Tapatío Tequila: The Spirit of Jalisco in Its Purest Form

A Taste of True Tequila Tradition

In an age where slick branding and celebrity endorsements often steal the spotlight in the tequila world, Tapatío Tequila stands in quiet, powerful contrast. It doesn’t need the flash. It has substance, history, and soul—three qualities that can’t be manufactured.

Crafted by the legendary Camarena family at La Alteña Distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, Tapatío Tequila is a love letter to traditional tequila-making, created with purpose, patience, and pride. It’s tequila the way it’s meant to be: expressive, earthy, deeply agave-forward—and always honest.

At our shop, we proudly carry two exceptional expressions: Tapatío Blanco and Tapatío Blanco 110, each offering a distinct experience, but both grounded in the same commitment to purity and craftsmanship.

What Does “Tapatío” Mean?

Let’s start with the name. "Tapatío" is a nickname for someone from Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco and a spiritual home of tequila. It’s a term of regional pride—a badge of origin, culture, and resilience. For the Camarena family, the name “Tapatío” isn’t just branding. It’s a mission statement.

A Family Legacy: The Camarenas and La Alteña Distillery

To understand Tapatío is to know the story of La Alteña Distillery, nestled in the highlands of Arandas, Jalisco. The distillery was founded in 1937 by Don Felipe Camarena, a third-generation agave farmer who dreamed of creating tequila the old-fashioned way—by hand, with deep respect for the land.

Since then, La Alteña has become one of the most respected distilleries in Mexico. It remains family-run to this day, with master distiller Carlos Camarena, Don Felipe’s grandson, overseeing every step of the process.

Carlos is widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in tequila—known for his uncompromising standards and deep philosophical connection to agave farming. Under his leadership, Tapatío has earned cult status among bartenders, agave purists, and industry insiders alike.

Old-School Methods, Timeless Results

What makes Tapatío Tequila special isn’t just what’s in the bottle—it’s how it’s made.

Every element of the process at La Alteña is intentional:

1. Estate-Grown Agave

Tapatío uses only fully mature Blue Weber agave, grown in the nutrient-rich, red volcanic soil of the Jalisco highlands. Plants are typically harvested between 6–8 years old, allowing sugars to fully develop.

2. Brick Oven Roasting

Agave piñas are slow-roasted for four days in traditional mampostería ovens. This low-and-slow cooking caramelizes the agave sugars and brings out earthy, herbal, and floral notes.

3. Ancient Crushing Techniques

Tapatío uses a combination of roller mills and the traditional tahona—a massive volcanic stone wheel that gently presses the agave. This hybrid method captures both richness and texture.

4. Open-Air Fermentation

Fermentation takes place in open-air wooden tanks, using natural yeasts and an 80-year-old proprietary culture. This slow process allows the full range of agave flavors to develop.

5. Double Distillation in Copper Pot Stills

Unlike many modern producers who use stainless steel, Tapatío sticks to copper pot stills, which offer superior heat conductivity and help remove unwanted sulfur compounds—resulting in a cleaner, fuller-bodied spirit.

6. No Additives. Ever.

Tapatío is proudly additive-free, which means no glycerin, sweeteners, coloring, or synthetic flavors—just pure agave and mountain spring water.

Tapatío Blanco: Bright, Clean, and Full of Character

Tapatío Blanco is the brand’s flagship unaged tequila. It’s a celebration of agave in its rawest, brightest form, ideal for both sipping and mixing.

Tasting Notes:
     Nose: Roasted agave, white pepper, citrus zest, and fresh mint. A faint floral sweetness weaves through the background.
     Palate: Creamy and herbal with bursts of anise, clove, and green apple. Remarkably balanced with a slightly oily texture.
     Finish: Long and dry with a warming peppery close and lingering minerality.

Best Ways to Enjoy It:
     Neat in a copita glass
     In a Tommy’s Margarita
     As the base for a Paloma or Ranch Water

Tapatío Blanco offers exceptional value and unmatched quality at its price point. It’s often called a "bartender’s tequila" because of its flexibility and expressive flavor.  

Tapatío Blanco 110: A High-Proof Revelation

Now for the powerhouse—Tapatío Blanco 110. Bottled at 110 proof (55% ABV), this unaged expression is beloved by tequila aficionados for its intensity, texture, and layered complexity.


Tasting Notes:
     Nose: Bold cooked agave, black pepper, lime leaf, and eucalyptus. Dense, almost briny aromatics.
     Palate: Rich, oily mouthfeel. Waves of white pepper, charred citrus, dried herbs, and a touch of vanilla. Deeply structured but still smooth.
     Finish: Warm, long, and slightly smoky with lingering spice and a hint of minerality.

Who Is It For?
This is a tequila for purists—those who want agave at full volume. But don’t be intimidated: it’s surprisingly elegant, especially with a splash of water or a large ice cube.

Great in strong stirred cocktails like tequila Old Fashioneds or as a sipping alternative to mezcal or cask-strength bourbon.  
  

Tapatío and the Tequila Renaissance

Tapatío is part of the agave resurgence—a wave of traditional producers who are reclaiming tequila from the grip of industrialization and cheap mixtos.

In fact, brands like Tapatío are actively educating consumers about:

• The importance of additive-free tequila
• The environmental impact of agave farming
• The difference between lowland and highland flavor profiles
• The role of water, yeast, and time in production

It’s not just a drink—it’s a cultural experience.

Food Pairings: Bring Out the Best in Your Tapatío

Tequila isn’t just for tacos and limes. Here’s how to elevate the experience:

Both expressions also pair wonderfully with dark chocolate, toasted almonds, and even fruit-forward desserts like grilled pineapple with agave glaze.

Final Thoughts: Why Tapatío Deserves a Spot in Every Bar

Whether you’re new to tequila or 100 bottles deep, Tapatío offers something rare: integrity.
It’s a brand that doesn’t chase trends or influencers—it chases authenticity.

It’s tequila that reflects the land, the people, and the history of Jalisco. It’s the kind of spirit that invites you to slow down, pay attention, and savor every sip.

And the best part? It’s accessible—affordable enough for cocktails, refined enough for neat sipping, and powerful enough to convert even the skeptics.

If you haven’t yet experienced the full range of what tequila can be, Tapatío Blanco and Tapatío Blanco 110 are an extraordinary place to begin.

Cocktail Spotlight: The “Tapatío Highball”

Let’s put the Blanco 110 to work in a minimalist cocktail that lets the tequila speak for itself.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tapatío Blanco 110
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz agave syrup
• Top with chilled Topo Chico or sparkling water
• Lime wedge or twist

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup with ice.
2. Shake briefly and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
3. Top with sparkling water and gently stir.
4. Garnish with a lime wedge or twist.

Clean, strong, and endlessly refreshing—this cocktail is everything a good tequila deserves.