Patron Dropped a New 100-Proof Tequila That’s Perfect for Cocktails


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Here in the U.S., tequila must be bottled at a minimum 80 proof, or 40 percent ABV. But a number of brands have been releasing stronger tequilas that are bottled at much higher proofs, and the latest to join this growing category is Patrón.

Patrón is an ultra-premium tequila brand that was founded in 1989 and has become a staple at bars, clubs, and restaurants since then. It’s now owned by Bacardi, and the lineup has seen some additions and subtractions over the past few years. The latest to join the portfolio is Patrón 100, a tequila that is distilled to proof and bottled at 100 proof or 50 percent ABV, which means the tequila is not diluted with water before bottling. It’s also produced using a tahona, or volcanic stone, to crush the agave before fermentation, a traditional practice that Patrón doesn’t use for all of its expressions. And, while the CRT (Mexico’s tequila regulating authority) has cracked down brands advertising this, Patrón says (without actually saying this) that the tequila is additive free, made from just “agave, water, yeast—and nothing else.”

This higher proof version of Patrón is really geared toward cocktails, because an 80-proof expression can sometimes get lost in the mix when combined with other ingredients like fresh citrus, amaro, or orange liqueur. “High proof should mean high performance, not harshness,” said master distiller David Rodriguez in a statement. “With Patrón 100, we focused on building more depth and structure while keeping the balanced profile people expect from our tequilas. At 100 proof, the agave profile can really shine through, standing up beautifully to minerality and dilution in cocktails. This is a tequila built for bartenders who want bold, high-character flavor that still feels refined.” That being said, this is also a blanco that people might want to sip neat or over some ice, as the lack of dilution really allows the flavors of cooked agave, citrus, grass, and pepper to pop.

As mentioned earlier, this is not the only higher proof tequila that you can find. Some other examples include Lalo High Proof (100 proof) El Tequileño Still Strength (100 proof), Fortaleza Still Strength (92 proof), Suerte (104 proof), and Cazcanes No. 10 (one of the strongest at 108 proof). Of course, the point is not to just drink a tequila that packs a bigger punch, but to enjoy one that maintains its character and flavor—even with more alcohol than usual—that can be sipped or mixed into a drink. And in that, Patrón has succeeded. You can find Patrón 100 now at bars and stores around the country (SRP $50), and at websites like Total Wine.





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