Excessive-proof tequilas, as soon as just for hardcore drinkers, are actually being launched at a gradual tempo. Why? Based on some drinkers, they signify the most effective that agave may give us with pronounced aromas and flavors and a thick, oily mouthfeel.
A pair months in the past, we determined to pick out the most effective of them for a blind tasting experiment. Since then three extra have been launched. Which means that there are many merchandise now out there for shoppers who love an enormous punch of taste.
The primary high-proof tequila, so far as we are able to inform, was Don Fulano Fuerte, launched in 2002 at 50% abv (100-proof). Then, in 2013, Tapatio 110 landed within the USA, instantly setting a excessive bar for still-strength tequilas. We now have 92 high-proof blancos in our database.
With so many choices, which of them deserve your consideration? To search out out, we chosen the 20 greatest which can be (or will probably be) out there for buy, and performed a blind style take a look at with 34 members of the Tequila Matchmaker Tasting Panel.
This time, we did one thing completely different. We separated the Panel into two teams: half of them aficionados and half bartenders. As a bunch, bartenders appear to like high-proof spirits, so we thought it might be nice to incorporate their views. It’s value noting, nonetheless, that bartenders are troublesome to impress and have a tendency to fee samples a mean of 10 factors decrease than different teams, in response to our information.
We’ve additionally observed that bartenders have a tendency to understand tequilas which have pronounced and distinct personalities, most probably as a result of it offers them one thing fascinating to make use of as a cocktail ingredient, and makes for some good conversations throughout the bar, creating experiences with their visitors.
We break up the tasting evenly into two classes: “Excessive-Proof Tequilas” and “Nonetheless Power Tequilas”.
What’s the distinction?
Listed below are the outcomes by class, and general:
Siembra Valles Excessive Proof Tahona
(49.5% abv) There isn’t any shock right here! A tahona-made, high-proof blanco from the Tequila Cascahuín distillery (NOM 1123), fermented with fiber, and rested in glass, is just about assured to make any tequila geek blissful. Aficionados scored it in 1st place, and bartenders weren’t far behind, awarding it 2nd place general.
“Candy baked agave nostril with not loads of obvious alcohol, this smells like an oven simply after opening,” mentioned one aficionado.
“Earth on the nostril. On the palate too. I like this,” mentioned one bartender.
“Total this can be a strong tequila I can see myself going again to usually,” mentioned one aficionado, who scored it an 84.
Aromas and flavors discovered: Candy cooked agave, minerals, tropical fruit, baking spices, grass, chamomile, melon, banana, with a peppery end.
Worth:
Trujillo Manifiesto 56
(46.3% abv) Right here’s one thing new from a model new distillery, Tequileria Trujillo (NOM 1634), positioned in Capilla de Guadalupe, Jalisco. This particular undertaking was made to honor the Trujillo household’s 56 years as agave farmers.
Agaves are cooked in brick ovens for 36 hours, then crushed in a tahona, spontaneously fermented, after which distilled with agave fibers and rested for six months in chrome steel tanks.
Aficionados ranked it in 1st place (tied with Siembra Valles Tahona), and bartenders awarded it third place.
“Very expressive. Like cologne,” mentioned one bartender who scored it a 93. “Deep agave and earth. Inexperienced pepper. I really like the depth. Vanilla, however not candied. Roasted agave. A bit of mint. Cinnamon. Glorious.”
“Mellow entry with pure sweetness and an depth of taste that builds to a pleasant full mouth-involved end. Excellent of the ten supplied samples,”mentioned one aficionado.
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Anise, earth, butterscotch, honey, lemongrass, with floral undertones.
This tequila needs to be out there for buy within the USA in early January, 2025.
Worth:
Misplaced Lore Blanco Excessive Proof
(49% abv) There’s been loads of chatter amongst aficionados about this tequila, so we determined to place it into the lineup to see if bartenders felt the identical manner, they usually did!
Aficionados scored it in third place, whereas bartenders had been shut behind, placing it in 4th.
It’s made on the Vivanco distillery (NOM 1414) utilizing brick ovens, a curler mill, open air chrome steel tank fermentation with champagne yeast, and classical music, then distilled in copper pot stills.
“Barely smoky on the nostril,” mentioned one bartender. “Inexperienced pepper. Virtually creamy, like avocado.”
This tequila is “candy on entry with a ton of roasted agave and a few kick from the 46% plus ABV [with a] strong end,” mentioned one aficionado, who scored it an 85.
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Vegetable notes, fruit, crimson apple, figs, citrus, bell pepper, melon, minerals.
