Clase Azul, $137+, Casa Dragones is a small-batch tequila producer that crafts some of the smoothest tequilas on the market. 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. Additives - especially caramel coloring or oak extracts - are most commonly found in aged tequilas to boost a tequila's appearance. Smooth. Grover & Scarlet January 9, 2021 Blog. 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. 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. Another thing to look for aside: a four-digit number that represents each distillerys unique code. The majority of tequila does have additives. Shots are not the proper way to taste tequila. It will typically taste sweeter and more refreshing, with a smooth, silky finish. Aejo tequila can often be recognized by its rich, caramel color, and it must be aged for at least one year (though most are aged three years) to bear the Aejo name. Tired of Standing? 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. So keep in mind the above mentioned brands that 'claim' to be 100% additive free may be just that, and most are high quality and fine tasting brands that I enjoy myself. 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.". 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. SHOP NOW. 2009-2022, S2F Online, Inc. - Taste Tequila and Tequila Matchmaker are property of S2F Online, Inc. Now, the Red Rocker is throwing his hat back in the ring with Santo, a joint effort tequila brand with Guy Fieri. It has a smooth, even finish. I only start drinking Patron because of they were additive free. What you get is pure flavor thats perfect for sipping or adding to cocktails. 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/. Patrn Aejo Patrn Aejo is a carefully . In other words. to deceive us. Hi Keith. All of Casa Dragones tequilas are made in small batches using a sustainable production method. 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? There are . So what do people think about all these claims? A nice, simple tequila is useful to pour liberally than a more expensive Blanco tequila with a similar clean agave taste. 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. Popular Brands. We mention products that contain additives in our content, but were not going out of our way to promote them. While we may be used to drinking clear tequila, many expensive tequilas are more caramel in color, due to being aged in wooden barrels. Avoid flavored and colorful alcohol, which can contain additives, high fructose corn syrup (made from GMO corn), food coloring and more. This is just artificial flavor, and another trick being presented to the tequila drinking community. "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. These are some images taken during our additive free visits. 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. Simply pour a small amount of tequila into your palm, then rub it between your hands as you would hand sanitizer. 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. Everything is made in with 100% blue weber agave and is confirmed all-natural and additive-free for a tequila that goes down smooth and silky. Casamigos, $55+, The recipe for Tequila Cazadores was first developed way back in 1922 by a hardworking farmer in Arandas, Mexico. Each bottle is hand-crafted and hand-painted, so no two are alike, making Clase Azul a great gift idea as well. When we wrote the story we based that information on what CRT representatives were saying about the issue. Im really into making the greatest tequila in the world, says Hagar in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. Now confused. 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'. Taste: Ritual Zero-Proof's Tequila Alternative is golden in color, suggesting it's an alternative to reposado tequila. 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. Its an easy-drinking bottle, ideal for upgraded cocktails (think, Aejo old fashioneds) or sipping on the rocks. Essences or flavorings are still additives, and these can include vanilla or herbs used to alter or create a flavor. Are we assuming that tequilas on the additive free list are automatically not diffuser made as well? Break this one out for the most special of occasions. I mean its a decent app, I would just rather keep it all in TM. 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. Price at time of publish: from $29 for 750ml Bottle. 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. It has notes of vanilla, ripe fruit and butter and can be enjoyed neat, with salt and lime, chilled, or however else you like to drink your tequila. Jose Cuervo, Patrn, Don Julio, Casamigos and Hornitos are the top five tequilas, per The Spirits Business. 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 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. 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. 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. These tequilas are soft, well-rounded and easy to drink, says Roy. Thanks for leading the charge and creating transparency in the industry. Fortaleza Blanco, Reposado and Aejo are all fantastic sipping tequilas from the Los Valles region, says Lavenue. 