Taster’s Club’s Tequila Blanco Choices for 2024
Written by Emma C | Updated March 2024
When it comes to tequila, every sip should be an experience, a dance of flavor that tells a story of craftsmanship and tradition. For those who appreciate the subtle and vibrant notes of agave's purest form, Tequila Blanco is a must-try. Whether you're a seasoned tequila enthusiast or searching for the perfect gift for someone who is, Taster's Club has you covered. Our internal experts, boasting decades of experience, have meticulously tasted their way through countless Blanco tequilas to present you with the ultimate 2024 list of the top 10 Tequila Blancos. Join us as we explore the nuances and distinct characteristics that make these selections stand out in the world of tequila.
Best Blanco Tequila Bottles In Our Bottle Shop
1. Tequila Ocho Plata
Tequila Ocha Plata comes from a single-field estate in Jalisco's highlands and is made from the finest, overripe agaves with maximum flavor. In this sipping tequila full of character, you’ll get grassy, vegetal aromas, with a bit of floral, too. Expect deep, concentrated, yet energized flavors and a spicy pepper finish.
Tasting Notes: Grass, Floral, Pepper | ABV: 40%
2. Volans Ultra Premium Blanco
Volans Blanco Tequila, an unaged gem, artfully blends mature Blue Weber Agave with rain, deep well, and spring water, undergoing meticulous aeration. Sip slowly to discover aromas of sweet cooked agave, minerals, and floral notes, intertwined with hints of citrus, black pepper, apple, and pear. The flavors, ranging from cooked agave to black pepper and subtle smokiness, create a harmonious profile. The aeration bestows a rounded mouthfeel, elevating the sipping experience. Volans Blanco is a testament to craftsmanship, offering a pure and nuanced expression for those who relish the finesse of exceptional tequila.
Tasting Notes: Cooked agave, black pepper, citrus | ABV: 40%
3. El Tesoro Blanco
This blanco tequila is unaged and bottled immediately after distillation to capture the essence of the maker’s Highland Blue Weber agave. The minerality of the soil and water shines through in this traditional, agave-forward tequila. On the nose, you’ll get aromas of lime, agave, basil, and dill. Flavors are similar, along with cinnamon, spice, and ginger followed by a long, spicy finish.
Tasting Notes: Lime, Agave, Spice | ABV: 40%
4. Siete Leguas Blanco
Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila is a testament to the brand's seven-league stride towards excellence. Crafted from mature agave plants and produced in small batches, this unaged tequila captures the essence of agave fields in every sip. With a commitment to traditional methods, it boasts a crisp and vibrant character. The nose reveals inviting floral and citrus notes, while the palate delights with the purity of agave, hints of peppery spice, and a touch of earthiness.
Tasting Notes: cooked agave, herbal spearmint | ABV: 40%
5. Primo 1861 Blanco
Primo 1861 Blanco Tequila, hailing from the renowned El Pandillo distillery, pays homage to the legacy of Pedro Camarena Ramírez. Born in 1861, Pedro established the first Tequila distillery in Arandas, later lost to a fire during the Mexican Revolution. Felipe Camarena, current distillery owner, invited Pedro's great-great-grandson to reconnect with Tequila's origins, giving rise to Primo 1861. This blanco tequila celebrates tradition, with its roots deeply embedded in history. Each sip reflects the craftsmanship and heritage of the Camarena family, offering a taste of the original Tequila spirit that has withstood the test of time.
Tasting Notes: Peppermint, Mint, Wet Earth | ABV: 43%
6. ArteNOM Selección 1123 Blanco
ArteNOM Selección 1123 Blanco Tequila, crafted by Don Salvador Rosales Torres at Destilería Cascahuin in El Arenal, showcases the essence of lower-brix agave from local Valley agaves. With earthy, vegetal, and herbaceous notes, this blanco tequila is a testament to the region's terroir and the meticulous artistry of its creator. Each sip reflects the commitment to preserving traditional flavors and the distinctive character of the agave plants used in its production. ArteNOM Selección 1123 is a journey into the heart of tequila craftsmanship, where the land's bounty is transformed into a pure and authentic expression.
Tasting Notes: Earthy, vegetal, and herbaceous | ABV: 43%
7. Don Fulano Tequila Fuerte
Don Fulano Fuerte is the original overproof tequila, is a singular masterpiece. With profound aromatics, it exudes a rich tapestry of spices and flavors while maintaining a mellowness highlighted by floral hints of jasmine and orange blossom. This exceptional tequila establishes a direct link to the agave fields, embodying the essence of its terroir, patient fermentation, and masterful distillation in copper alembics. Full-bodied and generously complex, its prolonged finish makes it ideal for connoisseurs and epicureans alike, perfect for sipping neat or as the unparalleled star in a craft cocktail. Don Fulano Fuerte is an unmatched tequila experience.
