The Best Additive-Free Tequilas

Looking for a real Tequila? Made exclusively using agave, water and yeasts?

These are the Best Legit Tequilas free of additives, chemicals, artificial sweeteners and foreign substances!

G4 Blanco

• Nose: Agave, earth, grass, pepper
• Palate: Agave, minerals, earth, citrus
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: G4 Reposado, Fortaleza Blanco

Taste:

The nose is basically a blast of roasted agave, with an earthy note, along grass and black pepper. Is like if you could smell the agave and its surroundings.

On the palate, G4 Blanco displays a solid creamy body. Flavor brings blue agave natural sweetness, with a salty and earthy note making it remarkably interesting.

There is a citrus and grassy note coming behind adding depth.

The finish is long, pleasantly warm, with cinnamon and black pepper and a dry feel making you come back for more.

Is it good?

G4 provides what you expect from the top blanco Tequilas: rich agave flavor, earthy and mineral notes, a tad of black pepper and enough warmth to remind you that you are drinking Tequila.

Great option as Tequila on the rocks using large ice cubes as you don’t want to water-down this dram and definitely not a Tequila to make Margaritas; it’s just too good for that.

G4 is made by the fourth generation (hence the G4) of the Familia Camarena, one of the most renowned Tequila distillers in Mexico.

Its Reposado sibling is one of the Best Reposados and it’s one of the few additive-free Reposados so you should look into it.

Don Fulano Blanco

• Nose: Agave, black pepper, vegetal
• Palate: Agave, mint, citrus, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Fortaleza Blanco, Don Julio Blanco

Taste:

Don Fulano Blanco is crafted at Destileria La Tequileña a well-respected distiller from Jalisco, Mexico, along other fine Tequilas such as ArteNOM, Tears of Llorona, Fuenteseca and Cierto.

The nose brings roasted agave aroma, a dash of black pepper, with a vegetal/earthy note.

The palate, is quite smooth, with a pleasant mouthfeel, while displaying a good texture. Flavor brings more cooked agave, with hints of mint, citrus and cinnamon.

Finish has a good length, with very little warmth, rich in herbs, a pepper spice bite that reminds you that you are drinking tequila.

Is it good?

Don Fulano, that translates into John Doe, is a nice sipping Tequila, overly smooth, while still tasty, rich in agave flavor, soft pepper and very little heat.

This Tequila is completely legit, free of additives or artificial sweeteners with a taste of real Tequila that will please old school aficionados and newbies alike.

Cascahuin Tahona Blanco

• Nose: Citrus peel, agave, earth
• Palate: Agave, earth, citrus, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 84 proof (42% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Fortaleza Blanco

Taste:

Cascahuin is another of those top Tequila brands that are only known by true aficionados looking for a real Small Batch Tequila.

It is crafted at Destileria Cascahuin along other solid brands such as Loco, Wild Common and ArteNom.

The nose hits with a heavy note of orange and lemon peel, followed by agave, along wet soil.

On the palate, Cascahuin Tequila has a buttery texture providing a great mouthfeel.

First sip is pleasantly warm, loaded with agave and earthy notes, giving way to orange and cinnamon.

The finish is long, rich in natural agave sweetness and a touch of black pepper.

Is it good?

This is one I strongly recommend that like agave flavor over any other feature as it hits hard with it.

Cascahuin drinks quite nicely neat or rocks, is bottled at a higher proof than the average Tequila providing more body while not becoming hot.

It becomes a bit better as you let it breathe for a few minutes.

Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018

Taste:

The nose offers a blast of cooked agave, along an earthy note to it, brine and a drizzle of black pepper.

On the palate, Fuenteseca feels full-bodied and oily providing a great mouthfeel.

The first sip hits with agave flavor, along a rich mineral note and green olives.

There is a fruity note coming behind brining hints of mango and papaya.

The finish is long with very little heat to it despite the 90 proof and a soft touch of vanilla and black pepper.

Is it good?

Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 will change the way you understand Tequila as it hits with an incredibly rich flavor and is yet quite smooth and easy to drink.

This is something you should be drinking even though I know paying more than $100 for a Blanco Tequila sounds excessive, but Fuenteseca is worth every penny and one of the best Tequilas available.