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. All of Patrns tequilas are handcrafted in Jalisco, Mexico at Hacienda Patrn using the finest quality ingredients (no additives here!). CODIGO 1530. But that said, despite what . A sneaky trick is to 'flavor' additives, which some brands endeavor to cover up, by simply naming them 'essences'. We go into detail about that here: https://tastetequila.com/2017/the-lowdown-on-tequila-additives/. Each carefully harvested pia is steamed in an autoclave and fermented in steel tanks, resulting in beautifully clean tequila. JAJA is a small batch Tequila that is best enjoyed with friends and family. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time 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. Ritual Beverage Company is entering the tequila market. Codigo 1530 Barrel Strength Limited Bottling Anejo Tequila. An award-winning tequila, its aged for a minimum of two and a half years and produced in small batches. The tequila finishes with a little heat before going down smooth. 5 Types of Tequila. 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. These days, some of the best tequilas in the world are actually more comparable to a fine bourbon or robust glass of wine than jello shots and beer pong. Handcrafted using the richest Agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, JAJA Aejo's tasting notes consist of roasted coffee, dried fruit, and vanilla. 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. and whole industries have grown from this use of additives. This amazing additive-free liquid is produced using only the Espolon Blanco tequila honors Mexico's art and history, and the story of Espolon - the spur of a rooster - is great for starting conversations. 1800 Agavales Altos Avion Casa Noble Casamigos Cazul . So, what exactly should you consider when shopping for tequila? Syrup, or "jarabe", is a mixture of different ingredients, primarily for the purposes of creating a sweeter product. The tequila has a really smooth, sweet taste with notes of citrus, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and more to give it a unique tasting experience that I really enjoy. Tequila Cazadores,$23+, Tequila Ocho is my personal favorite brand, says Lavenue. Is there a list of the tequilas that have been tested are NOT additive-free? 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. 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. Please send us production information and photos of the bottle on a white background. 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. This tequila is great on its own or with a splash of soda. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. This isnt a surprise, given Jose Cuervo is an affordable, versatile tequila that you can find in just about any liquor store. Don't believe us? Needless to say, this is one of the more complex tequilas on our list making it one that aficionados will undoubtedly appreciate. Find which tequilas are right for you. 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. Comparing production samples at La Altea (NOM 1139). 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". However, it smells smoky like mezcal or charred wood, and there's a hint of that tequila agave scent. Thanks to investment and refinement from some pioneering brands, long gone are the days when Tequila was known only for its harsh palate. The Aejo variety is aged in American oak bourbon barrels for up to three years, which results in a nice blend of warm agave and oak flavors. "Bribon is a solid tequila for its price," says Fallon. Having a 2 tiered system, which would require that additives be declared to be used, would likely cause legal problems for us. 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. The big problem is that additives aren't required to be disclosed, although I believe they should be, even if it's 1%. We are founders of the Tequila Matchmaker app and website. It has greatly increased my enjoyment exploring tequila. Thanks, An undertone of sweet cooked agave recalls this tequilas fresh Blanco roots. Though we prefer El Bandido Yankee as a sipping tequila (it really is as criminally smooth as the brand says), the flavor has enough bite to make for some beautiful cocktails, too. After all, taste is a personal and a subjective thing, but I wonder as so many 'crossover' drinkers are coming to aged tequilas, if many of these consumers fail to recognize their preference is for the familiar and pleasant flavors associated with oak, and have no problem accepting this, even if it's artificially colored and flavored. Avion founder Ken Austin, said that Avion is 100% additive free, and cited the light color in the anejo. 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. Smooth and delicate, Cdigo 1530s Rosa Tequila makes for perfect after-work sipping, or used in a hand-crafted cocktail. This was our first super premium 100% Weber blue agave tequila, and it changed America's perceptions about tequila, he says. Made from 100% blue agave, Tequila Cazadores undergoes a seven-step sustainable, zero-waste production process that includes double distillation, double fermentation and careful maturation. Long Island Lou Tequila's Personal Additive - Free Favorites List. As much as I love Tequila Matchmaker, I sadly have to use Distiller for my mezcal. Top 5 Tequilas For No Hangover. The story you mention is from 2017: 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. So in the end I would say, do one of two things. Bribon Reposado Tequila. 