Olmeca Altos Plata

Olmeca Altos tequila, aka “Altos,” is made in Arandas, Jalisco, in the Highlands, at Destilería Colonial de Jalisco (NOM 1111).

Altos is owned by the multinational wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard, so you’ll find it widely available at liquor stores, bars, and grocery stores around the world.

This 100% agave tequila is made using ripe, 7- to 8-year-old agaves, a proprietary yeast cultivated directly from blue agave plants, and deep-well water. Olmeca Altos claims that its proprietary yeast is a major factor in the tequila’s distinct herbal and citrus flavor profile.

Altos was created by bartenders for bartenders, who wanted a high-quality tequila affordable enough to use as a house well pour. It was designed specifically for mixing and cocktails.

They use Highland agaves, cook them in masonry ovens for 36 hours, then let them rest for eight hours before milling them with either a roller mill or a tahona. Altos is made using 50% tahona-crushed and 50% roller-milled agave.

Fermentation is performed in stainless-steel tanks with the agave fibers. The tequila is then double-distilled in small copper pot stills, proofed to 40% ABV, filtered, and bottled immediately.

The strong aroma of fresh, crisp agave emanates from the glass, along with notes of bright lime zest, celery, minerals, alcohol vapors, brine, and even sliced white almonds.

I taste fresh agave, grapefruit and lime zest, wet minerals, and a touch of brine. The cooked agave adds natural sweetness, and it has a nice mouthfeel. The alcohol shows up with some black pepper that lingers into the finish. There’s a vegetal pepper taste that creeps in at the end.

Overall, this is a very affordable, high-quality tequila that’s bold enough to stand out in cocktails.

More from Olmeca Altos: All of our Olmeca Altos coverage, including reviews, lists, scores, and more.