I only start drinking Patron because of they were additive free. View On Drizly View On Caskers. This works as a great party idea too. Espoln Tequila, $32+, Funnyman Kevin Hart teamed up with Juan Domingo Beckmann, an 11th-generation tequila maker, to create Gran Coramino. Hes been in the tequila business for almost thirty years, starting out with the award-winning Cabo Wabo brand back in 1991. Dano (yep, there's actually a Dano behind Dano's Dangerous Tequila) works with one of . As I asked for their word on 100% additive free (including the legal 1%), let it be understood that misleading consumers is as far as I'm concerned, a reflection on these brands, and THEY are the ones that should look bad. What they probably say to themselves is, 'we don't exceed the 1% rule, so there is no need to discuss this at all', and as far as they are concerned .they are NOT using additives. and whole industries have grown from this use of additives. The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. I wish something like this was posted in stores. Patrn Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) [2 brands] El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) In fact, the brand is named for the breathtaking underground water systems that are unique to this region. While some tequilas make us pucker, or burn the inside of our mouths and throats, Cenotes Blanco Tequila is light, mellow and refreshing. The reason caramel coloring is used, is to add a rich and darker color to make it appear that the aging was longer than it actually was. The tech side is easy, the admin side is not! You have to train yourself to make an educated decision. Unless the distillery owns the brand, the brand may have no definite idea what's in their bottle, and they have no choice but to trust the distillery. The popularity of tequila has exploded in recent years, and as the spirit has evolved, so, too, has the number of brands on the market. Jose Cuervo . https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. Want to know more? One of the smoothest, most natural tasting tequilas on our list, Casamigos is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100% agave. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . The . On Sale. "We think it's 70% by sales volume last year, so there will always be fewer additive free-tequilas," Scarlet tells me. We dont have much production information on this product either. Whether youre at an A-list after party or just chilling at home, nothing beats a Casamigos and soda for a refreshing, celeb-approved drink. Think of this as the cognac of tequila best for sipping neat, or with an ice cube. And legend has it, the first margarita ever made featured Jose Cuervo. Types of Tequila: Just like whiskey, there are different types of tequila, that run the spectrum in terms of flavor, color and potency. 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. Bribon Reposado Tequila. 1. We are Grover and Scarlet, tequila fans who just cant seem to get enough of tequila. In other words. to deceive us. I'd rather have the 'natural color' after aging, and blend it that way with the other batches, without ANY colorings. Long Island Lou Tequila's Personal Additive - Free Favorites List, ArteNOM 1579- NOM's 1079, 1580, 1549, 1146, 1414, 1579, 1123, Patron - NOM 1492-(no additives but "Americanized"). The product is kosher, organic, and certified clean industry. Santaleza Tequila will be sold in the United States, with the . I will need to check to see if our database needs to be updated to reflect that. . who cares? Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. The additive-free spirit retails for $125.99 and is currently available for presale on ReserveBar. Brands aren't required to put additives on the label, and even 100 percent agave tequilas commonly use them. Love my Cimarron. 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. Drink experts agree tequila is best had in cocktails or by slowly sipping so you can enjoy the complexity of the spirit. Now confused. Good, clean fun: Organic tequila is the Best Tequila. 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. Why mess with a good thing? You can use the form (below) to subscribe to email alerts any time this list changes. If you're still going for corn-based alcohols (not just whiskey, bourbon and rye, but some gins and vodkas, too), pick ones made with non-GMO corn. Organic tequila usually means that the agaves used were grown organically. For everyone else, the regular (but still beautifully bottled) Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Anejo is available online starting from $159. STILL: Copper Pot. Martinez adds that a reposado tequila can also work well in a margarita. Drink brands from Europe where GMOs are (nearly) banned. 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. 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. 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. Thanks so much for this list and all your efforts to be able to share your research with us all. I am very happy I found this website and this list. 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'. ** There are some confusing rules in the NORMA that appear to allow the use of additives in a blanco. Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. DO NOT get fooled by the 1% rule, as this may not sound like a lot, BUT IT IS!! Any comment would be most welcome . I think this is the most important thing with tequilaat least the tequila that I want to drink. Cenote makes a super drinkable tequila thats flavorful without overwhelming the palette. The best tequilas in 2023. Clooney, and co-founder Rande Gerber, say they wanted to make, the best-tasting, smoothest tequila that didnt have to be covered up with salt or lime.. Meeting the organic certification requirements of two separate regulating bodies isn't easy, and we take tremendous pride in it. The brand offers a blanco, reposado, aejo, aejo cristalino and extra aejo in its lineupand they recently released a limited edition reposado to celebrate their 100th birthday. Related Hi Luis. 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." Its affordable, accessible and goes down easy. Casa Del Sol. This tequila gets its name from the year of its creation, so yeah, you've got a spirit with a more than 200-year history. 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. I so much appreciate the app and have let it assist in guiding my agave journey! 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'. All that aside, the tequila is good, made using traditional methods with no additives, according to the brand. " 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%. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa Noble Casamigos Cazul . SHOP NOW. 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." Whats inside the decanters is pretty neat too: Clase Azul offers a variety of top-notch tequilas, including reposado, aejo and gold varieties. The 'jarabe' can also contain natural fruits and herbs to add even more aromas and flavors, too. 