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". 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 . I am totally independent & honest. Its fresh and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a hint of earthiness. Nathan. Grover, would you consider adding a score column to the list in the future? The more tequilas you taste and really scrutinize, the easier it gets to pick out additive flavorings. Bartenders love Cenote in a Paloma too, and the company responded by introducing the first-ever World Paloma Day last May. 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. Why? 1. 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. The result is a clean, smooth tequila. "We think it's 70% by sales volume last year, so there will always be fewer additive free-tequilas," Scarlet tells me. "Among agave experts, Fortaleza is one of the most revered brands in tequila. 1) No, some blancos definitely contain additives. If youre hosting a party or large gathering, youll want to stock up on bottles of Espoln. A lot of the brands on the list are not easily found in my area. I find that the extended barrel aging pulls out any astringent qualities that may have been in the originally distilled juice, making this the easiest to sip on its own., The best type of tequila for sipping is the one in which you can taste the complexity given by the best agave source, along with a good elaboration process, providing the smoothness and sweetness you can obtain from the agave, says Martinez. Plus, Revel offers a Reposado and an Aejo expression of the Avila, as well as the Blanco (linked below). Coloring and other additives usually go in after aging and before bottling. Whether you prefer blanco, reposado or aejo tequila, Hornitos has something for you in their robust lineup. Dano (yep, there's actually a Dano behind Dano's Dangerous Tequila) works with one of . 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." 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. This INCLUDES the legal 1% allowance, and I made that an important point to each brand. We are granted full access to all areas of the distillery, and have permission to take samples from any part of the process. This list is small now, but I hope to add more brands if it is warranted. Great to see many of my favorites have made the list! Looking forward to having this list on the app to access when shopping! I am excited to have this list in list forminstead of finding them individually on TMM app. I would say so, and it's up to your eyes and your pallet to decide. no headache-inducing fillers). This works as a great party idea too. 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 . 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'. 2. 1. Thank you so much for this list! The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time The popular Reposado goes from $150-$170 a bottle, and the Anejo is . Casa Noble is one of several organic-certified tequila brands, but that's not why it's good. ABV: 46.3%. who cares? Tom Sizemore, Heat and Saving Private Ryan Actor, Dead at 61 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. Adding additives and or color usually occurs towards the end of production before bottling, in the 'rectification'. What additives can you taste? There are three main types of tequila to choose from. 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. There are a handful of smooth, premium-tasting tequilas you can get for under $100 too. All we can do is taste ourselves, to the best of our ability, and to believe these brands. This is an unpretentious, no-nonsense tequila with nothing added, just 100% blue Weber agave. We can smell what The Rocks drinking, and its good! 13. Hi Josh. I contacted Jose Cuervo, Cazadores and Sauza to ask about any additives in their 100% agave tequilas to see what they'd say. 2. Two questions: The exceptionally smooth Blanco has a robust roasted agave taste and perfectly balanced finish that creates maximum sippability. Keep up the great work, I know I greatly enjoy the content. The bottles, meantime, are like a work of art, inspired by traditional Mexican colors and motifs. FERMENTATION: Stainless steel tanks, 100% agave, Open-air fermentation, Fermentation without fibers. You just need to know what to look for. 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 . ArteNOM 1579 - NOM's 1079, 1580, 1549, 1146, 1414, 1579, 1123. 9. 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. I just got your email today about your additive-free list and had to come check it out. 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. I didnt realize that the use of additives was such a thing in the tequila industry. Choose from blanco, reposado and aejo for sipping solo or creating incredible cocktails. Those too are permitted by Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council . ** There are some confusing rules in the NORMA that appear to allow the use of additives in a blanco. The brand founders wanted to recreate the sense of wanderlust experienced by the surfers in the movie. Now available! If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, tequila may be the better choice. I hope more brands/distilleries jump on this protocol. Tequila Gran Diamante is an award-winning, ultra-premium tequila that's stirring up excitement on the spirits scene. 