The only label rule that always holds
A bottle that says "100% de agave" is made entirely from blue agave. A bottle that does not say it is a mixto — legally as little as 51% agave, with the rest made up of other sugars. Mixto is where most of the reputation of cheap tequila comes from.
This is printed on every bottle sold in the United States, it is not marketing language, and it costs nothing to check. If you take one thing from this page, take that.
Blanco, reposado, añejo
| Type | Time in barrel | Tastes like | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanco | None, or under 2 months | Bright, peppery, green agave | Margaritas, palomas, anything with lime |
| Reposado | 2 months to a year | Softer, a little vanilla and oak | Sipping, or a margarita with more body |
| Añejo | 1 to 3 years | Round, caramel, closer to whiskey | Sipping neat |
| Extra añejo | Over 3 years | Dark, sweet, very oaky | Sipping, and usually a gift |
Older is not better, it is different. A good blanco in a margarita beats an añejo in a margarita every time, because the barrel flavours fight the lime rather than helping it.
What we would actually hand you
- To sip — G4 or LALO. Both are additive-free and taste like agave rather than vanilla syrup. This is the pair we point people at first.
- For margaritas — Espolòn Blanco or Don Julio Blanco. Enough character to survive lime and orange liqueur without costing sipping money.
- For a crowd — 1800 or Jose Cuervo Tradicional. Nobody is nosing a glass at a party, and the difference disappears in a pitcher.
- To give — Don Julio 1942 or an extra añejo. Bought for the bottle as much as what is in it, which is fine.
A note on additives
Mexican regulations let a tequila carry small amounts of sweetener, colouring, glycerin and oak extract without listing them. That is why two bottles both marked "100% de agave" can taste wildly different, and why brands that make a point of being additive-free say so loudly. If a reposado tastes like vanilla frosting, that is usually why.
Not sure between two bottles? Ask at the counter. We would rather talk you into the cheaper one that suits you than sell you the expensive one you do not come back for.
Quick answers
- What does 100% de agave mean on a tequila bottle?
- It means the tequila is made entirely from blue agave. A bottle without that phrase is a mixto, which is legally only required to be 51% agave, with other sugars making up the rest. Every bottle sold in the US states this on the label.
- Is añejo tequila better than blanco?
- No, it is different. Añejo is aged one to three years and tastes rounder and oakier, which suits sipping. Blanco is unaged and brighter, which is what you want in a margarita or paloma. Neither is higher quality than the other.
- What tequila do you recommend at Emporium Liquor?
- For sipping, G4 and LALO are the two we recommend first — both additive-free. For mixing, Espolòn Blanco or Don Julio Blanco. All are on the shelf at 3900 147th St, Midlothian, IL 60445.