What Are the Core Ingredients of 1800 Tequila?

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that 1800 Tequila was named for the year it was first aged in oak casks, marking the birth of premium tequila? The fundamental ingredients of 1800 Tequila, however, are rooted in an even older tradition, defining its quality from the ground up.

Quick Summary

This article explores the primary components of 1800 Tequila, highlighting the essential 100% blue Weber agave, water, and yeast. It details how the aging process and infusions differentiate its various expressions.

Key Points

Blue Agave Base: All 1800 Tequila is made using 100% blue Weber agave harvested from Jalisco, Mexico, a key indicator of its premium quality.
Core Ingredients: The foundational Blanco expression is crafted from just three elements: blue Weber agave, water, and yeast.
Aging for Flavor: The distinct tastes of Reposado and Añejo expressions are a result of aging in different oak barrels for varying lengths of time.
Infusions for Special Editions: Flavored versions like 1800 Coconut introduce additional natural flavors to the double-distilled silver tequila base.
Process Impacts Profile: The use of traditional masonry ovens for the core expressions ensures a rich agave flavor, while some flavored tequilas utilize modern techniques.
Natural & Clean: The purity of the water and the unique yeast strain are crucial for creating a clean, crisp, and consistent flavor profile.

The Foundational Three: Agave, Water, and Yeast

At its heart, premium tequila is a surprisingly simple spirit. The core of 1800 Tequila, especially for expressions like the Blanco, relies on just three key components: 100% blue Weber agave, water, and yeast. This focus on a few, high-quality ingredients ensures the agave's natural character is prominent.

100% Blue Weber Agave: The Soul of Tequila

Only 100% blue Weber agave is used for 1800 Tequila, a standard for premium tequilas. The agave grows in the volcanic soil of Jalisco's Highlands for 8 to 12 years, where skilled 'jimadores' hand-harvest the mature 'piñas'. This careful selection maximizes the concentration of the agave's sweet, fermentable sugars.

Pristine Water: The Catalyst for Flavor

Water quality is crucial for both fermentation and distillation, allowing the agave's flavors to develop without interference. Pure water is essential for creating the 'mosto' (fermented agave juice) and achieving the tequila's clean taste and smooth finish.

Proprietary Yeast: Cultivating Character

1800 Tequila uses a unique yeast strain from La Rojeña distillery in Jalisco. This specific yeast converts agave sugars into alcohol during fermentation, contributing significantly to the final tequila's distinct aroma and flavor. Fermentation occurs for 40-50 hours in stainless steel tanks.

The Production Process: From Field to Bottle

The journey from agave field to bottle involves several key steps:

Harvesting: Mature agave piñas are selected and harvested by hand.
Cooking: Piñas are slow-roasted in masonry ovens for up to 40 hours to convert starches to fermentable sugars, developing flavor.
Milling: Cooked piñas are crushed to extract juice.
Fermentation: Agave juice, water, and yeast ferment for 40-50 hours.
Distillation: The liquid is double-distilled in copper pot stills.
Aging/Finishing: Tequila is aged in oak barrels for various durations or infused for flavored versions.

Variant-Specific Ingredients and Aging

While the core ingredients are constant, the differences between 1800 expressions stem from aging and infusions.


Tequila Expression	Aging & Additional Ingredients
1800 Blanco	Unaged or rested briefly. Only 100% blue Weber agave, water, and yeast.
1800 Reposado	Aged in American and French oak for a minimum of six months, adding caramel and spice notes.
1800 Añejo	Aged in French oak for at least 14 months, resulting in vanilla, toasted oak, and butterscotch flavors.
1800 Cristalino	Añejo finished in port wine barrels and filtered clear.
1800 Coconut	Silver Tequila infused with natural coconut flavor.

Flavored Varieties and Production Nuances

Flavored tequilas like 1800 Coconut include specific infusions. While core expressions use traditional masonry ovens, some flavored products may utilize diffusers.

Conclusion: Purity and Craftsmanship

1800 Tequila's ingredients underscore simplicity and tradition: 100% blue Weber agave, pure water, and proprietary yeast form the base. Aging in oak barrels or natural infusions create diverse expressions. The process, from Jalisco's fields to the bottle, involves careful craftsmanship. For more information on their distillation practices, visit the {Link: 1800 Tequila website https://www.1800tequila.com/the-process/}.

The Ingredients of 1800 Tequila: An Overview

Blue Weber Agave: The main ingredient, hand-harvested in Jalisco.
Water: Used throughout fermentation and distillation.
Yeast: A proprietary strain converts agave sugars to alcohol.
Oak Barrels: Used for aging Reposado, Añejo, and others, imparting flavor.
Natural Flavors: Infused for flavored variants.
Expertise: The essential skills of jimadores and distillers.

A Quick Look at the Production Steps

Agave Harvesting: Mature piñas are hand-selected and harvested.
Slow Roasting: Piñas are roasted to convert starches to sugars.
Agave Juice Extraction: Roasted piñas are milled for juice.
Fermentation: Juice, water, and yeast ferment.
Double Distillation: Fermented liquid is distilled twice.
Aging or Infusion: The spirit is either bottled, aged, or infused.

Key Takeaways from the Ingredients of 1800 Tequila

Agave is Key: 1800 Tequila starts with 100% blue Weber agave harvested from Jalisco, Mexico, a key indicator of its premium quality.
Core Ingredients: The foundational Blanco expression is crafted from just three elements: blue Weber agave, water, and yeast.
Aging for Flavor: The distinct tastes of Reposado and Añejo expressions are a result of aging in different oak barrels for varying lengths of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary ingredients of 1800 Blanco Tequila are 100% blue Weber agave, pristine water, and a proprietary yeast strain.

Yes, all 1800 Tequila expressions are made from 100% blue Weber agave, a marker of its premium quality.

1800 Reposado gains its notes of caramel, spices, and smokiness from being aged for at least six months in American and French oak barrels.

The core Blanco expression is a traditional three-ingredient product. However, some flavored tequilas like 1800 Coconut are infused with natural flavors, and diffusers may be used in their production process.

According to the official website, tequila is naturally gluten-free and vegan, as it's made from agave and does not use animal products.

The agave used for 1800 Tequila is sourced from the Tequila Valley of Jalisco, Mexico, where it is grown in mineral-rich volcanic soil.

1800 Añejo is aged for a minimum of 14 months in French oak barrels, resulting in a more complex and luxurious flavor profile with notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and butterscotch.