100% Agave Tequila Brands: What Should You Look For?

Pick up almost any bottle of tequila and you’ll find plenty competing for your attention. How long it was aged. Where the agave came from. Tasting notes promising everything from citrus to caramel. But there’s one phrase that’s especially worth looking for: 100% agave.

If you’re comparing 100% agave tequila brands, those three words tell you quite a bit about what went into the bottle. A 100% agave tequila gets all of the sugars used to make it from Blue Weber agave, rather than mixing agave with other sources of sugar.

So, why should that matter to you? And what else can the label tell you when you’re looking for an authentic tequila?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Is 100% Agave Tequila?

The name gives you a pretty good clue. 100% agave tequila is made entirely from the sugars found in Blue Weber agave. Nothing else is brought in as another source of sugar during fermentation.

Not every tequila works that way. Tequila that isn’t designated 100% agave only needs to get at least 51% of its sugars from Blue Weber agave, with other permitted sugars making up the rest. Both can legally be called tequila, but that 100% designation tells you exactly where the sugars used to make it came from.

And that distinction isn’t limited to one style. Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo can all be made from 100% Blue Weber agave.

Why Does 100% Agave Matter in Your Glass?

Knowing what 100% agave means is one thing. The bigger question is why you should care when it’s time to choose a bottle.

When all of those sugars come from Blue Weber agave, you’re tasting a tequila built around the ingredient that defines it. That gives the flavors and character of the agave more room to come through, whether you’re drinking the tequila on its own or mixing it into a cocktail.

That matters with aged tequila, too. Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo begin with the character of the tequila itself, then add new flavors as they spend time in the barrel.

Does 100% agave automatically make every bottle great? Not necessarily. How the agave is grown, cooked, distilled, and aged all matter, too. But when you’re looking for a premium tequila, knowing that it starts with 100% Blue Weber agave is a pretty good place to begin.

Authentic Tequila Starts in Mexico

Agave grows in plenty of places, but that doesn’t mean you can make tequila just anywhere. Authentic tequila has a home, and that home is Mexico.

To carry the tequila name, it must be made with Blue Weber agave and produced within specific regions of Mexico. Jalisco is the heart of tequila country, although production is also permitted in designated areas of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.

There’s an additional requirement for bottles labeled 100% agave: they must be bottled within the territory covered by tequila’s denomination of origin.

Suavecito uses 100% Blue Weber agave grown at roughly 7,000 feet in the Highlands of Jalisco, where the high elevation helps shape the agave’s character.

So, if you’re looking for real Mexican tequila, where it comes from isn’t just a detail on the bottle. It’s part of what makes tequila tequila.

Real Tequila vs. Fake: What Should You Look For?

When people search for real tequila vs fake, what they’re usually trying to figure out is pretty simple: How can you tell what you’re actually getting?

One important clarification: tequila doesn’t have to be 100% agave to legally be tequila. A bottle that meets tequila’s requirements but isn’t labeled 100% agave isn’t automatically “fake.”

If you’re shopping for 100% agave tequila, however, the bottle gives you some useful clues:

• “100% agave” or “100% de agave.” This is the big one. It tells you the tequila was made entirely from Blue Weber agave sugars.
• Made in Mexico. Tequila has to come from one of Mexico’s designated tequila-producing regions.
• The tequila style. Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo tell you about how the tequila was aged and can help give you an idea of what to expect from the bottle.

You don’t have to be a tequila expert to read the clues. A quick look at the label can tell you quite a bit before you ever pull the cork.

100% Agave Tequila Brands FAQ

What should I look for when comparing 100% agave tequila brands?

Start with the label and look for “100% agave” or “100% de agave.” From there, consider where the tequila was produced, the type of tequila you’re buying, how it was made and aged, and the flavors you enjoy.

Does 100% agave mean additive-free?

No. 100% agave refers to the source of the sugars used to produce the tequila, while additive-free describes something different about what may be added during production. A tequila can be 100% agave without being additive-free.

Can Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo all be 100% agave?

Absolutely. The 100% agave designation tells you what the tequila was made from, while Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo tell you about its aging. They’re two different pieces of information that you’ll often find together on the bottle.

Is 100% agave tequila better for sipping or cocktails?

A good 100% agave tequila can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. Blanco can bring fresh agave character to brighter drinks, while aged expressions can work especially well when you want richer barrel flavors or simply want something to sip.

Start with Suavecito

There’s a lot that goes into choosing a great tequila, but you don’t need to know every detail before picking up a bottle. Start with the label. Look for 100% agave, see where it was made, and then find the style and flavors that sound good to you.

Every Suavecito Tequila expression starts with 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco. From Blanco to Extra Añejo, there’s a bottle for however you like to enjoy your tequila.

Ready to find yours? Use our store locator to find Suavecito Tequila near you.