Terralta Blanco 110

• Nose: Cooked agave, earth, mineral, anise, alcohol
• Palate: Agave, olive, mint, pepper, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 110 proof (55% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Taste:

Nose brings a bit of alcohol heat that fades as you let it breathe, followed by cooked agave, earth, minerals and a touch of anise.

On the palate, Terralta feels incredibly full bodied as it feels creamy.

Flavor brings a warming note at first, but is not harsh, with the taste of blue agave, olive, mint, cinnamon and a tad of black pepper.

The finish lingers forever, with a tad of pepper, agave and pleasing warmth that heats the chest.

Is it good?

The nose will lead you to believe that this is a harsh monster but the palate tells another story as it’s remarkably smooth for something bottled at such proof.

Rich in agave flavor, minerals with a satisfying finish that lingers providing a great experience.

Terralta 110 sits at a price just around $50 making a no-brainer.

Yeyo Silver

• Nose: Roasted agave, ripe fruit, mint
• Palate: Agave, ripe fruit, cinnamon, pepper
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Lalo Tequila

Taste:

The nose hits hard with roasted agave at first, followed by papaya and banana and mint coming behind.

On the palate, Yeyo Tequila provides a good mouthfeel as it feels oily.

Flavor brings agave at first, followed by ripe fruit, cinnamon and pepper, along earth and grass

The finish is long, with a bit of a bite, but is not harsh, leaving agave sweetness and pepper behind.

Adding a large ice ball tunes the down the heat making it easier to drink.

Is it good?

Yeyo provides a good experience from nose to finish although it bites a bit on the finish, yet the flavor makes up entirely for it.

Agave aromas and flavors are the main theme here, along natural fruity notes adding pleasant sweetness to it.

This is a Tequila well worth trying and can be used in Blanco Tequila cocktails and when you see the price under $50 you will definitely be interested!

Tapatio 110

• Nose: Agave, black pepper, grapefruit
• Palate: Agave, pepper, lime, mint, orange
• Alcohol content: 110 proof (55% ABV)
• How to drink? Rocks
• Similar to: Fortaleza Still Strength

Taste:

The number 110 implies that this Tequila is bottled at 110 proof (55% ABV) which is high when compared to most Tequilas that are bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) meaning they have far less alcohol content.

There is alcohol on the nose at first that rapidly gives way to cooked agave, along black pepper and a touch of grapefruit.

On the palate, Tapatio 110 Blanco feels creamy providing a great mouthfeel.

It hits with pleasing warmth that gives way to natural blue agave sweetness, lime, mint, orange and a subtle mineral and spicy hit.

The finish lingers with more pleasing warmth to it and agave sweetness.

Is it good?

The beauty of this poir is that despite being a high proof Tequila it doesn’t feel warm, drinks quite nicely and it’s a great option when in the mood to make overly tasty Tequila cocktails.

It’s also good on its own as you can sip it rocks, just make use to use a large ice ball avoiding dilution.

Ideal for punchy Tequila Shots given the high proof!

Mijenta Blanco

• Nose: Salted butter, agave, flowers
• Palate: Agave, orange, lime, butter
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Laud Tequila

Taste:

The nose brings salted butter at first, followed by roasted agave and a the scent of bright flowers.

On the palate, Mijenta provides a good creamy mouthfeel.

Flavor hits with agave sweetness, along notes of orange, lime and a bit of the salted butter of the nose.

The finish is long, with an anise note and pleasing warmth on the way down.

Is it good?

Mijenta Blanco is a nice easy drinker, rich in cooked agave, orange and lime flavors, along a subtle anise note on the finish.

Very little warmth and most importantly this is a legit Tequila free of additives providing a real experience.

On top of a good pour this Tequila comes with a nice backstory as Mijenta is concerned about sustainability and the surrounding community.

Cazcanes Blanco

• Nose: Clove, cinnamon, agave, salt
• Palate: Agave, asparagus, anise, pepper
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink? Rocks

Taste:

The nose is uncommon to Blanco Tequilas as it hits with notes of clove and cinnamon at first followed by roasted agave and a mineral touch.

On the palate, Cazcanes Blanco provides a great mouthfeel as it feels velvety coating the tongue.

Flavor is hits hard with agave flavor, followed by a vegetal note of asparagus, with a touch of anise and just a drizzle of black pepper.

The finish has a solid length, with some spice to it and pleasing warmth to it.

Is it good?

