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. No Additives. In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. Dano's Dangerous Tequila Pineapple & Jalapeo Fresh Fruit Infusion. There are some outstanding tequilas that have flavor added, and I would like to see reviews, ratings and discussion on them as well. I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. 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." Owned by spirits-giant Diageo, Don Julio is enjoyed by tequila lovers all over the world and is known for being a staple brand. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! G4 Premium Blanco Tequila 108 Proof | Marketplace You can taste the additives in Kirkland tequilaThe best option is to not buy what doesnt disclose. 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. Good stuff!! When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. 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. 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. What additives can you taste? Give it a try! Produced using the tequila-making traditions of the Los Bajos region and its tequilieras, the tequila is meticulously aged inFrench White Oakred wine (Cabernet) barrels from Napa Valley. It's also free of common allergens. However, it smells smoky like mezcal or charred wood, and there's a hint of that tequila agave scent. 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. Teremana Tequila, $35+, El Cristiano Tequila handcrafts sustainable, additive-free and gluten-free tequilas with only the finest aged Weber blue agave from the Jalisco Highlands. Comparing the difference between a retail bottle and testigo sample. For a more complex flavor profile, those that have been aged at least one year like an aejo or extra eejo work perfectly.. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. Drink brands from Europe where GMOs are (nearly) banned. There are 4 types of additives allowed by law for use in all** 100% agave tequilas: 1. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. 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. Casa Noble Blanco is a tequila brand that uses local agave, particularly estate-grown agave. For example, if youre looking to make cocktails, then you should choose a blanco or reposadobut if youre looking to sip tequila on its own, then you should select an aejo or one of its variations, says Martinez. 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. https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-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. Patron Anejo Barrel Select. Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. If your bottle doesnt have a NOM, that means its not certified by the TRC (Tequila Regulatory Council), and not an authentic Tequila producer. 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. 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. Mijenta Tequila, $43+, Eterno Verano, which means "endless summer" in Spanish, was inspired by the 1966 movie The Endless Summer. 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. It makes sensewith its sweet, smooth taste, tequila is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in margaritas and other yummy cocktails as well as sipped straight or over ice. Drink experts agree tequila is best had in cocktails or by slowly sipping so you can enjoy the complexity of the spirit. Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. When mixed together, both vodka and tequila can be a good option with coke zero. Thank you for your rapid response, I love it. El Tesoro may be owned by Beam Suntory, the Japanese company responsible for Suntory Whisky, but this tequila is still made from traditional methods and local agave. Thank you for creating it. 6. 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. 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. "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. Don Julio. A silky and savory tequila, Chamucos goes as well with Baja fish tacos as it does with a simple lime slice. Please send us production information and photos of the bottle on a white background. .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. Trending The 25 Best Tequila Brands for Sipping, Shots and Margaritas in 2022 - MSN So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. Espoln Blanco Tequila. Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. 3/1/2023 0 Comments At Aroma Thyme Bistro, we are passionate about supporting local and sustainable businesses. . The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. Thats why I stick to and fully endorse the products from NOM1146 . 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. The idea: to create an ultra premium, ultra-smooth tequila at an accessible price point. Danos also won the Gold Medal in the 2019 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Tasting Competition, and the Double Gold and Gold in the 2018 SIP Awards. no headache-inducing fillers). 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. The experts pointed to a line in the guidelines that read additives "must not be greater than 1% in relation to the total weight of the tequila before it is bottled. . Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well. This INCLUDES the legal 1% allowance, and I made that an important point to each brand. 5 Types of Tequila. The flavors are complex and sophisticated while still being approachable and easy to drink. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. Named after the Spanish word for diamond, Diamante was created with no additives. Just mix 1.5 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec, and a squeeze of fresh lime. El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. . He said people have their opinions about Productos Finos de Agave, but he was clear that any sweet profile is strictly from very ripe agaves. 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. High-quality tequila producers will use 100%, but others may use things like sugar or molasses to make their product cheaper, adds Roy. 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. This is a fantastic resource and will be a great help in my future purchases and recommendations. I am passionate about tequila and I will keep this list close. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. 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. Casa Dragones, $70+, Most tequilas are aged in American oak, but Casa Noble is different. David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 Highlights: Mezcal made with sustainably cultivated agave by a company that is highly socially engaged. I want the Real Thing. Sophie Decobecq of 'Calle 23' said we use no additives and as for caramel "this is why our color is not consistent, which is why my last anejo batch is much clearer, and I am fine with this." The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time Founder Don Francisco changed the tequila process forever as he was the first person to cook agave in little ovens. 