best no additive tequila brands best no additive tequila brands

dried fruit, and vanilla. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. 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): Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? When you taste too much vanilla, and we call that a 'vanilla bomb', that often means extra vanilla extract powder was added. Tears of Llorona, $285, Sauza clocks in as the ninth best-selling tequila brand in the worldand for good reason. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. Use this form to receive email alerts of any changes to this list. 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. 1. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. Sure, tequila shots are fun at parties (and maybe gives you some liquid courage before stepping onto that karaoke stage), but artists rapping about shots of Patrn have really given tequila an undeservedly bad (and, ahem, cheap) rep. I even contacted ones that some people feel are definite abusers. Vivanco (NOM 1414) -7 brands. That gives the Rosa a subtle pink hue, and a sweet yet dry finish. Pick Up Some of These Gloves First, Tired of Standing? Codigo 1530 Barrel Strength Limited Bottling Anejo Tequila. Its like a fine wine thats been aged to perfection. Bartenders love Cenote in a Paloma too, and the company responded by introducing the first-ever World Paloma Day last May. I wish all things ingested would list ingredients. Additives - especially caramel coloring or oak extracts - are most commonly found in aged tequilas to boost a tequila's appearance. "Among agave experts, Fortaleza is one of the most revered brands in tequila. Dont be fooled by the gold label on gold 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. Thank you! The tequila brand is made for sipping, so put down the blender and limes and grab . Don Julio 1942, specifically, is one of the most premium options from the brand (hence why it comes with a hefty price tag). 100% Agave: Tequila comes from the agave plant, but not all tequilas are made with 100% agave sugar. Others gave similar statements, while others could have.. but would not. Thank you! 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. Remember they are saving time and money using them. 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. Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. 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." Any comment would be most welcome . ), just want to know what kind of additives they would use. This saddens me that this is all being done all in the name of profits vs integrity & honesty. Azunia, which is also made at Ranco Miravalle, NOM 1426, is additive free. I'd rather have the 'natural color' after aging, and blend it that way with the other batches, without ANY colorings. 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 . 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? 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. Their distillery (NOM 1480 Las Americas) has denied their request. (NOM 1579) [6 brands] Vivanco . The bottle, resembling an agave spear, is also eye-catching to display. They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. Or is there a separate list for non-diffuser made tequilas? 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. Now the additive list is also fantastic tool to recognize the brands that have a commitment to offering a true quality product. 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." Silver tequila is great to drink on its own, but its great for mixed drinks as well. 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. Again it's YOU that decides this. So in the end I would say, do one of two things. We sat down with Mijenta Tequila's UK brand ambassador, Tasha Iny, to discuss future launches, and why producers should steer clear of adding flavours. 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. Our propietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best matches for you. The brands Aejo expression begins with 100% blue weber agave, which is double distilled and then aged 18 months in ex-California wine barrels. We review which brands of tequilas are free of additives. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. $68 at Reserve Bar. Avion founder Ken Austin, said that Avion is 100% additive free, and cited the light color in the anejo. 1. Sugar-based Syrup. Related Have you heard anything from their distillery? The result is a clean, smooth tequila. 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). These Anti-Fatigue Mats Will Cushion and Support Your Feet. Maybe it's time brands realize we are fed up with additives, and overly sweetened tequila, which is sometimes referred to as "Americanized" Tequila, as well as fake coloring. The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. and is there an app you prefer for Mezcal? Thank you so much for this list! Silver (or Blanco) tequila is probably the most well-known, and it typically appears perfectly clear in the bottle. Our proprietary matching algorithm uses nine different characteristics to find the best . I just want to give you some statements and some brand names to explore. The more expressions I try, the more sensitive I become to artificial flavorings. Are tequilas marked organic additive free? The repo, aged in new barrels for 2-6 months, is closer to what you'd usually find in an aejo. Guillermo Erickson Sauza (Fortaleza), or Felipe or Carlos Camarena are easier to believe, when they say they are additive free. The idea: to create an ultra premium, ultra-smooth tequila at an accessible price point. Lalo is a great tequila blanco with no additives. Is it possible to get some of the additive free cards to display on the shelves of the certain tequilas in a store? 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. There are plenty of other websites, YouTube channels, Instagram and TikTok accounts that happily promote additive-filled tequila. 