Last Updated on July 27, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Cheap tequila is a bad idea. Why waste your time and money drinking low-quality tequila when good quality tequilas are worth every penny?
Tequilas made from 100% blue agave are highly sought after because of their premium taste. But what brands of tequila are 100% blue agave? Read on to find out.
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Table of Contents
Top 10 Tequila Brands Made With 100% Blue Agave
10. Casa Noble
Average Price: Roughly $39 – $100 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: La Cofradía Distillery, Calle La Cofradía 1297, La Cofradía, Tequila, Jal., México
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
The Casa Noble Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo are made from 100% blue Weber agave sourced from the mountains of western Jalisco.
While other tequilas are distilled twice, Casa Noble expressions are thrice distilled to achieve premium quality and taste.
Casa Noble tequilas have complex aromas of spice and dried fruits. Also, it has a premium flavor profile of butterscotch, toasted oak, sweet cooked agave, and vanilla.
9. Cenote
Average Price: Roughly $43 – $80 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Base of Jalisco Volcano, Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
Tequila Cenote expressions are made from ultra premium 100% blue agave from the lowland region of Jalisco, Mexico.
It is inspired by the beauty of spectacular underground water in the geographic region and the Yucatan Peninsula.
The spirit undergoes double pot still distillation using the combination of stainless steel and copper pot stills.
It has a complex flavor profile with delicate wood notes and a balanced fragrance of cooked agave.
8. Fortaleza
Average Price: $34 – $449 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Tequila Fortaleza, Tabasco 153, Centro, 46400 Tequila, Jal., Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80 – 92
Why We Like It:
Fortaleza has four types of tequila expressions, and all of them use 100% blue agave from Tequila Valley.
For the production process, they use a stone/brick oven, the traditional stone crushing method, and double distillation in copper pots.
Fortaleza tequila features a rich cooked agave and citrus aroma that will fill your nose. The olive, earth, black pepper, and butter are also present.
7. Santo Mezquila
Average Price: Roughly $27.99 – $299.95 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: El Viejito, Jalisco, Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
Santo Mezquila offers Tequila Blanco and Reposado made from 100% blue agave from the Highlands of Mexico.
However, their Santo Mezquila is a blend of 100% blue agave and 100% Espadin agave.
Santo tequilas have an intense agave aroma, light smokiness, and hints of herbs. It is full of taste and finishes, thanks to its master distiller Juan Eduardo Nunez [1].
Santo expressions have a rich tequila flavor, and their smoothness is perfect for sipping.
6. Espolòn
Average Price: Around $16 – $150 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Rancho San Nicolas Real Atotonilco 1081, Lagunillas, 47180 Arandas, Jal., Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
Espolòn is a tequila brand that uses 100% blue agave for Tequila Blanco, Añejo, and Reposado from Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico.
The distillery uses an autoclave for cooking the agaves and a roller mill for extraction. It is twice distilled in a stainless pot with a copper coil for purification.
It has a rich flavor profile on the palate with a mix of earthiness and herbs. The finish is fresh and clean with a kick of heat.
Read: What Country Drinks The Most Tequila Per Capita?
5. Teremana
Average Price: Around $24 – $100 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Destileria Teremana De Agave, Jesus Maria, Jalisco
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
Teremana tequilas are made from 100% blue agave from the highest peak of Jalisco, Mexico.
The distillery uses a brick oven for roasting and copper pots for distillation to ensure its quality and purity.
Teremana has notes of bright citrus with a fresh and smooth finish. It also has notes of vanilla and oak with a smooth and rich finish.
Fun Fact: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is a co-owner of the Teremana Tequila.
4. Casamigos
Average Price: Roughly $14 – $140 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Jesús María, Los Altos region of Jalisco, Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
Casamigos Tequila Blanco, Añejo, and Reposado are made from the finest 100% blue Weber agaves grown in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
On the other hand, their Casamigos Mezcal is made from 100% Espadin grown in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Casamigos premium agaves are cooked for 72 hours in traditional brick ovens and fermented for 80 hours before distillation.
It has hints of sweet agave, citrus, vanilla, and grapefruit aroma.
Read: Top Sipping Tequilas Under $50
3. Herradura
Average Price: Around $13 – $879.99 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80 – 110
Why We Like It:
Herradura tequilas are made from locally grown 100% blue agave from Jalisco, Mexico.
The agaves are roasted in clay ovens, fermented with wild yeast, and distilled in copper pot stills.
Each expression is rich in aroma, and its flavor profile compliments the flavor of sweet agave.
2. Don Julio
Average Price: Around $28.99 – $6500 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Don Julio Distillery, Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80
Why We Like It:
Don Julio Tequilas are made from 100% blue agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, grown for six to ten years [2].
The expressions undergo traditional slow cooking and distillation before aging and bottling.
Don Julio carefully crafted premium tequilas from plants to bottles with a complex flavor profile.
It has hints of vanilla, chocolate, sweetness, and light spice with a slight bitterness from the alcohol.
1. Patrón
Average Price: Roughly $29.49 – $1100 (Total Wine)
Distillery Address: Hacienda Patrón, Jalisco, Mexico
Alcohol Proof: 80 – 101
Why We Like It:
Every Patrón tequila is made from locally grown 100% premium blue agave in Jalisco, Mexico.
On the palate, it is savory with hints of white pepper, vanilla, and anise. It is very smooth and has a lush mouthfeel.
Its production process is unique because the agave is cooked for three days in brick ovens and uses two processes of crushing the base ingredients: roller mill and tahona.
It is fermented and distilled using copper pot stills before aging and bottling.
FAQs
How can you tell if a tequila brand is 100% agave-made?
Check the front label to tell if a tequila brand is 100% agave-made. It should state the percentage and type of agave used for the tequila.
Is blue agave better than regular agave when making tequila?
Yes, blue agave is better than regular agave when making tequila. 100% blue agave has a premium taste, unlike a mixto which is a mix of agave (51%) and other sources (49%) that will surely give you a bad hangover.
Final Thoughts
Tequilas made from 100% blue agave are worth drinking because they have a premium taste and will give you less hangover.
Premium tequilas are made from pure blue agave, so if you see a tequila brand without “100% Blue Agave or 100% Agave Azul,” it is a mixto.
Always check the label of your tequila, so you won’t drink half tequila and half other stuff.
References:
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/santo-unveiled-introducing-the-worlds-first-mezquila-300404739.html
- https://www.thrillist.com/entertaining/tequila-facts