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". 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. Its affordable, accessible and goes down easy. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. A typical tequila is composed of 60% Agave oil, with no flavor. Checking production records at NOM 1123 (Cascahun), Checking production records at NOM 1492 (Tequila Patrn). Brands aren't required to put additives on the label, and even 100 percent agave tequilas commonly use them. The . They roast their agave in brick ovens for three days before shredding it to extract the juices for fermentation, and then they distill the tequila in handmade copper pot stills made by a local artisan. Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. 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. Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. The repo, aged in new barrels for 2-6 months, is closer to what you'd usually find in an aejo. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. On Facebook, many know me by the name Lou Agave. We go into detail about that here: https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. In February of 2021, Kendall Jenner announced her latest venture: 818 Tequila, a small-batch brand Jenner claims is the end result of a 3.5-year "journey to create the best-tasting tequila." Great for sipping, Siempre is incredibly smooth and naturally sweet (I.e. What you get is pure flavor thats perfect for sipping or adding to cocktails. The distillery is steeped in a rich history, tracing its . When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. Think of this as the cognac of tequila best for sipping neat, or with an ice cube. Our editors have reviewed dozens of tequila brands over the last year, to come up with some of our favorite bottles, based on taste profile, uniqueness and value. The story you mention is from 2017: The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. Youll also want to consider what the tequila is being used for. El Jimador, $21+, This award-winning, additive-free, sustainable tequila brand is the only one to earn B Corp certification. Tequila's popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and the top bottles now command cultish prices formerly reserved for the rarest of Scotches and small-batch bourbons. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. 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. Using only the best ingredients and a meticulous process, we are inspired by a vision of what tequila should be: complex, balanced and gastronomic. 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. Technically a barrel which has not been overused, will not need to have additives or essences. They can change the taste, by making the tequila sweeter with sugar based syrups or "jarabes", which can also include flavors and aromas, and this isn't just agave syrup, but a number of sugar based products, like cane sugar, aspartame, corn syrup, sucralose (Splenda), and stevia. 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. I am very happy I found this website and this list. Spirit of the Earth, he says. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. Don Julio. This is a terribly misleading and sneaky trick, but sadlya legal practice. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . 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. 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. According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. We choose to only make blanco to honor the agave, the people behind our product and Mexico, says Gonzlez. 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%. All of Cenotes tequilas (the line includes blanco, reposado, aejo and cristalino) are diligently crafted by the brands master distiller and master blender. I mean its a decent app, I would just rather keep it all in TM. 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. Founder Don Francisco changed the tequila process forever as he was the first person to cook agave in little ovens. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. 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. The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. Tequila Casa Del Sol. Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: White pepper, citrus zest, vanilla, herbs. Santo specializes in high-end old-style tequila, but the brand is anything but old-fashioned. In the spirit world, pure vodka is earthy and mildly sweet, whereas vodka containing rye is bland and sweet. Discover the Best of New York Wines with Hermann J Wiemer at Aroma Thyme Bistro. I do this as my passion, & nothing else. Tequila producers also use some additives, like glycerin or sugar-based syrup, to change the mouthfeel or intensify the brand's sweetness. I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. . . This is an unpretentious, no-nonsense tequila with nothing added, just 100% blue Weber agave. DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. Aejo cristalino is aged at least one year in white oak barrels then is filtered to remove its color and specific components to make it mellower, while conserving the sensory qualities of an aejo tequila we want to preserve, says Martinez. The . I love your reviews? However, we need someone willing to be the curator of each spirit. A final proprietary filtration process gives the cristalino the sparkling crystal-clear appearance from which it gets its name. Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer. Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. No, this is good tequila because it's a crisp, spicy, flavorful, and very versatile spirit. So who knows what a distillery may do to 'enhance' a contract brands juice, for their own convenience. I even contacted ones that some people feel are definite abusers. 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. Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. Tequila Patrn, for example, has a NOM of 1492. 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. My adviceif it doesn't taste natural or has an abnormal aroma or taste, has overly strong and unbalanced flavors, or is too sweet or has a sweet aftertaste, or is too dark in color for short aging, try one of the more trusted brands below, to see the difference. The ones that have indicated to me that they 'only' use some caramel coloring (even with no flavoring) to avoid differences in color, will not be mentioned below, as that doesn't cut it here. 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. Comparing production samples at La Altea (NOM 1139). They offer three classic options: blanco, reposado and aejo. If you try this tequila neat, youll notice notes of maple, vanilla and caramel, balanced with pepper and floral tones. The Best New-School Tequila Brands. 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. First sip I was like wow this stuff is sweet. 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). Additives can greatly change the color (SEE ABOVE- again thanks to Taste Tequila), making the appearance of longer aging, with caramel coloring. Pros. The caramel, vanilla and wood notes are strong, but thankfully the agave isn't lost in the aging. Initially launching in California, Florida, Texas, New York . And fun fact: It was created in tribute to the year Don Julio Gonzlez started his tequila-making journey. In addition to a number of other brands, Don Julio, Tequila . What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. Again it's YOU that decides this. Gran Coramino, $60+, Clase Azul wins for the packaging alone. . Case-in-point is Santos debut tequila which isnt technically a tequila. 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. Grover and Scarlet, document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tequila Matchmaker, our free app for iPhone and Android, can detect your own individual "flavor fingerprint" and match you with tequilas that are right for you (and then tell you where to find them.) This is tequila thats only aged for a few weeks, so it doesnt have time to develop the color and characteristics that come from a longer aging process. 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. Trending 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. 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. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. Thanks to investment and refinement from some pioneering brands, long gone are the days when Tequila was known only for its harsh palate. 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. Their agave is slow-cooked in brick ovens and then distilled in copper. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! Try it again and think diet Pepsi and tell me you cant taste the artificial sweeteners. 1. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. 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. Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? There are five different types of tequila: blanco, reposado, aejo, joven and extra aejo which are distinguished by the length of the aging process, known as aged expressions.. Tequila Blanco: Also known as silver tequila, this expression is only aged for up to two months and is bottled within 60 days of distillation.The best blanco tequilas will typically taste sweeter . . These additives aren't illegal, per se. Grassy and mild, with some pleasant notes of coconut, Espoln Blanco's smoothness and neutrality make it a great tequila for whatever you need, including and especially shots. $68 at Reserve Bar. This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. Fortaleza Blanco, Reposado and Aejo are all fantastic sipping tequilas from the Los Valles region, says Lavenue. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. What Features Should You Look for in Tequila? I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: The usual list is G4, Terralta, Pasote, Fortaleza, Cascahuin, El Tesoro, Tapatio, Siete Leguas, Olmeca Altos, and a few others. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. 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. A nice touch: the hand-blown glass bottle, which is topped with a hand-painted agave pia and vintage-inspired label. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. High-quality tequila producers will use 100%, but others may use things like sugar or molasses to make their product cheaper, adds Roy. Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. The female-owned and led brand was co-founded by CEO Bertha Gonzlez Nieves, the first female maestra tequilera certified by the Mexican Academy of Tequila Tasters. STILL: Copper Pot.
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