Worth:
Alto Canto Blanco Excessive Proof
(48% abv) We’ve been patiently ready for this product to turn out to be out there, and now it’s! The distillery, Tequila El Rocio (NOM 1636), is a brand new and tiny place located at 9,000 toes above sea stage in Valle de Juárez, Jalisco. It has small brick ovens, a tahona, wooden fermentation tanks, and a couple of small copper pot stills. They produce a single model.
Being at such excessive altitude, the fermentation takes longer as a result of the air is cooler, and that is the rationale why its aroma and taste profile is so completely different from the others. True to our observations about bartenders, this tequila has a special and distinct character, so it’s straightforward to see why they scored it in 1st place, whereas aficionados awarded it with sixth place.
“Very fascinating nostril with loads of depth,” mentioned one aficionado, who scored it a 90. “Cooked agave with some floral and bubblegum notes, balanced out with a malolactic-ish funk. Cool! On at the present time, this can be a massive sure for me.”
“The aroma right here is fruity, and insanely evocative,” mentioned one bartender. “Not too sizzling on the end. Vanilla depth. Glorious.”
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Melon, cheese and lactic notes, black tea, olive, licorice, grass/hay, anise, with a velvety end.
Worth:
Tequila G4 Blanco 108
(54% abv) No high-proof lineup could be full with out at the least one El Pandillo (NOM 1579) product, and the G4 Blanco 108 has been getting loads of consideration from hardcore tequila followers.
Aficionados ranked it 4th, and bartenders put it in a sixth place tie with Don Fulano Fuerte (under).
“That is an agave bomb on the nostril together with some earth. Nice pure sweetness on entry,” mentioned one aficionado.
“Mama! This one is nice! Introduced [everything] to the plate right here,” mentioned one other aficionado. “Creamy, spicy, minerality and melon on the end.”
Manufacturing particulars: Mature agave cooked in a brick oven, extraction through mechanical tahona. The water supply is a mix of pure spring and rain water. Fermentation in open air chrome steel tanks, with out fibers, and twice distilled in copper pots.
Different aromas and flavors discovered embrace olives, minerals, anise, and candy pepper.
Costs:
Don Fulano Blanco Fuerte
(50% abv) THE unique excessive proof grabbed tasters senses with its cinnamon, crimson sizzling aroma, spice notes and oily texture. Made within the Tequila Valley at La Tequileña (NOM 1146) by Sergio Mendoza, it’s identified for its scrumptious taste and slight malo-lactic funk, due to lengthy fermentation and a cautious mixing of batches that concerned completely different manufacturing processes.
Inserting this within the lineup was obligatory for us, not simply because it was the primary excessive proof ever launched (manner again in 2002!), however as a result of we drink a lot of it at house.
The aroma and taste profile is a showcase for all that’s potential in tequila manufacturing, and it has great depth and complexity, all whereas being clear and simple to drink.
Aromas and flavors discovered: Candy cooked agave, funky/cheese, minerals, moist stone, natural, white pepper, pepper, butter, anise, cinnamon, bittersweet grapefruit, brine, walnut, hay, molasses, and pepper.
“This tequila confirmed as much as do its job as we speak. Other than the cinnamon spice on the palate (which is beautiful) I’m simply getting a strong vibe from this,” mentioned one bartender.
“Tremendous memorable general. Possibly not my fave on a regular basis HP however in the best setting it’s A+++,” mentioned one aficionado who scored it an 89.
Costs:
Alma del Jaguar Nocturna
(50.5% abv) That is one other excessive proof from the Vivanco distillery (NOM 1414), however with this manufacturing there are some key variations. Fermentation was performed with fibers and wild yeast, and agave fibers had been additionally added to the pot stills. This might be the rationale why this profile is so completely different from the Misplaced Lore product (above), despite the fact that they arrive from the identical distillery.
Let this function proof that not all merchandise that come from a distillery are the identical!
Apparently, there was an enormous discrepancy between aficionados, who scored it in fifth place, and bartenders, who ranked it ninth.
“Good aromas, beginning with agave, adopted by honey, grapefruit, mint, vegetal (notes) and pepper,” mentioned one aficionado, who scored it an 87. “Style is precisely just like the nostril.”
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Lime, moist cement, jasmine, white peach, earth, anise, citrus, cooked agave, floral, pepper, wintergreen mint, vanilla.
Worth:
El Viejito Plata 50
(50% abv) This model has been a Mexico-only product till it began showing within the US simply this yr. It’s made on the El Viejito distillery (NOM 1107) in Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, which additionally makes the Santo Fino model.
