LALO Tequila Uncorks Much-Awaited High Proof Blanco

(Photo: LALO)

On Wednesday, LALO Tequila unveiled its second expression, a high-ABV blanco bottled just shy of the legal maximum in the U.S.

Similar to the brand’s flagship Blanco, the spirit is distilled with a simple three-part mix of deep well water, Champagne yeast and highland agave. Unlike that expression, LALO’s latest offering — touted as a limited-edition release on the label — is bottled at a balmy 54% ABV.

The brand was brought to market in 2020 by Eduardo “Lalo” González, grandson of Don Julio’s very own Don Julio González. Lalo envisioned his tequila as a tribute to old-school methodology, forgoing reposado and añejo expressions in favor of a single additive-free blanco. The bottling has received rave reviews since launch and currently holds a Raided Score™ of 90 on our site.

Lalo says that the high proof, now available nationwide at a suggested price of $74.99, takes the concept in a new direction.

“This release is particularly special to me and embodies my heritage and soul of the tequila-making that’s been a part of my family for generations,” Gonzalez remarked in a news release. “High Proof is not just a new product; it is a personal and artistic expression inspired by my childhood memories of working alongside my father and grandfather in the agave fields of Mexico.”

Rumors of LALO High Proof have circulated through the spirits grapevine over the past year. A handful of tequila reviewers got their hands on an early iteration of the spirit, which at one point appears to have been proofed at 55% ABV. Now that we’ve seen the real thing, we can attest that the final design looks much the same as the usual bottle, albeit with black lettering switched out for gold.

The spirit contained within lives up to the hype and then some. We had a chance to taste the juice about a week ago and were blown away by its rich, viscous mouthfeel loaded with flavors of agave, grapefruit, lavender and black pepper. For our money, this is one of the best high-proofs to release this year right alongside stellar offerings from Tequila Ocho and Alto Canto. Check out our full review here.