High-proof tequilas, once only for hardcore drinkers, are now being released at a steady pace. Why? According to some drinkers, they represent the best that agave can give us with pronounced aromas and flavors and a thick, oily mouthfeel.

A couple months ago, we decided to select the best of them for a blind tasting experiment. Since then three more have been released. This means that there are plenty of products now in the market for consumers who love a big punch of flavor.

The first high-proof tequila, as far as we can tell, was Don Fulano Fuerte, released in 2002 at 50% abv (100-proof). Then, in 2013, Tapatio 110 landed in the USA, immediately setting a high bar for still-strength tequilas. We now have 92 high-proof blancos in our database.

With so many options, which ones deserve your attention? To find out, we selected the 20 best that are (or will be) available for purchase, and conducted a blind taste test with 34 members of the Tequila Matchmaker Tasting Panel.

High-proof tequilas, once only for hardcore drinkers, are now being released at a steady pace. Why? According to some drinkers, they represent the best that agave can give us with pronounced aromas and flavors and a thick, oily mouthfeel.

A couple months ago, we decided to select the best of them for a blind tasting experiment. Since then three more have been released. This means that there are plenty of products now in the market for consumers who love a big punch of flavor.

The first high-proof tequila, as far as we can tell, was Don Fulano Fuerte, released in 2002 at 50% abv (100-proof). Then, in 2013, Tapatio 110 landed in the USA, immediately setting a high bar for still-strength tequilas. We now have 92 high-proof blancos in our database.

With so many options, which ones deserve your attention? To find out, we selected the 20 best that are (or will be) available for purchase, and conducted a blind taste test with 34 members of the Tequila Matchmaker Tasting Panel.

High Proof

Tequila that is above 46% abv, but some water has been added after distillation.

Still Strength: Tequila that has not had any water added after distillation.

Here are the results by category, and overall:

Alto Canto Blanco High Proof

(48% abv) We’ve been patiently waiting for this product to become available, and now it is! The distillery, Tequila El Rocio (NOM 1636), is a new and tiny place situated at 9,000 feet above sea level in Valle de Juárez, Jalisco. It has small brick ovens, a tahona, wood fermentation tanks, and 2 small copper pot stills. They produce a single brand.

Being at such high altitude, the fermentation takes longer because the air is cooler, and this is the reason why its aroma and flavor profile is so different from the others. True to our observations about bartenders, this tequila has a different and distinct character, so it’s easy to see why they scored it in 1st place, while aficionados awarded it with 6th place.

“Very interesting nose with a lot of depth,” said one aficionado, who scored it a 90. “Cooked agave with some floral and bubblegum notes, balanced out with a malolactic-ish funk. Cool! On this day, this is a big yes for me.”

“The aroma here is fruity, and insanely evocative,” said one bartender. “Not too hot on the finish. Vanilla depth. Excellent.”

Other aromas and flavors found: Melon, cheese and lactic notes, black tea, olive, licorice, grass/hay, anise, with a velvety finish.

Read more: https://tastetequila.com/2024/hail-to-the-high-proofs-these-20-tequilas-are-superb-sippers/