Tasting Notes: complex terroir, high minerality, wet cement. | ABV: 50%
8. LALO Tequila
Embrace the vibrant taste of Modern Mexico with LALO Blanco tequila. Crafted with utmost purity, each bottle embodies the essence of agave through a meticulous two-time distillation process. With no added flavors or additives, LALO pays homage to tradition while adopting a bold, innovative approach to tequila making. This blanco tequila is a testament to three generations of tequileros, offering a clean and vibrant sip that encapsulates the wisdom and passion passed down through the ages.
Tasting Notes: cooked agave, citrus and tropical fruits | ABV: 40%
9. El Tequileno Platinum
Indulge in the exquisite El Tequileno Platinum Blanco, meticulously crafted from 100% Estate Grown Blue Agave and mellowed for 14 days in American Oak. Elevate your cocktail experience with this premium tequila, a perfect choice for a phenomenal Margarita and a delightful addition to any mixology creation. Savor the smoothness and superior quality of El Tequileno Platinum Blanco – a tequila aficionado's dream.
Tasting Notes: Savory, herbal, pepper | ABV: 40%
10. 123 Blanco
Organic agaves are harvested for up to 10 years to create 123 Organic Blanco (Uno) tequila, from which reposado (Dos) and añejo (Tres) tequilas are made. Mature agaves are hand-harvested and the hearts are slowly cooked in stone ovens before being pressed to release their sugary juice. The blanco tequila comes once the natural fermentation and small-batch distillation are done.
Tasting Notes: Agave, Pepper, Vanilla, Pepper | ABV: 40%
With Taster’s Club’s best blanco tequila choices for 2023, you can take your pick from our bottle shop with more than enough to choose from whenever the mood strikes. If you’re looking for a more curated experience, though, you can always sign up for a Taster's Club Tequila membership. The club has two tiers to choose from, each offering award-winning selections from today's top tequila makers.
FAQ: Best Blanco Tequila Frequently Asked Questions
What is tequila?
Tequila is a distilled alcoholic spirit made from the agave plant. This mezcal type is only made with Blue Weber agave, also known as agave tequilana, which grows in Mexico. Once the blue agave matures (which usually takes over seven years), jimadors (agave farmers) harvest it by removing the leaves and exposing the hearts (piñas). The hearts are then sent to distilleries to be made into tequila.
Similarly to how bourbon must be produced in the US to be called bourbon, Mexican law states that tequila is only allowed to be produced in Mexico (specifically in the Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas regions).
How is tequila made?
The tequila-making process goes something like this:
- Collect ingredients. There are two main tequila categories, “puro” tequilas made from 100% Blue Weber agave and “mixto” tequilas made from at least 51% agave (and the remaining 49% sugars).
- Ferment. The wash is mixed and the tequila is fermented for 5-7 days. Once it’s ready, it no longer produces vapors or tastes sweet.
- Distill. The tequila is strained to remove any solid material, which can affect its purity. Pot stills are fired up, and the tequila wash goes through two distillations. In the first, there is no separation of the heads, hearts, and tails, while in the second, the distillate is separated.
- Collect distillate. The first 35% of the distillate is discarded (foreshots and heads), the next 30% is kept (hearts), and the remaining 35% is removed from the wash but kept to become its own wash later.
- Age. There is no legal aging requirement, and different tequilas have different aging timelines. That said, blancos typically aren’t aged but rest for up to 60 days, jovens are mixed with aged tequilas, reposados are aged from 2 months to under 1 year, añejos are aged for 1-3 years, and extra añejos are aged for longer than 3 years.
What is the history of tequila?
Tequila goes back to 1000 B.C. when the Olmecs enjoyed a sweet, milky fermented drink called pulque, which came from the agave plant's sap. Later on, the Aztecs adapted pulque for themselves, but it was taken over and appropriated by the Spanish in the 1400s, during their invasion of the Aztecs. They distilled spirits with agave and mud and then, around the early 1600s, the first mass distillery was built by the Marquis de Altamira in Tequila, Jalisco. In 1758, the Cuervo family started to distill tequila, and in 1873 the Sauza family followed suit. Today, Cuervo and Sauza are still two prominent tequilas on the market.
Look no further than Taster’s Club for the Best Monthly Tequila Clubs!
Elevate your tequila experience with Taster's Club Tequila Club, offering two exciting journeys. They can indulge in carefully selected blancos, reposados, and añejos for savoring neat or enhancing their favorite cocktails. Alternatively, they can savor hand-picked aged expressions like Reposados and Extra Anejos, each presenting a unique and complex flavor profile at its finest.
