Tasting Tequila with Brad

Emblema Tequila review and interview with founders Jean Birlain and Alex Cardenas. This additive-free tequila focuses on Mexican history, culture, and traditional production methods. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I sit down with the founders of Emblema Tequila to break down the story behind one of the most unique new tequila brands on the market. Jean Birlain and Alex Cardenas shar...

Putting tequila in the freezer might make it smoother—but it actually kills the flavor. In this video, I break down the science behind why cold tequila tastes dull and what you should do instead. If you’ve ever wondered why your tequila tastes flat or muted, the answer comes down to aroma, temperature, and how your brain processes flavor. From volatility of aromatic compounds to how your nose affe...

What happens when a tequila cook goes wrong… and turns into the BEST blanco of the year? In this review, I break down House of Rare Founder’s Cut Blanco — a limited 777 bottle release that won Best in Show at ADI 2025. This is one of the most unique production stories I’ve seen in tequila. An oven shuts off mid-cook… Instead of dumping the batch… they keep going. The result? A 68-hour cook and one...

Tahona vs roller mill tequila—does extraction method REALLY change the flavor? In this blind tequila tasting, we put two tequilas made from the SAME agave, same cook, same fermentation, and same distillation to the test. The ONLY difference? Tahona vs roller mill extraction. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, we break down one of the biggest debates in tequila: does traditional tahona c...

Marcado 28 Reposado Review | Additive-Free Tequila Breakdown Is Marcado 28 Reposado just another celebrity tequila… or is this one actually legit? In this review, I break down everything you need to know about this additive-free reposado tequila—from production and aging to tasting notes and overall value. I also recently sat down with co-founders Michael Voltaggio and Bruno Barba, and that full i...

Stop Pairing Tequila With Spicy Food (Biggest Tequila Mistake Explained!) Stop pairing tequila with spicy food… it’s the biggest tequila mistake most people make. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I break down the best food pairings for tequila and explain why spicy foods can actually ruin your tasting experience. If you’ve ever wondered what to eat with tequila—this video will complet...

Celebrity Tequila Done RIGHT?! Marcado 28 Interview w/ Michael Voltaggio & Bruno Barba Marcado 28 Tequila Interview with Michael Voltaggio and Bruno Barba — is this celebrity tequila actually legit? In this deep dive, we break down production, flavor profile, agave sourcing, and what makes this tequila different. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I sit down with Top Chef winner Mic...

104 Proof Tequila?! This Underrated Blanco Will Shock You (Suerte Still Strength Review) Suerte Still Strength Blanco Tequila Review (104 Proof / 52% ABV). This high proof tequila is tahona crushed, additive-free, and packed with intense agave flavor. Is this the most underrated still strength tequila? In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I review Suerte Still Strength Blanco, a 104 proof...

Navy SEAL Owned Tequila… Is It Actually Good? | Emerald Spear Review Navy SEAL tequila review, Emerald Spear Tequila review, Emerald Spear Blanco, additive-free tequila, craft tequila review—today I break down a tequila brand founded by a Navy SEAL and whether it actually lives up to the hype. In this video, I review Emerald Spear Blanco Tequila and share full tasting notes including nose, palate,...

They DON’T Tell You This About Tequila Filtration… (It Changes Everything) Tequila filtration and resting explained. In this video, we break down how filtration methods like carbon filtration, chill filtration, and membrane filtration impact tequila flavor, aroma, and overall quality. Most tequila brands don’t talk about this—but it can completely change what ends up in your glass. After distillat...

This Tequila Aged in a Cherry Bitters Barrel… and They Waited 20 Months Cherry bitters barrel tequila, Terra de Ensueno 2026 Private Reserve, Tequila Collective single barrel, añejo tequila review—this might be one of the most unique tequila aging stories I’ve covered. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, we review a single barrel añejo tequila that was aged in a Woodford Reserve bourbon...

House Tequila vs Private Label Tequila (Most People Get This Wrong) Most tequila brands are NOT owned by the distillery. In this video, I break down house tequila vs private label tequila and why it completely changes how you buy tequila. If you’ve ever looked at a NOM number and thought you knew what you were getting… this video is going to change that. We’re diving into: • What house tequila rea...

Fortaleza vs Cascahuín vs Siempre vs Primo in a true blind reposado tequila tasting… and the results were shocking. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I put four of the most talked-about additive-free reposado tequilas head-to-head with no labels, no bias—just pure tasting. If you’ve ever wondered which reposado tequila is actually the best, this blind test might completely change your...

