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Articles by Nick Goodnow
Cazcanes No. 9 Blanco
The name Cazcanes pays tribute to the Cazcan people and their history in the region. The brand emphasizes traditional production methods and lets the agave speak for itself. Cazcanes tequila is made at the Tequilera Tap distillery (NOM 1614) in Amatitán, Jalisco. The agave is slow-cooked and cooled for 24 hours in a low-pressure autoclave, roller-milled, fermented in open-air tanks using natural yeast, and double-distilled with copper coils.
Código 1530 Añejo
Código 1530 is a brand I’m seeing more and more on the back bar. Código lays its añejo down for 18 months, six months longer than the minimum required for the añejo category. Bringing the worlds of wine and tequila together, Código uses Napa Valley red wine barrels made from French oak to age its añejo. The barrels lend dark fruit depth and character to the tequila.
Código 1530 | The Tequila Report
George Strait’s backing gets attention, but the tequila holds up
Yéyo High Proof Blanco
Yéyo High Proof Blanco was created through the collaboration of master distiller Sergio Cruz, distillery owner Sergio Vivianco, and brand owner Jon Bullinger, who came together in 2009. Bullinger fell in love not only with tequila, but also with the culture, the people, and the process behind it. Made in the Highlands of Jalisco, Yéyo High Proof is bottled at 48% ABV, giving it plenty of depth and flavor.
G4 Blanco
G4 Blanco is produced at the famed El Pandillo distillery (NOM 1579) in Jesús María, Jalisco, with Felipe Camarena at the helm. The Camarena family has been making tequila since 1937, and G4 represents its fourth-generation legacy, now carried forward by Felipe and his sons. G4 Blanco is, in my opinion, the standard for what a blanco should be. It’s incredibly versatile, great sipped neat, works well in cocktails, and at 80 proof, it still has plenty of depth and character.
Cascahuín Añejo Tequila Review
Crafted by master distiller Salvador Rosales Trejo (“Chava”) at NOM 1123, Cascahuín continues to show why it’s considered one of the best tequila distilleries. Perhaps it should be no surprise that Cascahuín’s flagship brand recently took the #1 spot in The Tequila Report’s list of The Top 150 Tequila Brands. This añejo spends 14–16 months in American oak barrels, creating a beautiful balance between barrel influence and the distillery’s signature agave character.
Doce Casas Blanco
Doce Casas is a newer tequila brand produced at Tequilería Trujillo (NOM 1634), with a focus on traditional production and showcasing the character of the agave. Doce Casas showcases the union between earth and stars, with the beautiful bottle packaging representing a connection with the universe. This spiritual passion is comes from founder Valerie Saucedo, who started her own brand after consulting a number of our favorites throughout the industry.
El Ateo Reposado
El Ateo is a Total Wine exclusive produced at the family-owned Plantaciones Tequilana distillery (NOM 1635) in Arandas. While it’s distilled in Jalisco, the agave is sourced from Guanajuato, a region known for producing tequilas with bright citrus, tropical fruit, and earthy character. The cooked agave is crushed using a traditional tahona—a two-ton volcanic stone wheel—which helps extract the agave fibers and brings out vibrant, expressive flavors.
Lost Lore On Premise Blanco
Lost Lorewas created by Arturo Lamas III and Sarah Lamas to carry on a family legacy while honoring traditional tequila production. Master Distiller Sergio Cruz crafted this high-proof mixto specifically for cocktails, delivering bold flavor at a retail price of under $35. Produced using mature Blue Weber agave, traditional brick oven cooking, and roller mill crushing, Lost Lore has built a reputation for thoughtful, limited releases.
Real Del Valle Reposado
Real Del Valle was created when a group of industry friends recognized a growing demand in the San Diego market for high-quality agave spirits at an affordable price. In 2020, they traveled to Mexico to meet with agave farmers and explore potential partnerships, and from that trip, Real Del Valle was born. The agave is grown in the valleys of Guanajuato and the tequila is produced in Jalisco.
Don Julio 1942
Don Julio is a legendary name in the tequila world, with a story that helped shape the category. In 1942, a young Don Julio González received a loan to open his first distillery, La Primavera, and the rest is history. Often credited as Mexico’s original luxury tequila brand, Don Julio set a new standard for premium tequila. Although the brand wasn’t introduced to the United States until 1987, it quickly gained a reputation as one of the leading luxury tequilas on the market.
