The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. Keep up the great work, I know I greatly enjoy the content. All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. Others like Jose Hermosillo of Casa Noble told me "we use no additives, that is why we do the kosher certification." 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. No, this is good tequila because it's a crisp, spicy, flavorful, and very versatile spirit. Casa Noble, $45+, Theres a reason why this is the best-selling tequila in the world. Two questions: 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. There wont be any need to link to this version of the list. Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . This ensures the freshest agave flavorand you can tell. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more. Give it a try! When will the list be available on the app? We mention products that contain additives in our content, but were not going out of our way to promote them. I only start drinking Patron because of they were additive free. (Rule number one: Never buy tequila that . Santaleza Tequila Enters the US Luxury Spirit Market Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. So when a brand says "we are 100% additive free" there is no way you can prove it. Cierto Tequila Begins Its U.S. Rollout - BevNET.com Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. Just wondering how I can tell is a brand that is not on your list is or is not additive free. 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. The 6 Best Sustainable Mezcal Brands - LeafScore We dont have much production information on this product either. The top five best-selling tequila brands run the gamut from budget picks to higher-end options. With most quality brands, especially ones in which the distillery owns, you may not have to worry as much about this next practice. They can also use glycerin to make the mouthfeel 'rounder', slicker, thicker, oilier, sweeter and different altogether. 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. El Cristiano Tequila, $48+, All of Dulce Vidas tequilas are handcrafted in small batches, made with 100% blue agave and aged in American oak whiskey barrels for a refreshing flavor and smooth finish. You just need to know what to look for. Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex 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. This list will be updated each time a brand is added (or removed) from the program. Casa Dragones, $70+, Most tequilas are aged in American oak, but Casa Noble is different. 5 Best Tequilas For No Hangover Recommended by Experts (2023) An incredible effort here! Zarpado Tequila Blanco. Choose from blanco, aejo, reposado and more. I do believe it's safe to say that products made by the quality brands mentioned below on my favorites list, seem to be completely additive free. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time A nice touch: the hand-blown glass bottle, which is topped with a hand-painted agave pia and vintage-inspired label. Popular Brands. Thanks for a complete list and for clarifying about Blancos and the NOM loophole, as well as everything else you do. The usual list is G4, Terralta, Pasote, Fortaleza, Cascahuin, El Tesoro, Tapatio, Siete Leguas, Olmeca Altos, and a few others. The legal requirement is at least 51% blue agave. 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. This is fantastic information and your website is an unbelievable resource, which I greatly appreciate. 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. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa Noble Casamigos Cazul . Nobu AND QUI Tequila Launch Nobu Rare 2008 Reserve Fortaleza Blanco. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Aejo's tasting notes consist of roasted coffee, dried fruit, and vanilla. This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. Gran Coraminos tequilas are roasted in traditional stone ovens and barrel-aged. 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. Cenote says the water goes through a reverse osmosis process and carbon filters with silver ions help to eliminate any chance of impurities affecting the taste. 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. Looking to Start Boxing After Watching 'Creed III'? The 6 Best Margarita Mixes of 2023 - The Spruce Eats I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. 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. Highlights: Mezcal made with sustainably cultivated agave by a company that is highly socially engaged. These tequilas are soft, well-rounded and easy to drink, says Roy. 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. View more. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. 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. Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. 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. Best value tequila: Corralejo Reposado. The tequila is made from 100 percent all-natural, fully matured Blue Weber agave artisanally produced without additives or diffusers. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . I do enjoy Clasa Azul which is made by Productos Finos de Agave, I believe. 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. No additives 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'? significant growth in bars and restaurants. It was founded by Ana Mara Romero Mena, who grew up in Mexico City and started her career in tequila more than 30 years ago. The app can support any agave spirit, including mezcal. In other words. to deceive us. And if its a Tommys-style margarita, even better, says Justin Lavenue, owner/operator and co-founder of The Roosevelt Room in Austin, Texas. Alcohol Beverages, Products & Brands Launched in February 2023 . 9. 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. 27 Best Tequila Brands for Shots, Margaritas, Sipping - Parade 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. It is a number that appears on every bottle of tequila that indicates which company or distillery is responsible for its production. $68 at Reserve Bar. But that said, despite what . The Lowdown on Tequila Additives | TasteTequila This INCLUDES the legal 1% allowance, and I made that an important point to each brand. Now available! It is an opt-in program, which needs to be renewed each year. Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. Region of Origin: All tequila comes from the Tequila region of Mexico, and in order for a spirit to call itself tequila, it must be distilled from agave plants grown in that region. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. This incredible distillate features notes of olives, herbs, earth and grass. Reposado tequila is also aged but the aging process can be anywhere from two months to 11 months. If that's all they ever did, I guess it's livable, although I'd prefer an 'off color' myself, and being completely additive free. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. Bribon Reposado Tequila. ABV/PROOF: 54% abv (108-proof) Confirmed Additive Free Tequila. Best tequila with no additives/ sweeteners under 80$ This saddens me that this is all being done all in the name of profits vs integrity & honesty. The rosado tequila is positioned as a daytime-friendly reposado, providing a high-quality option for afternoon sipping. Thanks. Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. So in the end I would say, do one of two things. Because it is such an IMPORTANT part of Tequila today, here is just the 'Additive Section' and my Personal list of 'Additive-free brands' from my recent, longer and more detailed article titled- "AGING OF TEQUILA - BARREL TECHNIQUES, ADDITIVES, ADDITIVE-FREE BRANDS, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS TO KNOW.". Top 10 Blanco Tequilas - Food & Wine Clase Azul, $137+, Casa Dragones is a small-batch tequila producer that crafts some of the smoothest tequilas on the market. 20 best tequila brands of 2023 for sipping or mixing margaritas We can smell what The Rocks drinking, and its good! So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. The labelling states it was produced and bottled by : Destileria Santa Lucia , 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. Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! At the time, that was enough for us. You rock, Grover and Scarlet! Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. Essences or flavorings are still additives, and these can include vanilla or herbs used to alter or create a flavor. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options, here are the best tequilas to add to your bar cart right now. Avoid these tequila brands: . These wine barrels let the spirit age in a different direction (dont worry; it doesnt taste like wine), and impart the unique rosy glow that gives Calirosa its name. 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. From budget-friendly to top-shelf options. Remember they are saving time and money using them. 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. Look for a tequila producer that uses 100% blue agavesome companies add other flavors that distort the flavors, and you can really taste the difference, says Roy. Tequila Gran Diamante is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila that's stirring up excitement on the spirits scene. Drink brands from Europe where GMOs are (nearly) banned. The List: Additive-Free Tequila Brands | TasteTequila Although not technically tequila, Revels Avila should be on every tequila and mezcal fans radar. The brand offers blanco, reposado and aejo varieties as well as pre-made margaritas, mixes and canned cocktails. 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'. 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. Jose Cuervo, $26+, Related:35+ Best Canned Cocktails and Drinks, Looking for the best sipping tequila? Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. 2. Again it's YOU that decides this. 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. These brands are going 'on record' here, as being an ADDITIVE FREE TEQUILA BRAND, and I have contacted a wide variety of brands to ask if they are 100% additive free. I love your reviews? Its called Mezquila, the worlds first and only tequila-mezcal blend. Tequila Health Benefits: Low-Sugar and Low-Carb The brands Aejo expression begins with 100% blue weber agave, which is double distilled and then aged 18 months in ex-California wine barrels. Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. It quickly became a staple then and is a mainstay still today. I contacted Jose Cuervo, Cazadores and Sauza to ask about any additives in their 100% agave tequilas to see what they'd say. Founder Don Francisco changed the tequila process forever as he was the first person to cook agave in little ovens. do you agree with these brands? If Casamigos is what you serve at your party, Clase Azul is what you break out for the select few invited to stick around after the crowd leaves. 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. I assume these brands tell themselves that it's part of the 'tequila making procedure'. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. However, it smells smoky like mezcal or charred wood, and there's a hint of that tequila agave scent. There are 4 types of additives allowed by law for use in all** 100% agave tequilas: 1. You can enjoy them neat, over ice or mixed into a cocktail. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. The 12 Best Sipping Tequilas to Drink of 2023 - Liquor.com Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. Casa Del Sol. 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. 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 . 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. .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. I will add the Pasote and El Tesoro XAs, as well as the Calle 23 Criollo, to my personal additive-free list. Maybe Distiller could help for you? Send to: tequilamatchmaker@gmail.com. I am totally independent & honest. Dont be fooled by the gold label on gold tequila. Still, its $500+ price-point doesnt exactly make it an accessible bottle to buy. The crystal-clear Bribon is unaged with vegetal earthy notes that work well in a margarita, paloma, or old-fashioned, though Jessica Fallon, general Manager of Ladybirds in Houston, Texas, says she prefers drinking it on the rocks. I am excited to have this list in list forminstead of finding them individually on TMM app. Casa Noble Blanco is a tequila brand that uses local agave, particularly estate-grown agave. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few hours to a few days, depending on how many brands and products we are reviewing at the distillery. We can do both, cant we? Are tequilas marked organic additive free? Espoln Blanco Tequila. The distillery actually sits on the edge of an extinct volcano, whose porous foundation acts as a natural filter for the spring water used to make their tequila. 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. Cincoro Tequila, $90+, Lavenue says Espoln Blanco is one of the best-value tequilas on the market. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. Break this one out for the most special of occasions. It truly is a paragon of the subregion and doesn't get much better given its price point. Tequila Fortaleza, $47+, One of the top five selling tequilas in the world, Hornitos is a premium tequila brand crafted with 100% blue agave. Now thats a game changer APP that would get you many more subscribers. 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. none of the artificial additives that make you pucker); try it over ice for a refreshing summer tequila tasting too. So very helpful! Don't believe us? Thank you! Made from 100% blue agave, Tequila Cazadores undergoes a seven-step sustainable, zero-waste production process that includes double distillation, double fermentation and careful maturation. 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? 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. The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. 6. I think this is the most important thing with tequilaat least the tequila that I want to drink. Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. As far as alcohol goes, it's not a bad option. Bell Flavors & Fragrances (above) and Symrise Flavorings are just two companies supplying these additives. What are the additive-free tequila brands - American Post In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. 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? Best tequila overall: Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022. Smooth. Thanks to investment and refinement from some pioneering brands, long gone are the days when Tequila was known only for its harsh palate. Nathan. From their signature silver and reposado tequilas to their ultra-premium extra aejo, youre sure to love these award-winning spirits for their taste and quality. I mean its a decent app, I would just rather keep it all in TM. Using only the best ingredients and a meticulous process, we are inspired by a vision of what tequila should be: complex, balanced and gastronomic. Rodriguezs favorite in the collection is the classic Patrn Silver. Additive-Free Tequila: Regulations and Why I Prefer No Additives And legend has it, the first margarita ever made featured Jose Cuervo. There are . 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. 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. 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. 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". 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. Though it may be controversial, 818 Tequila is undoubtedly one of the most popular agave spirits on the market right now. Long Island Lou Tequila's Personal Additive - Free Favorites List. 15 Best Tequila Brands Of 2021: Expert Sipping Guide - Luxe Digital Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. So, what exactly should you consider when shopping for tequila? It's made with 100 percent Blue Weber agave (i.e. 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. El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. 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. View On Drizly View On Caskers. I will need to check to see if our database needs to be updated to reflect that. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. According to The Spirits Business, the top-selling tequila brand in the world is Jose Cuervo. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. and is there an app you prefer for Mezcal? Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! I'd rather have the 'natural color' after aging, and blend it that way with the other batches, without ANY colorings. 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. Mijenta Tequila | Marketplace In the 2012 NORMA, section 4.36.1 says that blanco tequilas should be sin abocante (without additives). 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. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? Surprise Surprise. DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! 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". Great for sipping, Siempre is incredibly smooth and naturally sweet (I.e. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. It has a smooth, even finish. This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. Although partly owned by Bacardi since 2017, Ilegal remains one of the most sustainable and socially engaged mezcal brands around, having been founded in 2006 by John Rexer to supply his bar in Antigua, Guatemala. Of course you can taste the ones that use these natural additives- as they are too sweet, too candyish, too oily etc, and it's even easier to tell the ones that really 'go to town', and totally abuse this rule. There is a variety of flavors to tequila, depending on the amount of sugar in it as well as how long it has been aged. I mean Jimador is a diffuser product, so this is quite interesting and hard to believe for sure. What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? 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! (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) Jose Cuervo . Oct 28, 2022. 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. I wish something like this was posted in stores. 18 Best Tequila Brands 2023 - Top Tequila Bottles To Buy Now - Delish You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! Martinez adds that a reposado tequila can also work well in a margarita. CODIGO 1530. These are often referred to as a Mixto, where colors and flavors are added prior to bottling.
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