El Viejito merchandise are typically clear, crisp, and inexpensive, which is what made them common in Mexico. In reality, this tequila scored the most factors for worth than every other within the 2 lineups mixed, with a mean 8.47/10.
The manufacturing particulars are conventional: brick oven cooking, curler mill extraction, and fermentation with out fibers and in closed chrome steel tanks, and distilled in a hybrid chrome steel/copper pot nonetheless.
“Aroma has a readability that I actually get pleasure from. There’s a brightness right here that’s alluring. Palate is vibrant and dynamic,” mentioned one bartender.
“Butterscotch nostril with some floral agave. Candy agave and mineral style,” mentioned one aficionado who scored it a 90.
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Celery, white pepper, white almond, vegetal (notes), brine, delicate yeast, a touch of chocolate, fruit, butter, and toast.
Worth:
Mijenta Blanco Maestra Choice No. 1
(50% abv) It is a very particular high-proof, comprised of agaves grown from seed (the primary of its sort to take action), and it is filled with refined flavors. Frankly, we’re stunned that extra tasters didn’t rating it larger, and initially thought it might be among the many high scoring tequilas.
Our personal tasting of it reveals a stunningly advanced set of aromas and flavors, setting itself other than the remainder. When you already know forward of time that this was comprised of seed-grown agave, all of it is smart. However wouldn’t it maintain up in a blind tasting?
Like all high-proofs, it does greatest after it has opened up within the glass and may totally specific itself. Grasp Distiller Ana Maria Romero is understood for her layered complexity, versus the punch of taste that some high-proof drinkers count on.
One constant statement among the many raters was how full and thick that is within the mouth, which is one in all Ana Maria’s specialties.
Bartenders ranked it in fifth place, whereas aficionados put it in ninth.
This restricted version bottle is a bit of historical past, and needs to be skilled by all severe tequila followers.
“Beautiful notes of cinnamon and never what I used to be anticipating from the nostril. Very previous fashion tequila end, as effectively. Distinctive, I preferred it,” commented one bartender who rated it an 88.
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Wheatgrass, bell pepper, pine needles, slate, floral, citrus, fig, mint, anise, agave, and minerals.
Worth:
Almatitán Tequila Alma Plata
(48% abv) This tequila, made on the newly-built “La Roca” distillery (NOM 1646) in Amatitan, run by Álvaro Montes, one of many brothers from the well-known Las Americas distillery (NOM 1480) on the opposite aspect of city.
The standard course of used for this product entails cooking in a brick oven, fermenting in chrome steel tanks and distilled in a copper pot nonetheless. Although it’s utilizing a conventional course of, it appears to have divided our tasters with its malo-lactic aromas.
There was a full 11 level unfold in rankings between the 2 teams. Bartenders scored it in tenth place, and aficionados ranked it in ninth.
“A cool malolactic nostril, not like any of the opposite samples,” one aficionado commented.
Nonetheless, others praised its complexity.
“This excessive proof blanco has a LOT of vibrant/crisp taste that pops with agave and anise sweetness whereas being properly balanced with the peppermint and cinnamon spicy notes throughout to the end,” one taster mentioned.
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Mushroom, parmesan cheese, grass, clay, and honeydew melon.
Worth:
Santo Fino Blanco 110
(55% abv) This famous-duo backed tequila (Sammy Hagar and Man Fieri don’t prefer to be referred to as “celebrities”) got here in on high due to its agave-forward taste. Tasters additionally discovered vegetal notes with pepper, inexperienced, olive, and minerals. It’s made on the Tequila El Viejito distillery (NOM 1107) in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco.
Bartenders put it in 2nd place, and rated it barely larger than aficionados, who ranked it in third. However when the scores of these 2 teams had been averaged collectively, it achieved the very best common rating of all nonetheless energy samples.
“Love the presence of the agave and the depth within the mid-palate… this can be a strong and glorious high-proof tequila,” mentioned one taster.
The two teams scored them lower than 1 level aside, which says rather a lot as a result of bartenders are a tricky crowd. This means that it’s a excessive proof crowd pleaser.
Conventional manufacturing strategies are used to create it, together with small brick ovens, a curler mill, closed chrome steel fermentation tanks, and a particular hybrid copper/chrome steel pot nonetheless.
Apparently, Sammy Hagar’s very first batch of Cabo Wabo got here from this distillery, and with Santo he will get to return to his roots by working with the identical Mexican household that focuses on the creation of top of the range, small-batch tequila.
