Additive-free tequilas do not require salt or lime to enjoy. I searched the web and found this list and was shocked that 100% only equals 99% when it comes to tequila. 9. . All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. Do you have any plans to verify if Don Julio is additive-free? All Rights reserved. 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'? All of the tequilas in the Casamigos line (they have a blanco, reposado and aejo) are made with 100% Weber blue agave with agave pias that are slow-roasted in brick ovens. This list will be updated each time a brand is added (or removed) from the program. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco Bell Flavors & Fragrances (above) and Symrise Flavorings are just two companies supplying these additives. Herradura got back to me saying that they're 100% additive free including their El Jimador line of products. I assume these brands tell themselves that it's part of the 'tequila making procedure'. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. ** There are some confusing rules in the NORMA that appear to allow the use of additives in a blanco. In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. 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'. I'm told it's possible a brand who contracts at a distillery may not even be aware if there are additives in their own tequila. (NOM 1579) -6 marks. Marcos Higareda of 'DesMaDre' said "we do not use ANY additives, never used and never will use caramel coloring, and it's all natural color, taste and aromas from natural barrel aging." It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Gran Coramino, $60+, Clase Azul wins for the packaging alone. Tom Sizemore, Heat and Saving Private Ryan Actor, Dead at 61 All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). Meanwhile, if the liquid begins to stick to your hands . Bartenders love Cenote in a Paloma too, and the company responded by introducing the first-ever World Paloma Day last May. Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. 74.95. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. Do you believe that? Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. Dano's Dangerous Tequila Pineapple & Jalapeo Fresh Fruit Infusion. 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. 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): Espoln Blanco Tequila. Tequila Matchmaker There's a tequila for everyone. A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. Its an easy-drinking bottle, ideal for upgraded cocktails (think, Aejo old fashioneds) or sipping on the rocks. 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. Do you have plans or know of any plans to do something similar with Agave Spirits? So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. 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? Is Patron no longer additive free as of 10/2022? Comparing the difference between a retail bottle and testigo sample. Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. Thank you for your time and commitment. Try it again and think diet Pepsi and tell me you cant taste the artificial sweeteners. As much as I love Tequila Matchmaker, I sadly have to use Distiller for my mezcal. March 3, 2023 Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! The secret to Cenotes smoothness? When will the list be available on the app? The brand offers two options: reposado cristalino and aejo. Frank Mendez of 'Gran Dovejo' said "we are 100% transparent which include being 100% additive free and the idea of creating GD actually came about due to the use of additives and misleading marketing practices found in the industry." 1. Tequila Casa Del Sol. 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. There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. Hi Keith. Our propietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best matches for you. The labelling states it was produced and bottled by : Destileria Santa Lucia , Thank you so much for putting this together and committing to keeping it updated! Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. Brands aren't required to put additives on the label, and even 100 percent agave tequilas commonly use them. 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. These are often referred to as a Mixto, where colors and flavors are added prior to bottling. 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. View more. Vandoliers Play Tennessee Concert in Dresses to Protest State's New Drag Bill Good for them.and Good for us. I am just reporting what these brands are saying is the truth. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. I love your reviews? When I drink tequila, I want to be drinking tequila and nothing else. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. I wish all things ingested would list ingredients. Tasha . This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. SHOP NOW. I'd rather have the 'natural color' after aging, and blend it that way with the other batches, without ANY colorings. none of the artificial additives that make you pucker); try it over ice for a refreshing summer tequila tasting too. What additives can you taste? Best tequila blanco: Siembra Azul Blanco. Silver (or Blanco) tequila is probably the most well-known, and it typically appears perfectly clear in the bottle. 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. Hiatus has three award-winning expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. 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.) 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. 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. In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. 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. W/ additives. This 'cutting corners' can reduce the quality of the tequila. Initially launching in California, Florida, Texas, New York . With a clean and complex mouthfeel, its ideal for sipping neat. 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. From now on, I may honestly just shop for tequilas that are on your list. An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. The aging process will also change the color of a tequila. Others like Jose Hermosillo of Casa Noble told me "we use no additives, that is why we do the kosher certification." That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. 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. Jessica Alba, Tinx, Jojo Fletcher and Kristin Cavallari are just a few famous faces that are mega fans of theiraward-winning varietiesCucumber Jalapeo, Valencia Orange and Grapefruit Hibiscusbut we have a feeling this isjust the seed of something bigger, flavor-wise. 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. Trending The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. 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. Buy El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila $39.99. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. View more. 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. Don Abraham Organic Blanco Tequila. I respect people that want quality and are not cutting corners, and promise they will never use any additives. " 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%. Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. Zarpado Tequila Blanco. (They even make their own compost!) Whats more, they were one of the first brands to use certified organic agave, and theyre committed to doing good for the environment. On the nose, the Maestro Dobel 50 releases notes of fig and dried fruit, with hints of cinnamon and honey. This may be one of the priciest options on our list, but this top-shelf tequila is worth the premium price. I think this is the most important thing with tequilaat least the tequila that I want to drink. Top 5 Tequilas For No Hangover. 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". Sauza, $20+, Cenote is an ultra-premium tequila inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula. Espoln Tequila, $32+, Funnyman Kevin Hart teamed up with Juan Domingo Beckmann, an 11th-generation tequila maker, to create Gran Coramino. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. Siempre. Siempre's blanco (plata) tequila was launched in 2015, and the reposado and aejo expressions arrived last year. 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. You rock, Grover and Scarlet! Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. Tequila Kateri Nom 1439, First step: Getting the product listed in the app. 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. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Hes been in the tequila business for almost thirty years, starting out with the award-winning Cabo Wabo brand back in 1991. Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? Interestingly, another brand that is 100% additive-free told me "rarely will a distiller commit to never using color, because sometime in the future, there could be a day that some tequila comes off the barrels lighter, and distillers would rather add a couple drops of organic caramel coloring instead of jeopardizing a stock of tequila that has inconsistent color on the shelf." Each year, the agave is harvested from a different farm/estate, then expertly distilled by Carlos Camarenaso each single estate bottling showcases its own distinct characteristics which truly highlights the terroir (or terruo in Spanish) of the Los Altos region of Jalisco. Tequila Ocho, $49+, LALO only makes one tequilaan additive-free blanco. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. Heres a rundown of each one: This is tequila in its purest form without aging and is clear in color, says Miguel Escobar Martinez, master distiller for Tequila Cazadores. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . Avoid these tequila brands: . Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. Remember they are saving time and money using them. A sneaky trick is to 'flavor' additives, which some brands endeavor to cover up, by simply naming them 'essences'. Another tactic often used to fool the public into thinking that a particular tequila was aged longer or is richer, is to tint the bottle glass to a darkish or amber appearance. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. You can read more about our methods and program goals, here. A lot of the brands on the list are not easily found in my area. August 4, 2021. 1. Making tequila requires thoughtful consideration of both legal and technical factors defining the spiritand many choices in the production process can have a tremendous impact on the final distillate. When it comes to flavor, Rodriguez says tequila can range from smooth and mellow, to a warmer and bolder profile.