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 . Its aged in oak barrels for three weeks, and delicate notes of bright citrus, greens and pepper lead to a crisp and smooth finish. Siempre's blanco (plata) tequila was launched in 2015, and the reposado and aejo expressions arrived last year. Tequila Matchmaker is the only rating system smart enough to detect your personal preferences and match you with the tequilas that are right for you. 3. The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. The Aejo promises notes of vanilla, caramel, cacao, and butterscotch, while the agave takes a supporting role. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few . A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. 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. Do they have additives? Although this is perfectly legal, it is WRONG, and hopefully this will get cleared up soon on a future CRT ruling. Not flaunting rapper-sized bank accounts? 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. 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. Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. 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. This makes the Avila a great choice for solo sipping or mixing in cocktails. On Sale. 2- If quality and purity is your concern, as it is for me, go with brands that are known for NOT using additives, or don't seem to care about dark and rich consistent colors, and don't taste overly sweet, artificial, or unnaturally rich. Tequila Matchmaker You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . Sugar-based Syrup. Want to know more? Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila Brand Is Problematic - InStyle Essences or flavorings are still additives, and these can include vanilla or herbs used to alter or create a flavor. 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. 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. 2. Look for bottles labeled 100%, which denotes that it was made with 100% natural sugars from the agave plant. The citrusy, floral, mineral flavor profile of a blanco tequila complements the rich citrus flavor of a margarita, he explains. Additive-free tequilas do not require salt or lime to enjoy. These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. It has a smooth, even finish. Lalo is a great tequila blanco with no additives. He uses different distillation equipment and different agaves grown at different altitudes, as an alternative, and as long as you have the additional equipment, use your head, and not take the easy way out, this is a perfect solution instead of using additives. After speaking with these brands and tasting all the tequilas mentioned, the list below are brands that passed my own personal test, and taste 100% additive free. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. Besides margaritas, Roy shares these three delicious cocktails you can make with tequila: Related:15 Interesting Things to Mix With Tequila, From blanco to reposado to aejo, Patrn offers every type of tequila you could desire. Check Price. Although trusting people is always a gamble, we really do have some very knowledgeable contract-brand owners, that know exactly what is in their products, have integrity, and are way more involved than some others. The 14 Best Tequilas to Drink in 2023 - Liquor.com Although it can be hard to taste for sure as these people are pros, and can add them in strategically in a very subtle way, I will say that in my opinion you would be VERY surprised to know the huge percentage of brands that must be using some additive in their tequila. Each aging process will bring out different flavors in your tequila, and result in unique flavor profiles that often call to mind whiskey or scotch. This list is small now, but I hope to add more brands if it is warranted. These additives aren't illegal, per se. . When you taste too much vanilla, and we call that a 'vanilla bomb', that often means extra vanilla extract powder was added. 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. SB meets Tasha Iny, Mijenta Tequila - The Spirits Business Again it's YOU that decides this. 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. The legal requirement is at least 51% blue agave. I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. The brand founders wanted to recreate the sense of wanderlust experienced by the surfers in the movie. I respect people that want quality and are not cutting corners, and promise they will never use any additives. 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. Whether you want to sip on something smooth or just want to upgrade your Cinco de Mayo margarita, here are 15 tequilas you can buy online and get delivered to your door in time for your next happy hour, dinner or party. The tequila is made from 100 percent all-natural, fully matured Blue Weber agave artisanally produced without additives or diffusers. 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. 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. Don Julio 1942, specifically, is one of the most premium options from the brand (hence why it comes with a hefty price tag). Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . Thank you for your time and commitment. 27 Best Tequila Brands for Shots, Margaritas, Sipping - Parade The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. You can enjoy them neat, over ice or mixed into a cocktail. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. Plus, Revel offers a Reposado and an Aejo expression of the Avila, as well as the Blanco (linked below). Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. Best value tequila: Corralejo Reposado. 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. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Elegant and complex, on the nose you'll find sweet spice, elegant oak and . The Lowdown on Tequila Additives | TasteTequila El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) 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. All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis. 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. Its an easy-drinking bottle, ideal for upgraded cocktails (think, Aejo old fashioneds) or sipping on the rocks. Arandas, in the Jalisco mountains of Mexico, is home to Cazcabel. Best Tequilas 2023 - The Luxury Editor
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