Bottled at an 100 proof that doesn’t feel as such as it goes down nicely with no burn making a must-buy for those who want a more tasty Tequila.

Arette Fuerte Artesanal 101 Blanco

• Nose: Agave, brine, alcohol
• Palate: Agave, black pepper, asparagus, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, High-end cocktails

Taste:

The nose brings a strong hint of agave, along brine and just a whiff of alcohol that fades away as you let it breathe.

On the palate, Arette provides a great mouthfeel as it feels viscous.

Flavor has a warming note, but is not harsh, with cooked agave flavor, black pepper, asparagus and a good hit of baking spice coming behind.

The finish lingers with pleasing warmth on the way down and a drizzle of cinnamon.

Is it good?

Arette is one of my favourite Tequila brands and it does not disappoint with this release.

It lets you feel the heat but is not harsh, full of agave and oily providing a great sip for those who want a kick out of their drink.

Codigo 1530 Blanco

• Nose: Agave, black pepper, alcohol
• Palate: Agave, cinnamon, mint, lime, black pepper
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Patron Silver, Codigo 1530 Rosa

Taste:

Codigo 1530 is also known as George Strait’s Tequila and as opposed to other celebrity Tequilas that tend to be infused with artificial sweeteners this is completely legit.

On the nose, Codigo 1530 Blanco hits you with an ethanol blast, but as you let it breathe it mellows out into a rich cooked agave scent, with a drizzle of black pepper an mint.

On the palate, it has a nice texture providing a pleasant mouthfeel.

Flavor is a bit warm at first, with more ethanol, but also mellows out into agave, with hints of lime, mint and a pleasant earthy hint.

The finish is short and sweet, with more mint to it and satisfying warmth that lingers on your throat and chest.

Is it good?

Celebrity Tequilas tend to be overly sweet due to the use of artificial sweeteners.

Some Tequilas like Casamigos Blanco use them discreetly, while others like Michael Jordan’s Tequila or Kendall Jenner’s Tequila abuse them blatantly.

Codigo 1530 Blanco tastes like true Tequila. I don’t get any aromas or flavors foreign to tequila so I applaud Codigo for remaining honest.

This Tequila is good, nose is scary as it leads you to believe this is a harsh Tequila but flavor is pleasant and the nice sweet finish makes it a good sipper.

Perhaps not the best for newbies but good nonetheless.

Ocho Plata

• Nose: Agave, pineapple, grapefruit, lime
• Palate: Roasted agave, ripe fruit, cinnamon, anise
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Fortaleza Blanco, Casamigos Blanco

Taste:

The nose kicks-off with a big agave hit, along a fresh and fruity aroma with hints of pineapple, grapefruit and lime.

On the palate, Ocho Plata delivers a smooth and velvety feel.

Cooked agave hits first, followed by ripe fruit, cinnamon and a touch of anise that reminds me of Casa Noble Blanco, but more moderate on the anise, along an interesting earthy note.

The finish has a good length, is pleasantly warm, with more agave to it and a drizzle of black pepper.

Is it good?

Ocho Plata is incredibly good. Everything in perfect balance, with no harsh or off-putting notes, and the right amount of warmth delivering a great sipper.

This is something to drink either neat and perhaps rocks if you want ti chill it a bit, but I’d rather keep it in the fridge as I hate to water-down a precious dram like this.

The review I have provided is for Ocho Plata “La Mula”. There are several other releases providing value to the term “small batch” which has become pretty much meaningless.

Regardless of which you find rest assured that they all good.

Siete Leguas Blanco

• Nose: Agave, black pepper, earthy, vegetal
• Palate: Agave, citrus, black pepper, mineral
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Fortaleza Blanco, Patron Silver

Taste:

The nose is extremely rich in roasted agave, with hints of black pepper, there are also earthy and vegetal notes making it quite interesting.

On the palate, Siete Leguas Blanco feels buttery, a bit warm at first with a dash of black pepper, followed by a powerful agave note.

The finish is long, with warmth that swiftly fades into rich blue agave sweetness and a tad of black pepper.

Is it good?

Siete Leguas Blanco taste is a pure expression of agave flavor from nose to finish.

This is all agave without harshness or foreign flavors such as additives or artificial sweeteners, just a clean and crisp pour and one of the best Blancos.

It drinks nicely neat or rocks. You can make good cocktails with it although it is a bit pricey for making cocktails or to use it as a Tequila shooter.