Navy SEAL tequila? In this interview with Nick Betts, we break down Emerald Spear Tequila, made at NOM 1414 with Sergio Cruz—plus tasting notes, story, and what makes it unique. Navy SEAL tequila… but is it actually good? In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I sit down with Nick Betts to break down the story behind Emerald Spear Tequila—a veteran-owned brand made at NOM 1414 by Sergio Cru...

Cazcanes No. 10 review – one of the best high proof tequilas at 54% ABV. This still strength blanco tequila is additive-free, traditionally made, and packed with agave flavor. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I break down Cazcanes No. 10 Blanco (54% ABV) — a high proof tequila that delivers bold flavor without losing balance. After recently interviewing JP from Cazcanes, I gained a de...

Single barrel tequila tastes different—but why? In this video, we break down what single barrel tequila is, how it’s made, and why every bottle can have a unique flavor profile compared to blended tequila. Most tequilas are blended to create consistency. But single barrel tequila comes from just ONE barrel, meaning the flavor is influenced by aging conditions, barrel placement, and natural variati...

Does Tequila Make You Skinny? The Truth About Calories & Fat Loss Does tequila make you skinny? In this video we break down the tequila weight loss myth, tequila calories, fat burning, and whether tequila is actually healthier than other alcohols. Everybody says tequila is the “healthy alcohol”… but is that actually true? In this video, we separate fact from fiction and break down: • The truth...

Alto Canto Tequila Review - 9,000 Foot Altitude Secret Tequila made at 9,000 feet?! In this Alto Canto Blanco review, we break down how high altitude fermentation, traditional methods, and wild conditions impact flavor, aroma, and overall quality. Alto Canto Blanco is one of the most unique tequilas I’ve come across. Produced using traditional methods like brick oven cooking, tahona extraction, an...

Revisiting Cabo Wabo After Years | Honest Tequila Review Cabo Wabo Reposado review, Sammy Hagar tequila review, Cabo Wabo tequila 2026, is Cabo Wabo still good, Cabo Wabo NOM 1440, tequila review honest review. Cabo Wabo was one of the tequilas that got me into the game back in 2003… but after ownership changes and distillery moves, is it still worth drinking? In this review, I break down everythi...

Is Tequila REALLY Vegan? Gluten Free… But There’s a Catch Is tequila gluten free and vegan? In this video, we break down tequila additives, glycerin in tequila, and whether tequila is truly vegan or gluten free so you know what you’re drinking. Most people assume tequila is naturally clean—but there are some things the labels don’t tell you. From glycerin additives to CRT regulations and dry extra...

I Interviewed the CO-OWNER of Cazcanes Tequila… Here’s What You Didn’t Know Cazcanes Tequila review, Cazcanes interview, additive free tequila, high proof tequila, how tequila is made, tequila distillery process—today I sit down with the co-owner of Cazcanes Tequila to break it all down. In this episode of Tasting Tequila with Brad, I sit down with Jon-Paul Fortunati, co-owner of Cazcanes Tequila,...

This Tequila Uses 4 Types of Oak… Here’s What Happened Mijenta Symphony Series No. 3 review, Mijenta tequila review, Symphony Series tequila, NOM 1499 tequila, additive free tequila, añejo tequila review, high proof tequila. Mijenta Symphony Series No. 3 just dropped, and this might be one of the most unique barrel-aged tequilas of 2026. This special release is aged for 18 months in custom “sympho...

Lost Lore Valley Blanco Review | 96 Proof Valley Tequila vs Highland Flavor Lost Lore Valley Blanco review, 96 proof tequila, Valley vs Highland tequila differences, additive free tequila, NOM 1414 Vivanco tequila, high proof blanco tequila. Most Lost Lore tequila comes from the Highlands… but this bottle comes from the Valley — and it completely changes the flavor. In this review, I break down Lo...

This Tequila Brand Has a Secret History | Legacy 71 Blanco Review Legacy 71 Blanco Tequila review. This additive-free highlands tequila has a secret history tied to Don Julio heritage and is made using traditional methods with estate-grown agave. Is Legacy 71 a hidden gem? In this video, I break down everything you need to know about Legacy 71 Blanco — from the story behind Felipe González and his...

Tequila distillation explained—how tequila is made using pot still vs column still. Learn how distillation affects flavor, alcohol content, and why some tequilas taste better than others. In this video, we break down the tequila distillation process step by step, including how alcohol is separated, what happens during heads, hearts, and tails, and the key differences between traditional copper pot...