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. Inspections are done on-site and can last from a few . I want to stay away from additives. Bell Flavors & Fragrances (above) and Symrise Flavorings are just two companies supplying these additives. El EZ E, Im also a fan of the Kirkland Anejo. Thank you for your rapid response, I love it. Youve also probably seen flavored tequila, which is tequila infused with things like coconut, lime, strawberry or jalapeno. Is there something that taste like theirs which is better for you? 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. Dont be fooled by the gold label on gold tequila. This is a terribly misleading and sneaky trick, but sadlya legal practice. 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. "And nobody is hitting the . A nice, simple tequila is useful to pour liberally than a more expensive Blanco tequila with a similar clean agave taste. I don't agree, but if that's true, people need to start thinking differently. El Jimador, $21+, This award-winning, additive-free, sustainable tequila brand is the only one to earn B Corp certification. There are enough seats at the bar for everyone! 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. A small sip reveals aromas of roasted agave with woody notes, before the tequila opens up with hints of caramel, coconut and oak. Clase Azul, $137+, Casa Dragones is a small-batch tequila producer that crafts some of the smoothest tequilas on the market. 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. Try it again and think diet Pepsi and tell me you cant taste the artificial sweeteners. Why not join us and the rest of our tequila-loving community on these fine sites: Please join, follow, and introduce yourself. We can do both, cant we? Jose Cuervo, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. Want to upgrade your bar cart, but not sure where to start? Keep in mind that technically, if you exceed the 1% total volume rule, it must be labeled as a 'licor' or a 'crema', like these (ABOVE), and that's the way it should be. El Jimador Tequila Silver is the best Blanco tequila for making mixed drinks. This is just artificial flavor, and another trick being presented to the tequila drinking community. I want to teach others what I know about ALL Agave spirits, keeping it simple and fun! 5 Types of Tequila. 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. 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. . Thank you for all the info. 40% alcohol by volume in tequila is typical. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) These distilleries are: Patron Tequila (NOM 1492) Tequila Fortaleza (NOM 1493) -2 brands. 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. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. Blanco tequila is the ideal choice for margaritas, says Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzlez, co-founder and master distiller of LALO Tequila and grandson of Don Julio Gonzlez of the iconic Don Julio tequila brand. Are they true, who can you believe? The big problem is that additives aren't required to be disclosed, although I believe they should be, even if it's 1%. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. Break this one out for the most special of occasions. 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. Now the additive list is also fantastic tool to recognize the brands that have a commitment to offering a true quality product. 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. 4. Bartenders love Cenote in a Paloma too, and the company responded by introducing the first-ever World Paloma Day last May. Each batch is distilled for a minimum of two months in stainless steel barrels, and delivers a nice mix of sweet agave, light citrus and just a hint of vanilla. The rosado tequila is positioned as a daytime-friendly reposado, providing a high-quality option for afternoon sipping. Check Price. This year's offering of . 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. Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. Editors picks 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. Although this is perfectly legal, it is WRONG, and hopefully this will get cleared up soon on a future CRT ruling. Sauza, $20+, Cenote is an ultra-premium tequila inspired by the beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula. Casamigos is a favorite among the Hollywood crowd, thanks to its co-founder George Clooney, but its actually got a lot of substance to go with its style. No Additives. We're starting to expect this in our food, why shouldn't we expect this in our spirits? DISTILLATION: 2x distilled. Thanks for a complete list and for clarifying about Blancos and the NOM loophole, as well as everything else you do. Best tequila blanco: Siembra Azul Blanco. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. 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. We cant release that type of information without the risk of a lawsuit. Vandoliers Play Tennessee Concert in Dresses to Protest State's New Drag Bill Looking to Start Boxing After Watching 'Creed III'? Then next sip I thought, wow, I cant believe how sweet this is 3rd sip and I was getting that aftertaste and I was like this stuff is too damn sweet, it tastes like artificial sweeteners, but thats impossible. In fact, the grandson of founder Don Felipe Camarena oversees production today. One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! Photo credit: Courtesy. Patrn Aejo Patrn Aejo is a carefully . I'm a Tequila/Agave Connoisseur, Taster & Reviewer from Long Island, NY. I didnt realize that the use of additives was such a thing in the tequila industry. I will go from this list next time I am picking a tequila to taste and buy. So excited to confidently try some expressions that are verified free of additives. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well. I respect people that want quality and are not cutting corners, and promise they will never use any additives. 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. This is fantastic information and your website is an unbelievable resource, which I greatly appreciate. Whether you prefer blanco, reposado or aejo tequila, Hornitos has something for you in their robust lineup. 9 Things You Should Know About 818 Tequila. They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. Are tequilas marked organic additive free? Tom Sizemore, Heat and Saving Private Ryan Actor, Dead at 61 When will the list be available on the app? Reuters There is a "proper" way and no, it's not in a shot. The popular Reposado goes from $150-$170 a bottle, and the Anejo is . 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. Also, no, you cannot assume that if a distillery is verified it means that all of their products are additive-free. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. With most quality brands, especially ones in which the distillery owns, you may not have to worry as much about this next practice. 