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. The product is kosher, organic, and certified clean industry. 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. Siembra Azul Blanco is an exemplary tequila blanco from the highlands of Jalisco. 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. 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. Additives are allowed if they account for under 1% of the total liquid. They, and 14 other brands from that distillery, have requested our process. Pros. 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 for Mixto junk as well as 100% agave. Their tequilas are aged in toasted French oak for a refined and elegant flavor. Vivanco (NOM 1414) -7 brands. The caramel, vanilla and wood notes are strong, but thankfully the agave isn't lost in the aging. Instead, youll pick up a slightly drying, more astringent palette of black pepper, dried herbs, olives and citrus. Region of Origin: All tequila comes from the Tequila region of Mexico, and in order for a spirit to call itself tequila, it must be distilled from agave plants grown in that region. Brand founder Cirilo Oropeza named the brand Espoln, which means spur in Spanish, to honor his commitment to the tequila craft. Your email address will not be published. I like the app and web site very much, but may I suggest that you have a 2 tiered rating system: Their reposado and aejo tequilas are aged in ex-bourbon barrels for that smooth taste you know and love. If your bottle doesnt have a NOM, that means its not certified by the TRC (Tequila Regulatory Council), and not an authentic Tequila producer. I love your reviews? This brand is one of the top-shelf tequilas that are pure with no additives included. 1800 Cristalino 1800 Cristalino. I will need to check to see if our database needs to be updated to reflect that. Siempre's blanco (plata) tequila was launched in 2015, and the reposado and aejo expressions arrived last year. We are legit worried that the sweeter, more vanilla, candy-like additive products will change the publics idea of what a natural tequila is. The Tequila: I lean toward clean, unaged agave spirits for most of the year, however, spring is a nice time for reposado and aejo. Organic tequila usually means that the agaves used were grown organically. Extra aejo, meanwhile, is aged in American oak barrels for at least three years. Just mix 1.5 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Its less harsh on the tongue and wont give you as strong as a hangover provided that youre sipping responsibly of course. ABV/PROOF: 54% abv (108-proof) Confirmed Additive Free Tequila. 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.). One of the top-selling brands in the world (it clocks in at sixth! Another best-selling brand, Don Julio launched in 1942 and was named after Don Julio Gonzlez, the brand's first Jimador. A carefully handcrafted tequila produced in small batches, the Chamucos Blanco features notes of vanilla, citrus, cinnamon and fennel. 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'? We can do both, cant we? Or is there a separate list for non-diffuser made tequilas? 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. It's up to you all to decide what to believe, and although brands can tell me things, it doesn't mean I believe them or that it makes my personal list of additive free brands. The tequila is made from 100 percent all-natural, fully matured Blue Weber agave artisanally produced without additives or diffusers. Hes been in the tequila business for almost thirty years, starting out with the award-winning Cabo Wabo brand back in 1991. This was confirmed when producers directly told us (off the record) that they were making use of this confusion within the NORMA. The brand has been around since 1950. Jim Bob Morris and Chris Chelios, co-founders of the brand, wanted the natural deliciousness . Not clear on the response to Josh Ohlingerare all blancos additive-free, regardless of distillery? 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? August 4, 2021. 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. Espolns collection also includes a reposado, aejo, reposado chardonnay and aejo cristalino. Founded by three best friends in Canada, Siempre combines a unique flavor profile (think notes of pepper, sea salt/brine, sweet berries and candied citrus) with a traditional tequila making process using 100% agave. Cierto Tequila, a luxury portfolio of award-winning, 100% additive-free authentic tequilas, begins its U.S. rollout this month. In fact it was after I bought it that I even discovered tequila could have added sweeteners including things like aspartame and saccharin. ), just want to know what kind of additives they would use. Its a liquor made using 100% Weber Blue agave and a distillation process that combines techniques from both tequila and mezcal-making processes most importantly, smoking and steaming the agave.