The tequila industry has seen an impressive glow-up in the last decade. Public perceptions of tequila rocketed from cheap party shooter to sophisticated top-shelf material before our very eyes, thanks in no small part to the celebrity tequila boom and the rise of luxury sipping tequilas.
Unless you're a tequila enthusiast tuned into industry news, you may not know there’s growing debate around “additive-free” labeling in tequila.
While the details involve a mix of regulations and industry shifts, what matters most is this: How can tequila lovers identify clean, zero additive options?
Until the dust settles, the choice of what to drink is in the hands of consumers. To make that decision easier, we’ve spotlighted nine tequilas that are said to be made without additives, along with insights directly from the producers to help you make an informed choice.
Rooted in culinary artistry and inspired by tattoo culture, Marcado 28 Tequila is the creation of celebrated chef Michael Voltaggio. Crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave, grown in the lush Tequila Valleys of Jalisco, Mexico, this tequila embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. The agave is slow-cooked at lower temperatures to preserve its natural sweetness before being expertly distilled.
Each sip of Marcado 28 Blanco Tequila unveils the purity and vibrancy of expertly crafted agave. Expect a crisp, clean profile with bright agave-forward notes, complemented by hints of fresh citrus. For a richer, more layered experience, explore the caramel and warm spice notes of Marcado 28 Reposado.
“Our tequilas are crafted exclusively from agave, yeast and deep well water, without the addition of any other substances. Produced in small batches, every step of the process is carefully monitored to ensure the highest quality and flavor, avoiding any shortcuts. This dedication preserves the integrity of traditional tequila production, guaranteeing a product that is true to its heritage.”
- Bruno Barba, 10th-generation Agave Producer and Master Distiller
LALO Tequila is a celebration of simplicity and tradition, created by Eduardo “Lalo” González, grandson of Don Julio González. Yes, THAT Don Julio. They focus solely on producing blanco tequila, believing it’s the purest expression of their craft.
“LALO Tequila is committed to the traditional process of making tequila by producing our product with only three ingredients: deep well water and Champagne yeast to bring out the best in our fully mature Highland agave.”
- Eduardo “Lalo” González, Founder
Casa Noble Tequila is certified organic with agave grown on a high-altitude estate and aged in French oak barrels.
The reposado is sensuous and full bodied, layering vanilla sweetness and clove spice, black pepper and jalapeño with a rich finish.
“For us, sustainability was important since the beginning. Not just the organic, but no spillage, carbon footprint, and among those things we wanted the tequila to basically be created with agave and water. Building all the intricate flavors throughout the process needed to be generated through the beautiful plant-- the agave. So for us, not adding additives was essential, and then from there we decided to become Kosher certified, which means we absolutely do not add anything into our products.”
- Jose "Pepe" Hermosillo, Founder
Crafted in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, CavAgave Blanco Tequila is an additive-free spirit made from 100% blue agave. This blanco expression boasts a crisp, clean profile, ideal for mixing into a refreshing cocktail with soda water and fresh lime juice.
But the journey doesn't end there. Explore the full range of CavAgave, including reposado, añejo, and extra añejo expressions. Each offers distinct flavor profiles, meticulously developed through varying periods of oak barrel aging.
“Crafted with care and tradition, CavAgave is made using artisanal methods that honor the true essence of agave. Every step reflects a commitment to authenticity and quality, ensuring a pure and uncompromised experience that respects the craft and the industry alike. CavAgave stays true to its roots, made with nothing but agave, time, and tradition. Each sip reflects the natural purity of its ingredients and the artistry of its creation.”
-Celia Maestri
Maracame Tequila is grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. At these higher elevations, agave roots have to grow deeper to pull more minerals from the soil, resulting in more complexity of flavor and superior quality tequila.
Maracame Reposado Tequila displays rich, bright aromas of citrus marmalade rather than gourmand sweetness. It’s delicately crisp with a full-bodied finish.
"As a Master Tequila Distiller, nothing fills me with more pride than knowing that every bottle of Maracame is hand crafted with the purest ingredients and the utmost care. We don’t believe in shortcuts—no additives, no artificial enhancements. Our process is rooted in tradition, where every agave is hand-selected, slow-cooked, and distilled with precision. Our tequila is made from mature 100% Blue Weber Agave, water, and yeast. This is not just about making a great spirit; it’s about respecting the land, the heritage, and the people who dedicate their lives to this craft. For the consumer, this means a clean, authentic taste using all natural ingredients that truly reflects the essence of agave, and a product they can trust to be pure, from the first sip to the last."
- Zandra Gomez Santiago, Master Distiller
As its name suggests, Tres Generaciones Tequila honors the legacies of three generations of tequila makers from the Sauza family who refined and perfected the art of tequila-making. Keeping with the rule of three, their tequila is triple distilled to remove any impurities, producing a more refined flavor without any harshness.
Tres Generaciones Reposado is sweet and spicy, offering an initial spiciness of toasted oak with a background of herbs and fresh agave. The finish is warm and dry with a lingering white pepper taste.
“Tres Generaciones Tequila Reposado is made with only three natural ingredients and nothing else. We start by selecting the best, fully matured estate grown agave from our own farms and then ferment using our house yeast and volcanic spring water. We triple distill all of our tequila and our Reposado is rested in toasted new American oak barrels for four months to further accentuate the delicate agave flavors alongside warming sweet and spicy notes from the oak. Our sip-worthy tequila is great on the rocks or mixed into your favorite cocktail.”
- Josh Clark, Brand Director
Código 1530 Tequila boasts its purity by advertising its blanco tequila as unaged: because when you carefully source just three ingredients, why would it need to touch a barrel?
Their blanco has an earthy and mineral character that beautifully balances its citrusy sweetness. But don’t just take our word for it; user LizzyR said in their 5-star review on our site, “I have been searching for a smooth blanco that doesn't taste like vanilla or like there is something added. This one is a winner!”
"At our dedicated Código 1530 distillery, we proudly make tequila using a simple, timeless process by hand selecting only the ripest agaves and sourcing local, volcanic-filtered water. That, plus a touch of proprietary yeast to activate fermentation are the only ingredients we use. One sip, and you will undoubtedly smell and taste the difference with no added sugars, colors or flavors."
- Federico Vaughan, Co-founder & COO
Made by a fourth-generation tequila distiller, El Mayor employs time-honored traditions to make their tequila.
The reposado is rested in white oak barrels for a minimum of 9 months, giving the tequila an elegantly structured, balanced taste with a remarkably smooth finish. You’ll pick up on notes of rich honey and butter with hints of vanilla, oak and subtle smoky tones.
“El Mayor Tequila is made using the same ingredients our forefathers used to create their tequila: matured 100% Blue Weber Agave, heirloom yeast, and water – nothing else. As fourth generation Master Distillers, my family takes great pride in practicing the same methods embraced by my great-great-grandfather. El Mayor Tequila begins by harvesting fully matured agave from our fields and cooking the agave within 24 hours of harvesting. After milling, pressing, and fermenting the agave with our heirloom yeast, we distill our fermented juice. To achieve the highest quality and flavor in our portfolio beyond our Blanco, we rest the tequila in American White Oak bourbon barrels for months to years, depending on the expression.”
- Grace Gonzalez, Master Distiller
Casa Azul Tequila is grown on a single estate and USDA certified organic, which means no pesticides or chemicals come anywhere close to their precious agaves.
The blanco is rested for 2-3 months before bottling. It has a vibrant agave flavor and nose with baked agave and ripe fruit and hints of herbs and minerals, opening up to a soft, smooth finish.
“At Casa Azul, we’re committed to delivering tequila as nature intended—from ground to glass. Our organic process starts with 100% single estate blue agave, combined with only three ingredients: organic agave, deep well water, and wild yeast. No shortcuts, nothing added and completely free from pesticides and chemicals—just the purest drinking experience crafted with care every step of the way.”
- Dennis Carr, CEO
PATRÓN is perhaps one of the most recognizable names in tequila, so it should come as no surprise to see them on this list.
PATRÓN’s classic Silver Tequila has a clean, but complex palate of roasted citrus, dried flowers, dusty minerals, salt and a touch of cream. It’s reliably smooth, balanced and delicious.
“At PATRÓN, we’ve proudly kept an unwavering commitment to crafting 100% natural and additive-free tequila since our inception in 1989, starting with the creation of PATRÓN Silver. As the heart of our brand, PATRÓN Silver exemplifies our dedication to craftsmanship. Made from just three of the highest-quality, all-natural ingredients — 100% Weber Blue Agave, water, and yeast — this exquisite tequila is harvested by hand and distilled using time-honored techniques, with absolutely no additives. The result is a remarkably clean and vibrant tequila, with a crisp, smooth taste that highlights fresh agave, citrus, and a light pepper finish. PATRÓN Silver stands apart as the benchmark for silver tequilas, reflecting the essence of agave and our standard of excellence. PATRÓN is proudly additive free.”
– David Rodriguez, Master Distiller