Partida Blanco
Partida is produced at Autentica Tequilera (NOM 1502) under the direction of Master Distiller José Valdez. The brand focuses on doing the fundamentals right, using just three simple ingredients: agave, water, and yeast. Partida was created to honor Enrique Partida, a third-generation agave farmer whose deep knowledge and respect for the plant helped shape the brand’s agave-first philosophy. Nose: Grapefruit, cooked agave, minerality, black pepper, and subtle earthy notes.
Tapatio Reposado
Tapatio is an iconic tequila from one of the most respected distilleries in the industry. Produced at La Alteña (NOM 1139) founded in 1937 by Don Felipe Camarena, and now led by Jenny Camarena, Tapatio stays true to its traditional roots. The classic packaging has long been known for its old-school charm. Now, the brand is looking to keep up with the times, rolling out a new bottle with a modern label and a cork that replaces the old screw top. The tequila itself remains as traditional as it gets.
Zumbador High Proof Blanco
Zumbador is produced in the Highlands at El Sabino (NOM 1643) by Roberto Lopez. The brand has built a reputation for delivering quality tequila at an affordable price, proving that a higher price tag doesn’t always mean a better tequila. Production stays true to traditional methods, using six-year-matured single-estate agave, cooked in masonry ovens, crushed with a tahona and roller mill, and fermented both with and without fibers in a mix of wood and stainless steel tanks.
Los Linderos Añejo
Los Linderosis more than a pretty bottle on the shelf, although it is a beautiful package. It is made at the legendary Sergio Vivanco y Associados distillery (NOM 1414) in The Highlands by master distiller Sergio Cruz. Los Linderos is an emerging craft brand founded by Carr Scott has done a nice job of garnering attention in its rollout phase. This tequila starts with fully mature, single estate Highlands agave fully influenced by the rich red soil characteristic of the region.
Manuscrito Reposado - Chapter Three
Manuscrito is a brand that represents a story in a bottle. This is why each expression is labeled with a chapter to show growth and development. Manuscrito’s story started in Wisconsin, when three friends decided to start a tequila brand with nothing but a pen, paper and a deep desire to create something timeless. What do you get when you age a tequila in previously used French Oak Chardonnay barrels? That’s the question answered in their Chapter Three Reposoado.
Libélula Joven Tequila Review
LibélulaJoven is a budget friendly option to elevate your cocktails. Which makes sense because the brand was created specifically for margarita mixing, back in 2016. It is made at Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604) in the southern Los Altos region of Jalisco. Joven meaning “young” is a blend of any unaged blanco and any aged expressions. Libélula Joven is a blend of 80% blanco with 20% 8-month aged reposado.
Libélula Blanco
LibélulaJoven is a budget friendly option to elevate your cocktails. Which makes sense because the brand was created specifically for margarita mixing, back in 2016. It is made at Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604) in the southern Los Altos region of Jalisco. Joven meaning “young” is a blend of any unaged blanco and any aged expressions. Libélula Joven is a blend of 80% blanco with 20% 8-month aged reposado.
Espéralo Blanco
Espéralo embraces a clean, additive-free taste. Made from just three ingredients-water, agave, and yeast, this tequila leans into tradition while still carving out its own identity. The agave is slow cooked in a traditional brick horno, allowing deep, natural sweetness to develop. From there, it’s crushed using a roller mill and fermented in closed stainless steel tanks without fibers, preserving clarity and precision in the final product.
El Ateo Blanco
El Ateo is a brand available exclusively at Total Wine. This tequila is made at the small, family-owned Plantaciones Tequilana distillery (NOM 1635) in Los Altos, and is the only brand made at the distillery. El Ateo exclusively uses family-owned agave grown in Guanajuato state, which is unusual due to the transportation required to get the agave to the distillery. Agave from Guanajuato region traditionally has flavors of citrus, tropical notes and earthy tones.
Los Linderos | The Tequila Report
All 2 Los Linderos tequilas reviewed and scored by our panel, with tasting notes and prices. Ranked #70 of 150. NOM 1414.
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