Costs:
Amatiteña Tequila Blanco Origen
(49% abv) “Woah. What the fuck is that this. That is tequila?”
That is maybe the most effective quote of the tasting, which got here from a bartender who went on to award it a rating of 89.
“Buttered cooked peaches and roasted agave and white pepper,” he continued. “Wild. Scrumptious and dynamic. It’s troublesome to fee as a result of it’s so completely different [from] the others..”
The method used to make Amatiteña is exclusive. They cook dinner agaves utilizing direct warmth from wooden burned beneath a metal oven. The agaves which can be in direct contact with the underside of the oven begin to burn, which is the supply of the smoky aroma and taste.
Agaves are then crushed with a tahona, and fermentation is spontaneous, performed in wooden tanks, with fibers. It’s then distilled in copper pot stills to 49% abv.
Smoke isn’t the star of the present, although. Raters commented that it nonetheless has loads of agave, earth, fruit, pepper, citrus, anise, brine, and minerals coming collectively to kind a posh and fascinating expertise.
Bartenders scored this as their best choice, whereas aficionados ranked it tied for fifth place.
Worth:
Tapatio Blanco 110
(55% abv) This scored in 1st place amongst aficionados, which is not any shock! This OG still-strength tequila — made by the Camarena household on the La Alteña distillery within the Los Altos area — has been a fan favourite because it was launched in 2013. Aficionados mentioned it has a pleasant stability, and subdued flavors of earth, grass, and hints of citrus and spices.
BONUS: This scored essentially the most factors for worth, promoting for $58 for a 1 liter bottle at Outdated City Tequila.
“This nonetheless energy is OFF THE CHARTS scrumptious,” one aficionado mentioned.
Bartenders, who scored it in 4th place, famous it has a protracted end and would do effectively in cocktails.
“Palate is good vanilla and black pepper, chocolate mint, agave, butterscotch however not overly candy,” commented one bartender. “End is dynamic, switches gears from roasted agave to peachy stone fruits and herbs and a protracted fade out.”
Aromas and flavors discovered embrace: earth, minerals, citrus, agave, vegetal (notes), lemongrass, anise, mint, pear, apple, and melon.
Worth:
Volans Nonetheless Power
(53% abv) Of all of the tequilas within the lineup, each teams had been tightly aligned of their opinion of the still-strength product from Volans, with their common scores touchdown at simply .12 factors aside.
This newer nonetheless energy happy each teams, with its jalapeno, vanilla, and fruit notes and pure agave sweetness. It’s made on the El Pandillo distillery (NOM 1579) by Felipe Camarena utilizing a mix of deep effectively and pure spring water.
“Boost entrance, good cooked agave taste, [and a] good lingering end,” commented one bartender.
“Agave on the nostril with apple, minerals and mint,” mentioned an aficionado, who scored it a 90. “Agave on the palate. Good and buttery. A little bit of jalapeño, citrus … the ABV actually brings out the flavors.”
Costs:
Wild Frequent Nonetheless Power (Lote 3)
(50% abv) This aficionado-loved model is made on the Cascahuin distillery (NOM 1123), which boasts quite a lot of conventional manufacturing strategies. Wild Frequent is made utilizing a tahona and a curler mill, and fermentation happens with and with out fibers. Distillation is finished in a small copper-pot nonetheless.
Tasters loved its cinnamon, citrus and spicy pepper notes, however mentioned the mouthfeel was a bit of thinner than others.
“Good aroma. Very grounded, with gravel, hay, lower grass, and a bit of pepper. Smells very conventional to me.”
Apparently, aficionados ranked this as their 2nd favourite alternative, preferring it greater than bartenders, who scored it in sixth place.
Costs:
PM Spirits Nonetheless Power
(55% abv) This model got here out of the gates in 2022 with a strong 40% blanco and nonetheless energy combo, made at Grupo Tequilero Mexico (NOM 1468), in Arandas, Jalisco. The nonetheless energy, simply identifiable by its crimson high, was most well-liked by aficionados (4th place), and fewer so by bartenders, who put it in eighth place.
“Very candy, roasted agave on the nostril with hints of orange and pineapple,” mentioned one aficionado. “The flavour is equally candy with a cinnamon spice, berries, and orange. That is very good. The end is med-long.”
Different aromas and flavors discovered embrace: butter, bell pepper, mint, earth, cooked agave, floral notes, jalapeño, and cinnamon.
“This nonetheless energy is excellent,” commented one aficionado. “Purchase this at any value.”
Worth:
Tequila Cabal Nonetheless Power
(55% abv) This is without doubt one of the very first batches to come back out of the a brand new distillery, Destiladora La Roca (NOM 1646), in Amatitán, Jalisco. Agaves are cooked in brick ovens, extraction is through curler mill, and fermentation is in chrome steel tanks utilizing the model’s personal proprietary yeast, then rested in chrome steel tanks earlier than bottling.
Bartenders (seventh place) and aficionados (eighth place) appeared to have related opinions of this one, as their scores had been solely .18 factors aside.
“Floral, fruity and candy aroma. Taste was floral, vegetable, earthy,” mentioned one aficionado. “End was lengthy and spicy.”
Different aromas and flavors discovered embrace: Olive, minerals, bell pepper, chalk or limestone, “buttered asparagus”, with a protracted end.
Worth:
Cazcanes No. 10 Nonetheless Power
(54% abv) This model, additionally broadly admired by aficionados, received over the bartenders (fifth place) with its still-strength model. They discovered robust flavors of agave, vanilla, earth, and spices.
“Smells like a valley tequila with cooked and uncooked agave. Earthy, minerality, lavender. Good and minty,” mentioned one aficionado. “Nice mouthfeel and style. Good candy agave, mint, earth, anise, ABV works effectively. Would undoubtedly drink once more.”
It’s made at TTAP (NOM 1614) in Amatitán, Jalisco, utilizing a low stress autoclave, and fermented utilizing their very own pure spring water.
There was a distinction of opinion between the 2 teams, although. Aficionados ended up scoring it in ninth place, a distinction of three.2 factors in comparison with bartenders, which is the second greatest distinction within the lineup.
Additionally discovered: jalapeño, pineapple, butter, honey, black pepper, and fruit.
Costs:
El Tequileño Nonetheless Power
(55% abv) The most important divide of the lineup comes from essentially the most lately launched product from El Tequileño, with a mean distinction of seven.2 factors between the 2 teams. Aficionados ranked it in seventh place, however bartenders ended up scoring it tenth.
Some bartenders talked about that the aromas and flavors had been mellow and muted, whereas the feedback from aficionados had been extra descriptive, selecting up on inexperienced apple, lemongrass, floral, and pepper aromas and flavors.
“Aroma is initially candy and nice with citrus and flower notes,” commented one taster. “Lengthy end with loads of nice residual sweetness.”
The El Tequileño model is an icon of Mexican tradition, and the model is common all through Jalisco. Their still-strength tequila is an genuine illustration of what their distillery is all about, and like every nice tequila, it has a die-hard following who loves and appreciates its distinctive profile.
Costs:
Entremanos Tequila Blanco Excessive Proof
(50% abv) Though the title “excessive proof” seems on the bottle, this tequila qualifies as a nonetheless energy product as a result of no water was added previous to bottling. The all the time progressive Grasp Distiller, Jamie Villalobos Sauza, mixed completely different batches of nonetheless energy blancos, a few of which had been left to breathe in open-air tanks which lowered their alcohol content material, and revealed new facets of aroma and taste, creating a singular tequila expertise within the course of.
“Delicate nostril of agave and cinnamon, this has an enormous burst of taste on entry,” mentioned one aficionado. “Fairly thick, that is the viscosity winner of the samples tasted up to now. Root greens and earth together with a pleasant minerality carried by the ethanol make for a pleasant buzzy end.”
Different aromas and flavors discovered: Butter, citrus, fruit, honey, grass, with a candy and smooth end.
Don’t permit this rating to idiot you, this tequila is a wonderful expertise coming from a distiller who’s all the time arising with new methods to convey aroma and taste by means of cautious and deliberate modifications in course of.
Worth:
Takeaways
So, what’s the distinction between bartenders and aficionados?
Based mostly on what we’ve seen, bartenders are inclined to want tequilas which have a singular, daring and expressive persona. They’re troublesome to impress, and have a tendency to attain the whole lot decrease on common in contrast with aficionados. Maybe they really feel it might strike up dialog on the bar, or that it might find yourself as a cocktail ingredient, however they’re bringing a special set of standards to the desk. It’s additionally fascinating to see how they describe the aromas and flavors they’re experiencing, since they’re open-minded and infrequently write inventive tasting notes.
Though the aficionado neighborhood is numerous, with wide-ranging preferences, they every seem to have sure varieties of profiles they like, and are much less adventurous. When a selected tequila is a type of profiles, they enthusiastically reward it with a excessive rating. Tasting notes from aficionados are typically extra constrained and restricted to what’s conventionally used to explain tequilas.