Gran Dovejo Blanco High Proof

• Nose: Agave, concrete, earth, asparagus
• Palate: Mineral, agave, cinnamon, pineapple
• Alcohol content: 98 proof (49% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Taste:

Nose has a funky concrete note to it along earth making it unique; there’s also agave and asparagus.

Flavor is rich in minerals as it tastes salty, giving way to natural agave sweetness, cinnamon, black pepper and pineapple.

The finish is long with a pleasing bite, more salt and a drizzle of cinnamon.

Is it good?

It left me a bit thirsty as it’s rich in salt but quite enjoyable with very little heat despite the high proof.

Entirely satisfying and priced around $50 making it a steal given the quality of the Tequila, the high proof and that it’s completely legit as it has no additives.

El Tesoro Blanco

• Nose: Roasted agave, earth, olive, salt
• Palate: Agave, citrus, earth, bell peppers
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Don Julio Blanco, Fortaleza Blanco

Taste:

The nose brings rich roasted agave scent, along vanilla, citrus and a drizzle of black pepper.

Palate offers sweet agave at first, followed by a citrus note, along black pepper and an earthy flavor .

The finish is long and warming, with agave, black pepper and a bit of lime zest to it.

Is it good?

Tesoro Blanco a solid tequila and one of the best Blancos you can buy today.

Sweet, citrusy, and very pure with the smooth taste and after taste of sweet blue agave. It makes a great sipper with a long tasty finish rich in pleasing warmth with virtually no burn.

El Tesoro is so good that I have included among the list of the best Tequilas you can buy today.

El Tesoro Tequila was founded in 1937 by Don Felipe Camarena who who was raised in a family that had previously been making tequila since the early 1800s.

Fortaleza Blanco

• Nose: Olive, agave, citrus, lime
• Palate: Olive, agave, mint, black pepper
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Don Julio Blanco, Patron Silver

Taste:

The nose offers rich green olive aroma, with cooked agave, orange and lime.

On the palate, Fortaleza Blanco offers a terrific oily mouthfeel, flavor is rich in olive, blue agave sweetness, ripe fruit, mint, a salty note and just a drizzle of black pepper.

The finish is long, peppery at first, with anise and agave in the background along pleasant warmth.

Is it good?

Fortaleza tastes like… Tequila is supposed to taste, as it delivers a cooked agave blast, along a nice olive hint and the right level of sweetness making it exceptional and one of the best Tequilas that you can buy today.

The right amount of heat making it a great sipper for those looking for a tequila rich in blue agave flavor.

It also drinks well on the rocks but this is not something I’d use as a mixer; too good and a bit pricey to be drowned in fruity juices.

Arette Blanco

• Nose: Agave, ripe fruit, mineral
• Palate: Agave, earth, pepper, smoke, alcohol
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Arette Reposado

Taste:

The nose is rich in agave at first, followed by a fruity note that brings a bit of banana and citrus. There is rich salty note to it.

On the palate, Arette feels a bit warm on the first sip, but is not harsh as it mellows into agave flavor, with an earthy note and a whiff of smoke making it quite interesting.

The finish is long and pleasantly warm, with a note that reminds of anise.

Is it good?

Arette Tequila honors the one-eyed horse of Humberto Mariles, who won two golds in equestrians back in London 1948 making a nice story to share over drinks.

This tequila is quite affordable making a great bargain and something you can use to use a mixer or in a ranch water cocktail.

Lalo

• Nose: Agave, citrus, green grass, black pepper
• Palate: Agave, pepper, citrus, cinnamon, vanilla
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Volcan de mi Tierra

Taste:

This brand was launched by Eduardo Gonzalez, grandson of Don Julio Gonzalez who in 1942 established a somewhat successful Tequila brand named Don Julio Tequila.

The nose is light, with a pleasant agave scent, followed by notes of citrus, black pepper and a grassy and earthy note.

On the palate, Lalo is rich in natural agave sweetness, with hints of citrus and vanilla, along cinnamon and black pepper. It has a creamy feel to it and very little warmth making it a nice drinker.

The finish is a bit short, though, with a baking spice touch making it satisfying.

Is it good?

Lalo is a good Tequila, not the most complex or interesting but a solid offering rich in natural flavors, free of additives and sweeteners.

