Last Updated on: 6th April 2024, 01:53 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Herradura Silver vs Herradura Ultra in this in-depth comparison and decide which Tequila is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Herradura Silver vs Herradura Ultra: Head-to-Head
Herradura Silver: Features olive brine, earthy tones, and agave on the nose, with oak, citrus, and black pepper on the palate. Ideal for cocktails, offering a warming, earthy finish. Aged 45 days for subtle oakiness.
Herradura Ultra: Opens with vanilla and caramel, leading to a sweet palate of agave syrup and vanilla. Known for its smoothness and sweetness, achieved through blending and charcoal filtration, with added agave syrup.
Verdict: Herradura Silver offers a characterful, earthy profile suitable for mixing or enjoying on the rocks, providing a more traditional tequila experience. Herradura Ultra stands out for its exceptional smoothness and sweetness, appealing to those preferring a less traditional, sweeter tequila, states agave spirits expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Is Herradura Tequila good for sipping?
Herradura Silver Tequila: A Blanco with Character
- Nose: Olive brine, earthy, agave
- Palate: Agave, oak, citrus, black pepper
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails
- Similar to: Patron Silver
Aroma: Herradura Silver presents a mild nose with hints of olive brine, agave, and a touch of black pepper, grounded by an earthy tone.
Taste: The initial sip offers a warming sensation that mellows into oaky flavors alongside citrus and earthy notes.
Finish: This tequila boasts a long, warm, and pleasant finish, carrying the earthy note from start to finish.
Mixing Marvel: Herradura Silver shines in cocktails, particularly Margaritas, where its spicy and warming character adds an extra kick.
Authentic Experience: This Blanco tequila delivers a true-to-form experience, offering initial warmth and peppery notes followed by natural sweetness and the classic agave taste. While not the smoothest, it remains a good tequila with wide availability and a fair price point.
Herradura Heritage:
- Aged for 45 days in oak barrels, granting a slight amber hue and subtle oaky flavor.
- Established in 1870, making it one of the oldest tequila distillers.
- Acquired by Brown-Forman in 2007, joining their portfolio of spirits like Jack Daniel’s.
Herradura Ultra Tequila: Sweetness Redefined
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, agave
- Palate: Agave syrup, vanilla, agave
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Herradura Añejo
Aroma: Herradura Ultra opens with a captivating fragrance of vanilla, followed by rich caramel and the earthy essence of agave.
Taste: Prepare for a burst of sweetness on the palate. Herradura Ultra’s defining characteristic is its intense sweetness, reminiscent of agave syrup, with underlying notes of vanilla and a touch of agave.
Finish: The finish is short and smooth, leaving a pleasantly sweet taste with no harsh aftertaste.
Sweet Delight: This tequila prioritizes smoothness and sweetness, achieved in part through the addition of agave syrup. While it deviates from the traditional tequila profile, its pronounced vanilla and caramel notes cater to those who enjoy sweeter spirits.
Versatility: Enjoy Herradura Ultra neat, on the rocks, or chilled for a refreshing sip.
Herradura Ultra: A Unique Twist
- Crafted by blending Herradura Añejo and their top-shelf Extra Añejo, Seleccion Suprema.
- Filtered through charcoal for a smooth, crystal-clear appearance (Cristalino Tequila).
- Agave syrup is added after filtration, enhancing the sweetness.
Note: This review highlights the unique sweetness of Herradura Ultra, making it suitable for those who enjoy sweeter profiles. For a more traditional tequila experience, consider exploring other Herradura expressions.
How do Herradura Silver and Herradura Ultra differ?
- Silver is a Blanco Tequila that was briefly aged for 45 days before botting.
- Ultra is the blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo Tequila and is later filtered through charcoal in order to remove the characteristic amber hue of aged Tequilas, along some hard edges.
- Ultra was infused with agave syrup to make it sweeter.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price |
| Herradura Silver | $38 |
| Herradura Ultra | $63 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | Herradura Silver | Herradura Ultra |
| Type of tequila | Blanco/Silver/Unaged | Añejo/Extra Añejo |
| Aging length | 45 days | Undetermined |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Roller mill | Roller mill |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | No |
| Cooking method | Stone/Brick Ovens | Stone/Brick Ovens |
| Double-distilled | Yes | No |
| Triple-distilled | No | Yes |
| Additives | Unsure | Yes, agave syrup |
| Certified organic | No | No |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |