Tequila fans, get ready to hear a new refrain: “additive-free.” One of the biggest controversies in the tequila world right now revolves around sweetening syrups, caramel color, glycerin and oak extracts intended to make a tequila seem smoother, older or tastier.
Tequila advocates refer to the “1% rule:” namely, by Mexico’s law, producers are allowed to use up to 1% of these additives without disclosing it. But according to tequila database Tequila Matchmaker, around 70% of all tequila includes undisclosed additives, ranging from vanilla extract to stevia.
“It’s a transparency issue,” explains Grover Sanschagrin, cofounder of Tequila Matchmaker. “The common thread seems to be people feeling deceived.”
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Sanschagrin, along with cofounder Scarlet Sanschagrin, founded the Additive-Free Program in 2020. From their home base in Guadalajara, Mexico, they tour distilleries and take samples at various points in the production line, using lab testing to verify that samples align with what’s sold on liquor store shelves.
“We said, hold on, people are getting confused about what is real and what is fake,” Sanschagrin recalls. “And the fake is being labeled like it’s real. And we have to do something about it.”
While additives—or lack thereof—are rarely specified on labels, it’s easy to search the Tequila Matchmaker for a preferred brand. (Look under “other” for the “no additives” tag.)
For tequila makers, the confirmation helps stoke confidence in the product—and it doesn’t hurt sales, either.
“Many of the ‘premium’ brands that people are accustomed to are actually filled with additives such as added sweeteners, artificial colors and others,” says Adam Millman, cofounder of De-Nada Tequila (which is certified in Matchmaker as containing no additives). “This may seem innocent, but the truth is these additives are used to mask the shortcuts producers take during the production process, such as prematurely harvesting agave and using other methods to create mass volume at the expense of quality.”
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Further, Mexico’s governing authorities do not monitor this part of the process, laments Mara Smith, founder and CEO of Inspiro Tequila (also certified by Matchmaker as additive-free). “There are not a lot of standards regarding the disclosure of additives.”
Failing to disclose the presence of additives can also affect those with food allergies. Propylene glycol, a common additive, can cause reactions in some people. Others might want to avoid the sweetening agent aspartame, recently classified by the World Health Organization as a potential carcinogen.
Going forward, expect to see “additive-free” join “100% agave” on more tequila labels. “We’ve heard from retailers that they love this program,” because it boosts sales, Sanschagrin says. “If the retailers are pushing that hard, the brands will listen.”
This article originally appeared in the November 2023 issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine. Click here to subscribe today!
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Last Updated: October 19, 2023