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. Thanks so much for this list and all your efforts to be able to share your research with us all. 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. Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . significant growth in bars and restaurants. So thats one of the big reasons why we decided to start up the verification program. Now available! The Aejo promises notes of vanilla, caramel, cacao, and butterscotch, while the agave takes a supporting role. Brand founder Cirilo Oropeza named the brand Espoln, which means spur in Spanish, to honor his commitment to the tequila craft. Photo credit: Courtesy. Pros. Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. You can even substitute the orange liqueur for agave nectar to make a . 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. Thank you for your rapid response, I love it. When 1% of total additives are used there is no requirement to tell the consumer, so I suppose for this reason, brands that put additives into their product will often make claims that they are not using any at all. Sometimes using french oak barrels may make you 'think' there are additives, because it can taster very sweet, even overly sweet. 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. Gran Coraminos tequilas are roasted in traditional stone ovens and barrel-aged. There wont be any need to link to this version of the list. A nice touch: the hand-blown glass bottle, which is topped with a hand-painted agave pia and vintage-inspired label. Tequila Matchmaker There's a tequila for everyone. Sometimes youll see blanco tequila referred to as silver tequila. Do you have any plans to verify if Don Julio is additive-free? Comparing the difference between a retail bottle and testigo sample. 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. Produced in the heart of Tequila, Mexico, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila packs a quality punch with notes of citrus, olives, and black pepper. This unique process creates a flavor profile thats both familiar and brand-new: Its light and fresh like great tequila, but also has a hint of the smokiness we look for with mezcal. You can enjoy them neat, over ice or mixed into a cocktail. Pure agave tequila is low in sugar, has no carbohydrates, and (minus sugary juice mixers) is fairly low-calorie, too. 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. View more. W/ additives. 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 brand offers blanco, reposado and aejo varieties as well as pre-made margaritas, mixes and canned cocktails. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa . Good stuff!! View On Drizly View On Caskers. 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." This is fantastic information and your website is an unbelievable resource, which I greatly appreciate. Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more. 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. Siempre's blanco (plata) tequila was launched in 2015, and the reposado and aejo expressions arrived last year. These tequilas are soft, well-rounded and easy to drink, says Roy. Blancos are also usually cheaper. Its an easy-drinking bottle, ideal for upgraded cocktails (think, Aejo old fashioneds) or sipping on the rocks. Hiatus has three award-winning expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and Aejo. (ICYMI, Hornitos means "little ovens" in Spanish!) This is most pronounced with the Rosa, which spends a month in un-charred Napa Valley Cabernet French white oak barrels, giving it a beautiful pink hue and notes of ripe fruit and cherry on the . Casa Noble Blanco is a tequila brand that uses local agave, particularly estate-grown agave. Casamigos, $55+, The recipe for Tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico. Fortaleza Blanco. I respect people that want quality and are not cutting corners, and promise they will never use any additives. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well. Siempres blanco tequila is deceptively simple clean and crisp to start, with a floral and complex finish. So who knows what a distillery may do to 'enhance' a contract brands juice, for their own convenience. :-). Zarpado Tequila Blanco. Bartenders and master distillers reveal 27 of the best tequila brands to buy. Nobu AND QUI Tequila Launch Nobu Rare 2008 Reserve. Send to: tequilamatchmaker@gmail.com. Im just hell-bent, and Guys got the same passion.. We later learned that additives were indeed being used in blanco tequilas and that a loophole in the NORMA made this possible. Editors picks 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.". When El Bandido Yankee Tequila founders made the decision to delve into the rich and storied world of handcrafted tequila, they knew one thing for certain: Their tequila would be authentically crafted the right way with zero additives. 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. ABV: 46.3%. 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. Casa Noble, $45+, Theres a reason why this is the best-selling tequila in the world. It quickly became a staple then and is a mainstay still today. There are a handful of smooth, premium-tasting tequilas you can get for under $100 too. In some parts of the world they are. 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. Also be on the lookout for Santos excellent Blanco and Reposado tequilas. I just dont see us going there, even if we come off as snobby or elitist. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. 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? 1- either stick with a producer who makes aged tequilas to YOUR liking, regardless if it's heavy caramel, vanilla, overly smooth and overly sweet, very dark and rich, oily and very oaky without caring if they are obviously manipulated or not. Read Full Article. 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. Let's discuss it. Enjoying catching up on your videos and love the passion you two have to this wonderful juice! Discover the Best of New York Wines with Hermann J Wiemer at Aroma Thyme Bistro. 1. Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. Ritual Beverage Company is entering the tequila market. Are they true, who can you believe? We want to hear it. This is for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. "And nobody is hitting the . 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. 21Seeds Tequila, $31+. 2. Several factors come into play at each stage of this process, but at the very least, for a tequila to be great, it must be all agave, with no additives. Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. " 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%. Our program exists to give a third-party layer of assurance. Best tequila overall: Tequila Ocho Plata La Caada 2022. Aging Process: Just like a fine wine, tequila also goes through an aging process. And legend has it, the first margarita ever made featured Jose Cuervo. The story you mention is from 2017: . This is one tequila brand youll want to display prominently on your bar cartand savor every last drop of! 13. I do enjoy Clasa Azul which is made by Productos Finos de Agave, I believe. Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. 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. 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. Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. 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. This micro-distillery produces premium tequila, inspired by the legend of a medicine man known as Don Cazcabel. There are four total categories of additives according to the Consejo Regulador . There are some outstanding tequilas that have flavor added, and I would like to see reviews, ratings and discussion on them as well. . 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. 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. August 4, 2021. From blanco to reposado to aejo, all of Mijentas tequilas are produced with the utmost care for exceptional flavor. At the time, that was enough for us. Because of how time-consuming it is to create (and how hands-on the distilling and aging processes are), its released in very small batches and comes with a large price tagbut the excellent taste makes it worth the splurge! Herradura got back to me saying that they're 100% additive free including their El Jimador line of products. Reposado means rested in Spanish. This crystal-clear . This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. 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. 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? Will you add a quick link to this list on your app so it is readily viewed there? When it comes to celebrity tequila brands (or just premium tequila, for that matter), rock and roll legend Sammy Hagar is the original. Fortaleza Blanco Tequila. If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, tequila may be the better choice. 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.. Thanks to investment and refinement from some pioneering brands, long gone are the days when Tequila was known only for its harsh palate. What does YOUR nose and taste tell YOU? do you agree with these brands? Servidumbre De Paso a Las Agujas 4SO , Col. Las Agujas , Zaropan Jalisco CP 4S200 . Often it is to 'balance' the batches in appearance, so they are the same color before blending. Both tequilas are smooth, complex and crafted from hand-selected pias that are harvested at peak maturity. The majority of tequila does have additives. El EZ E, Im also a fan of the Kirkland Anejo. Its less harsh on the tongue and wont give you as strong as a hangover provided that youre sipping responsibly of course. Do they have additives? What additives can you taste? "We think it's 70% by sales volume last year, so there will always be fewer additive free-tequilas," Scarlet tells me. The distillery is steeped in a rich history, tracing its . All of Casa Dragones tequilas are made in small batches using a sustainable production method. 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. They offer three classic options: blanco, reposado and aejo. 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. The more tequilas you taste and really scrutinize, the easier it gets to pick out additive flavorings. Those too are permitted by Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council . Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. What Features Should You Look for in Tequila? The pictures ABOVE and BELOW are courtesy of Grover Sanschagrin of 'Taste Tequila' whose excellent recent Video/Report is linked HERE- http://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. The margarita has always held a place in our hearts as an excellent sunny-day drinkmainly because it's refreshing and super simple to make. Do you have plans or know of any plans to do something similar with Agave Spirits? All of Cincoros tequilas are made with 100% Weber blue agave from private farms in Jalisco, Mexico and are produced in small batches. There are brands that have actually admitted to me that they use coloring to match each 'batch', so as to keep consistency between runs. . Pick Up Some of These Gloves First 6. .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. Thanks, 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. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. No Additives. Jose Cuervo . So when a brand says "we are 100% additive free" there is no way you can prove it. Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. 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. Keep in mind I only mention brands that make rested and aged expressions that I have personally tasted. Although not technically tequila, Revels Avila should be on every tequila and mezcal fans radar. 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.) 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. Theyre one of the most affordable tequila brands and offer silver, gold and aejo varieties to suit any taste. In the world of spirits, tequila is currently having a moment.