PATRÓN Tequila Rolls Out Additive-Free Stamp of Approval; Inside the Push for Better Spirits
PATRÓN Tequila, endorsed Additive Free by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) (Photo: Patron Tequila)
Next time you hit the liquor store, Patrón’s short-and-stout bottle will be topped off with a golden seal of endorsement.
Patrón has teamed up with the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) — the industry’s governing board — to roll out an “Additive Free” stamp across its core portfolio. The change in packaging signals a larger shift within the tequila market as consumers hunger for a new kind of spirit.
The CRT classifies additives into one of four categories: glycerin (for smoother mouthfeel), oak extract (for aromas and flavors of barrel aging), caramel coloring (for darker tint) and sugar based-syrups (for sweetening).
The CRT allows for the inclusion of additives in 100% agave tequila so long as they make up under 1% of total liquid. Crucially, brands are not required to disclose the presence of additives if they fall below that threshold, despite the fact that a single drop can radically alter the palate of a full-sized bottle.
CRT headquarters in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo: Consejo Regulador del Tequila A.C./Facebook)
This caveat has led to a divide between brands that claim a lack of additives and brands that are confirmed additive-free, with certification doled out by the CRT and the Additive-Free Tequila Program. As tequila rockets into the $100+ “premium” category, a growing number of consumers are now looking for that stamp of approval.
“More than before, individuals are conscious of what they’re consuming — they want natural ingredients and to be confident in the manner in which they were derived to deliver a high-quality product that satisfies their needs,” says Patrón Global Vice President, Innovation and Sustainability Samantha Newby.
“Patrón has been additive-free since its inception and it’s one of the many reasons why people gravitate toward it. As people continue to seek all-natural, high-quality products, Patrón is proud to once again be the leader of the additive-free movement with this new Additive Free seal on our packaging.”
Read More:
Additives in Your Tequila? Here’s How to Find Out (Even if the Label Doesn’t Tell You)
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