This Tequila is an easy drinker, that aficionados of all levels will appreciate as it is smooth, yet tasty, rich in flavors of legit Tequila.

Wild Common Blanco

• Nose: Agave, wet concrete, ripe fruit, floral
• Palate: Agave, cinnamon, vanilla, ripe fruit, orange zest
• Alcohol content: 84 proof (42% ABV)
• How to drink? Rocks
• Similar to: Casamigos Blanco

Taste:

Wild Common is a Tequila brand created by Andy Bardon, National Geographic photographer, athlete, former mountain guide and a true Tequila aficionado.

The nose brings strong cooked agave scent, along a wet concrete note, followed by ripe fruit and a faint floral note, making one of the most interesting aromas I have come across lately in any agave spirit.

On the palate, Wild Common provides an incredibly nice mouthfeel as it feels remarkably creamy. Flavor hits with natural agave sweetness and cinnamon at first, followed by hints of vanilla, ripe fruit and orange zest.

The finish has a good length, is pleasantly warm and a bit tingly, with a soft anise note to it.

Is it good?

Wild Common drinks nicely neat although you can add ice if you want to chill it a bit. Just make sure to use a large ice ball avoiding dilution as you you don’t want to water it down.

A little too pricey and good to make Margarita cocktails or as a shooter. Stick to affordable tequilas for such ventures.

Wild Common is an additive free tequila as nothing has been added. Exclusively made using agave, water and natural yeasts making it a completely legit Tequila.

Volans Blanco

• Nose: Raw agave, white pepper, mineral
• Palate: Ripe fruit, vanilla, agave, mineral, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
• How to drink? Neat, rocks
• Similar to: Patron Silver

Taste:

The nose provides a good hit of raw agave, along subtle white pepper and a mineral and earthy note making it interesting.

On the palate, Volans Blanco offers a flavor rich in lime and pineapple up-front, followed by light vanilla, a mineral note and a drizzle of cinnamon.

The finish has a good length, delivering agave sweetness, along subtle fruity notes and just a bit of a bite to remind you that you are drinking Tequila.

Is it good?

Volans is good as it is crafted at El Pandillo Distillery in the Mexican state of Jalisco along G4 Tequila although they have different flavor profiles.

Tequilas Free of Additives & Sweeteners: Buying Guide

Tequila	Price
Codigo 1530 Blanco	$50
Cascahuin Tahona Blanco	$75
Don Fulano Blanco	$55
Yeyo Silver	$39
Tapatio 110	$56
G4 Blanco	$45
Mijenta Blanco	$45
Ocho Plata	$50
Siete Leguas Blanco	$53
El Tesoro Blanco	$48
Fortaleza Blanco	$55
Arette Blanco	$30
Lalo Blanco	$45
Wild Common Blanco	$71
Volans Blanco	$53
Cazcanes Blanco	$90
Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018	$130
Terralta Blanco High Proof	$40
Arette Artesanal Fuerte 101	$70
Gran Dovejo Blanco High Proof	$55

How can you tell if Tequila is additive free?

Distillers are not obliged to disclose the use of additives

According to the laws that govern Tequila production, Mexico’s Ministry of Health allows distillers to use additives in Tequila as long as they don’t exceed 1% of the total content without having to disclose that little fact.

The additives allowed are:

• Glycerine
• Caramel-coloring
• Natural oak or oak extract
• Sugar based syrup
• Colorants and Flavorings accepted by the Ministry of Health

So by looking at the bottle there is no way to tell if a Tequila is using additives which is a big inconvenience.

The only way to find out is by tasting the Tequila. If it tastes overly sweet, with a Splenda-like flavor or heavy vanilla notes you can be sure the Tequila has been infused with chemicals.

Agave provides natural sweetness, yet Tequilas like Adictivo that uses additives become cloying after a couple of sips making something I can’t drink.

Adictivo tastes like a coffee with 5 Splendas!

Read my roundup of Tequilas WITH Additives to know more drams that have been artificially sweetened.

Why is Tequila artificially sweetened?

The use of additives prevents variations from batch to batch

People like uniformity and hate uncertainty as they don’t want to their tequila to taste in certain way one day, to later find out that the flavor has changed.

Hence, distillers started using colorants and additives to standardize aromas and flavors and present consumers a homogeneous product.

You can read the Spanish version of this post at Tequilas Sin Aditivos!