What Are Additives in Tequila?
According to Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), producers can add up to 1% of certain additives by volume to 100% agave tequila without disclosing them on the label. This small percentage is enough to dramatically alter the spirit's taste, aroma, and mouthfeel to achieve consistency or mimic characteristics that would otherwise require more time and expense. The four legally permitted additives, known as abocantes, are:
- Caramel Coloring: Used to create the rich, amber hue associated with aged tequilas, like reposados and añejos, potentially misleading consumers about the spirit's actual maturation time.
- Glycerin: A viscous, odorless liquid added to create a smoother, heavier mouthfeel, which can give the impression of a more refined or aged tequila by masking harsher alcohol notes.
- Oak Extract: Concentrated extract used to impart woody notes, such as vanilla, caramel, and spice, simulating the flavor profile that would naturally develop from extended barrel aging.
- Sugar-Based Syrup: A sweetener added to mask agave bitterness, making the tequila more palatable to a broader, sweeter-preferring audience but potentially muting the agave's natural complexity.
Altos's Commitment to Additive-Free Production
Olmeca Altos has earned a reputation as an accessible, high-quality, and additive-free tequila, confirmed by both third-party reviewers and brand transparency. The brand's philosophy, guided by traditional craftsmanship, is centered on allowing the high-quality, highland blue agave to shine naturally. This commitment is evident in every stage of their production process, which avoids shortcuts that require artificial adjustments.
The Traditional Process Behind Altos Tequila
The purity of Altos is not an accident but a result of meticulous adherence to traditional tequila-making methods. The brand's process focuses on creating an authentic spirit from start to finish.
- Highland Agave: Altos uses 100% blue agave from the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, a region known for its unique red clay soil that contributes to the agave's distinct fruity and sweet notes.
- Brick Oven Slow Cooking: Unlike the faster, modern autoclave cooking method used by some producers, Altos slow-cooks its agave hearts in traditional brick ovens. This allows for a deeper, more natural caramelization of the agave's sugars, which is essential for a complex flavor profile.
- Tahona Wheel: A significant portion of Altos tequila is still made using a 500-year-old tahona volcanic stone wheel to crush the cooked agave. This time-intensive process extracts the agave juice and ferments with the agave fibers, contributing to a rich, earthy, and mineral-driven character.
- Copper Pot Stills: Distillation takes place in copper pot stills, another nod to tradition. Copper's properties help remove unwanted sulfur compounds, resulting in a cleaner, smoother, and purer spirit.
- Natural Aging: For its aged expressions, like Reposado, Altos uses ex-bourbon barrels to impart flavor and color naturally over several months, rather than using artificial oak extracts or caramel coloring.
How to Identify Additive-Free Tequila
Since brands are not required to disclose additives below 1%, relying on marketing alone is not enough. Here are some ways to determine if a tequila is truly additive-free:
- Check the Tequila Matchmaker App: Tequila Matchmaker's Additive-Free Alliance provides a database of brands that have been independently verified as additive-free through laboratory testing and distillery inspections. Searching for Altos on this resource confirms its status.
- Perform a Hand Rub Test: A simple, though not scientifically precise, test involves rubbing a few drops of tequila between your palms. If the liquid feels sticky or syrupy, it may indicate the presence of additives like glycerin or sugar syrup. Authentic, additive-free tequila will dry cleanly.
- Examine the Aroma and Flavor: Tequilas with additives often have strong, one-dimensional notes of vanilla, caramel, or artificial sweetness. Additive-free tequilas, in contrast, will have more complex, earthy, and natural aromas, with flavors that evolve on the palate.
Altos vs. Additive-Laden Tequilas: A Comparison
| Feature | Olmeca Altos (Additive-Free) | Additive-Laden Tequila |
|---|---|---|
| Agave Source | 100% blue agave, primarily from Los Altos. | At least 51% agave, sometimes sourced less maturely. |
| Cooking Process | Slow-cooked in traditional brick ovens. | Often uses faster, industrial autoclaves. |
| Extraction | Uses both roller mill and traditional tahona wheel. | Typically relies on roller mill or industrial diffusers. |
| Flavor Profile | Complex, natural agave notes with citrus, fruit, pepper, and earth. | Artificially enhanced, sweeter, and more predictable flavor. |
| Consistency | Batch variations are possible and desirable, reflecting the harvest. | Flavor and color are precisely manipulated for uniform batches. |
| Mouthfeel | Natural, authentic texture from traditional methods. | Smoother, sometimes oily mouthfeel from glycerin. |
The Benefits of Choosing Additive-Free Tequila
By opting for an additive-free tequila like Altos, consumers can enjoy several advantages:
- Authentic Taste: Experience the true, unmasked flavor of the agave plant and the unique terroir of its origin.
- Cleaner Profile: Without artificial enhancers, the spirit is cleaner on the palate and more expressive of its natural qualities.
- No Unnecessary Ingredients: Avoid consuming potentially unwanted artificial colors, sweeteners, and thickeners.
- Appreciation for Craft: Support producers who honor traditional, slower, and more laborious methods of tequila making.
- Better Drinking Experience: Many aficionados report that additive-free tequilas lead to a more pleasant tasting experience and can contribute to fewer negative side effects compared to additive-laden alternatives.
Conclusion: The Pure Choice
In conclusion, the question of "Does Altos have additives?" is definitively answered: no. Olmeca Altos is proudly an additive-free tequila, relying on traditional methods and high-quality 100% blue agave to produce its authentic flavor profile. In an industry where artificial enhancements are common, Altos represents a pure and transparent option for both cocktail enthusiasts and connoisseurs who seek a genuine tequila experience. By choosing Altos, you are opting for an unadulterated spirit that respects the tradition and the natural character of the agave plant.
To learn more about the distinction, consider exploring the independent verification resources available online, such as the Tequila Matchmaker Additive-Free Alliance.
