dried fruit, with hints of cinnamon and honey. We choose to only make blanco to honor the agave, the people behind our product and Mexico, says Gonzlez. 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. Do you have any plans to verify if Don Julio is additive-free? 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa Noble Casamigos Cazul . Want to upgrade your bar cart, but not sure where to start? 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. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. Another thing to look for aside: a four-digit number that represents each distillerys unique code. In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. View On Drizly View On Caskers. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. 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. It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Best Tequilas 2023 - The Luxury Editor According to The Spirits Business, the top-selling tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. 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. Thanks so much for this list and all your efforts to be able to share your research with us all. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. It doesn't mean I don't like their product or that it doesn't taste fine, but coloring is an additive. what's not to understand? One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. 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. Casa Noble Blanco is a tequila brand that uses local agave, particularly estate-grown agave. The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. Others like Jose Hermosillo of Casa Noble told me "we use no additives, that is why we do the kosher certification." Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. 2. Required fields are marked *. This tequila is from a distillery in the Jalisco, Mexico region featuring an ABV of 40%. I love that some of my favorites are already here and some that I need try. Maybe Distiller could help for you? 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. 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. The tequila is made from 100 percent all-natural, fully matured Blue Weber agave artisanally produced without additives or diffusers. The distillery is steeped in a rich history, tracing its . Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well. This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. This is just artificial flavor, and another trick being presented to the tequila drinking community. Please send us production information and photos of the bottle on a white background. Whether you decide to sip Dulce Vidas blanco, reposado or aejo neat or include them in your favorite cocktails, youll be sure to enjoy their pure taste. It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Two questions: 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 . You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . Santaleza Tequila Enters the US Luxury Spirit Market Its called Mezquila, the worlds first and only tequila-mezcal blend. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. Silver (or Blanco) tequila is probably the most well-known, and it typically appears perfectly clear in the bottle. You can taste the additives in Kirkland tequilaThe best option is to not buy what doesnt disclose. 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. 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'. Thank you. Thanks for leading the charge and creating transparency in the industry. The tequila has a really smooth, sweet taste with notes of citrus, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and more to give it a unique tasting experience that I really enjoy. Tequila Cazadores,$23+, Tequila Ocho is my personal favorite brand, says Lavenue. Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. These distilleries are: Patron Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) -2 brands. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. 10 Best Tequilas to Drink in 2023 - insider.com 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. 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. 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? 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. I want to stay away from additives. When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Reposado's tasting notes consist of sweet maple, cooked agave, and toasted wood. What do you think about that do you agree? 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. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Aejo's tasting notes consist of roasted coffee, dried fruit, and vanilla. Thank you for the clarification. 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. The product is kosher, organic, and certified clean industry. They are a reality, and remember it's legal, but only up to 1% of total volume, on additives of: caramel color, oak extract, glycerin and "sugar-based syrup" (like agave nectar), but not necessarily ONLY from agave. "We think it's 70% by sales volume last year, so there will always be fewer additive free-tequilas," Scarlet tells me. Essences or flavorings are still additives, and these can include vanilla or herbs used to alter or create a flavor. Patrn Aejo Patrn Aejo is a carefully . 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. This is called the rectification stage, before bottling. The 18 Best Tequilas in the World - Men's Journal Within the aejo category, there are also two variations: aejo cristalino and extra aejo. The List: Additive-Free Tequila Brands | TasteTequila 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. Alcohol Beverages, Products & Brands Launched in February 2023 (They even make their own compost!) You can read more about our methods and program goals, here. That's why we are proud to offer wines from Hermann J Wiemer, one of the most celebrated wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Spirit of the Earth, he says. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. This unique process creates a flavor profile thats both familiar and brand-new: Its light and fresh like great tequila, but also has a hint of the smokiness we look for with mezcal. El EZ E, Im also a fan of the Kirkland Anejo. Thank you for creating it. Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. 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. Mijenta Tequila, $43+, Eterno Verano, which means "endless summer" in Spanish, was inspired by the 1966 movie The Endless Summer. We dont have much production information on this product either. I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. 18 Best Tequila Brands 2023 - Top Tequila Bottles To Buy Now - Delish The 6 Best Margarita Mixes of 2023 - The Spruce Eats "We choose to . According to recent market research, tequila has seen significant growth in bars and restaurants across the country over the last couple of years. Oct 28, 2022. The tech side is easy, the admin side is not! 1. And if its a Tommys-style margarita, even better, says Justin Lavenue, owner/operator and co-founder of The Roosevelt Room in Austin, Texas. 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. In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. Can I assume that if the distillery is verified, that all of their products are free from additives? So excited to confidently try some expressions that are verified free of additives. ABV: 46.3%. This is one tequila brand youll want to display prominently on your bar cartand savor every last drop of! 1) Yes, there are many tequilas that are additive free, but have not gone through our process. 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 your reviews? . The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. Dano's Dangerous Tequila Pineapple & Jalapeo Fresh Fruit Infusion. This is fantastic information and your website is an unbelievable resource, which I greatly appreciate. 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. On Sale. Before being triple distilled, this silver tequila had the tropical fruit cooked in traditional stone . Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . 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 . That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. 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". Blending of different barrels at the end before bottling, plays a major role in tequila making, and remember that although they use the barrels multiple times, they may also be blending with a fresh 'new' aged barrel of tequila as well, as this really is an art. The brands Aejo expression begins with 100% blue weber agave, which is double distilled and then aged 18 months in ex-California wine barrels. A typical tequila is composed of 60% Agave oil, with no flavor. Just mix 1.5 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec, and a squeeze of fresh lime. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. 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. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. 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. Thank you! Bribon Reposado Tequila. There are three main types of tequila to choose from. Thank you so much for putting this together and committing to keeping it updated! 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. Jaja Tequila Reposado (750 ml) Delivery or Pickup Near Me - Instacart REGION: Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) COOKING: Stone/Brick Ovens. The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . But if youre looking to take a celebratory shot, then blanco is a good option, says Gonzlez. March 3, 2023 Please check on CABAL tequila- spoke with them personally at an event and they claimed to be additive free! Enjoying catching up on your videos and love the passion you two have to this wonderful juice! Dano (yep, there's actually a Dano behind Dano's Dangerous Tequila) works with one of . All of Cenotes tequilas (the line includes blanco, reposado, aejo and cristalino) are diligently crafted by the brands master distiller and master blender. Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. 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. Though it may be controversial, 818 Tequila is undoubtedly one of the most popular agave spirits on the market right now. El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. Do they have additives? 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. $149.99. Tequila Gran Diamante is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila that's stirring up excitement on the spirits scene. Our top pick is the Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022, a single-estate tequila that's perfect for sipping. ), just want to know what kind of additives they would use. If youre hosting a party or large gathering, youll want to stock up on bottles of Espoln. Jose Cuervo, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. We're starting to expect this in our food, why shouldn't we expect this in our spirits? Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. However, we need someone willing to be the curator of each spirit. 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. Region: Jalisco, Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, Agave, Mint. I so much appreciate the app and have let it assist in guiding my agave journey! If after a few seconds the tequila maintains its consistency and your hands feel dry as they would from a few drops of water, then you likely have an additive-free tequila. Blancos are also usually cheaper. Just wondering how I can tell is a brand that is not on your list is or is not additive free. The Best Tequila Under $50 To Try in 2022 - Next Luxury Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. Gran Coraminos tequilas are roasted in traditional stone ovens and barrel-aged. I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. G4 Premium Blanco Tequila 108 Proof | Marketplace