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 . Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. 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. I'm told that some distilleries will use additives because it's cheaper and faster to get things done, and who's to say if this is with or without the owners knowledge? 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. Thank you! ok, but your 2018 post titled The Lowdown on Tequila Additives stated that was banned by the norma . Comparing production samples at La Altea (NOM 1139). This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. 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? David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 Will you add a quick link to this list on your app so it is readily viewed there? Keep up the great work, I know I greatly enjoy the content. Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. Reposado tequila is also aged but the aging process can be anywhere from two months to 11 months. The result is a clean, smooth tequila. Best Value: Pueblo Viejo Blanco. You rock, Grover and Scarlet! (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . Hard to believe, but I'm told it's very possible. Each tequila has its own "flavor fingerprint," and each person has his or her own flavor preferences. Let's learn about Brands & Agave Spirits on FB, Instagram, and YouTube. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Patron shares a list of distilleries, some of which produce multiple brands of tequila according to their NOM, which have been accredited as verified without additives. 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. Now available! Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. I just want to give you some statements and some brand names to explore. 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. The more tequilas you taste and really scrutinize, the easier it gets to pick out additive flavorings. Eduardo Orendain of 'Arette' said "we are 100% additive free, and we don't use caramel and yes we do have color consistency problems because of this, where some batches are lighter or darker than others." Answers: Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Reposado's tasting notes consist of sweet maple, cooked agave, and toasted wood. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. 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. The brand offers blanco, reposado and aejo varieties as well as pre-made margaritas, mixes and canned cocktails. However, section 6.1.1.1 states that the products defined in 5 sections, including 4.36.1, allows for edulcorantes, colorantes, aromatizantes y/o saborizantes permitidos por la Secretara de Salud (sweeteners, coloring, aromas and flavors allowed by the Health Secretary.). The compounds have a purpose and can correct any irregularities to make sure a brand makes the same tasting tequila time after time, but additives can also flatten tequila's natural flavors or add an unnatural sweetness. 6. Great to see many of my favorites have made the list! Have you heard anything from their distillery? An incredible effort here! We can smell what The Rocks drinking, and its good! 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 . They could contain additives and still be considered organic.. 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. They were. 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. (NOM 1579) -6 marks. Its aged in a sequence of Islay Scotch, Spanish brandy and Spanish sherry oak barrels for five years before being blended by the brands master distiller. Total Wine. 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. Our suggestion: pick up a few different bottles with different aging processes to see which one you like best. 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." El Jimador Tequila Silver Price: $16-$30. 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. Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. 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. It also tells you which tequila producer it comes from. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time It's also free of common allergens. Siempre. 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. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. 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. A complete one stop tequila review app/web site. Country singer George Strait is an investor in the brand, and even wrote a song inspired by the tequila (aptly named Codigo) off his 2019 album, Honkey Tonk Time Machine.. March 3, 2023 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. While we may be used to drinking clear tequila, many expensive tequilas are more caramel in color, due to being aged in wooden barrels. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. Others gave similar statements, while others could have.. but would not. The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . Another thing to look for aside: a four-digit number that represents each distillerys unique code. Tasha . 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. A final proprietary filtration process gives the cristalino the sparkling crystal-clear appearance from which it gets its name. There are plenty of other websites, YouTube channels, Instagram and TikTok accounts that happily promote additive-filled tequila. When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. 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. I say keep it pure and natural. I couldnt even drink it in Margaritas. . JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. A colleague introduced me to a Kirkland brand Tequila Anejo at Costco 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. View more. Sip this tequila, from the "house of the sun," in Spanish. 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. 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. Don Julio. Also be on the lookout for Santo's excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Aging Process: Just like a fine wine, tequila also goes through an aging process. Don't believe us? So, what exactly should you consider when shopping for tequila? 2) Both Pasote and El Tesoro de Don Felipe are additive free in their entire lineup. Enjoying catching up on your videos and love the passion you two have to this wonderful juice! 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." Updates include when brands are added, removed, expired or renewed. This tequila is from a distillery in the Jalisco, Mexico region featuring an ABV of 40%. Just wondering how I can tell is a brand that is not on your list is or is not additive free. According to 'THEM', these brands are 100% ADDITIVE FREE. El Pandillo (G4, Terralta, etc.) I have been told that unless you get to see the CRT production logs, you'll never know if they have additives, and brands don't even have access to that information, it's something that only the distillery has.
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