La Gritona is a reposado-only Tequila brand owned by Los Angeles–based Andy Coronado and produced at NOM 1533 by Master Distiller Melly Barajas, who owns and operates the distillery with an all-female team.
The brand is instantly recognizable thanks to its striking green bottles, made from recycled Mexican Coca-Cola glass by Pavisa Glass and sealed with wire snap tops, giving it one of the more distinctive shelf presences in the category.
To produce La Gritona, agaves are steam-cooked in ovens (hornos) for 24 hours, rested another 24, crushed in a roller-mill, naturally fermented in open steel vats for 8–12 days, and distilled in steel stills with copper coils.
The tequila is then rested for around six months in heavily reused American whiskey barrels (including Jack Daniel’s and Balcones). The barrels are intentionally reused repeatedly to mute heavy oak influence, allowing the agave to remain the focus.
Nose: Initial whiskey barrel notes of oak, barrel spice, and faint vanilla gradually open into green, herbal, and vegetal tones.
Taste: Mellow and easy-drinking. Sweet up front with caramel, light vanilla, cooked agave, subtle florals, light oak, anise, and cinnamon.
Finish: Green pepper, herbs, and soft oak linger. This is a lighter-style reposado, almost leaning toward a barrel-rested blanco. It’s well-rounded and approachable.
Consumers who appreciate distinctive packaging definitely enjoy the bottle design. All things considered, it’s relatively well-priced and delivers a clean, herbaceous take on the category.
NOM | 1533 |
|---|---|
Agave | Los Altos, Single Estate |
Cooking | Stone / Brick ovens |
Extraction | Roller mill |
Water | Deep well water |
Fermentation | Open-air, stainless steel tanks |
Still | Stainless steel pot stills |
Age | Used whiskey barrels for ~ six months |
ABV | 40% |
