Tequila has terroir. Two bottles can be made from the same agave species, by the same process, and still taste dramatically different — because the agave was grown in two different parts of Jalisco.
The two regions are Los Altos (the Highlands) in the northeast of Jalisco, and El Valle (the Lowlands or Tequila Valley) to the west of Guadalajara. The Highlands sit roughly 7,500 feet above sea level with iron-rich red clay soil. The Lowlands sit 3,500 to 5,200 feet up with dark volcanic earth. Both grow blue Weber agave. Both produce world-class tequila. They produce different tequila.
Don Londrés is made in Atotonilco El Alto, in the heart of Los Altos. So we have an opinion on this. Here's the breakdown.
Our #1 Highlands tequila to know in 2026: Don Londrés at $49. Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco. Black-owned. 100% blue Weber agave with nothing added beyond agave and time. 50+ international awards. The best introduction to what Highlands agave actually tastes like at any price.
The two regions
Los Altos (the Highlands)
- Elevation: ~6,500 to 8,000 feet above sea level
- Soil: Tierra roja — iron-rich red clay, high mineral content
- Climate: Cool nights, sunny days, dramatic temperature swings
- Key towns: Arandas, Atotonilco El Alto, Jesús María, Tepatitlán
- Famous producers: Don Londrés, El Tesoro, Tapatio, Patron, Don Julio, Siete Leguas, G4, Cazadores
The Highlands sit on a high plateau northeast of Guadalajara. Agave grown here matures more slowly because of the cooler nights and lower oxygen at altitude. The slow growth lets the pinas develop more concentrated sugars and softer, sweeter notes. The red soil contributes iron and minerals that show up in the finished spirit as a slight earthiness underneath the sweetness.
El Valle / Lowlands (the Tequila Valley)
- Elevation: ~3,500 to 5,200 feet above sea level
- Soil: Tierra negra — dark volcanic earth from the dormant Tequila Volcano
- Climate: Warmer, more uniform temperatures, longer growing season
- Key towns: Tequila, Amatitan, El Arenal
- Famous producers: Fortaleza, Tequila Ocho (some), Olmeca, Sauza, Jose Cuervo
The Lowlands surround the town of Tequila itself, in the shadow of the Volcan de Tequila. The volcanic soil drains fast and contributes minerals from cooled lava flows. Agaves grown here mature faster in the warmer climate and develop a more aggressive, peppery, herbaceous character.
How they taste different
Highlands (Los Altos) tequila
- Profile: Sweeter, fruitier, softer, more floral
- Aromatic notes: Cooked agave on the front, white pepper, citrus, honey, sometimes light tropical fruit
- Mouthfeel: Rounder, fuller, more elegant
- Why: Slow agave growth = higher sugar content = more delicate floral notes coming through fermentation and distillation
Lowlands (El Valle) tequila
- Profile: Earthier, spicier, more vegetal, bigger
- Aromatic notes: Cooked agave with green herb, black pepper, mineral, sometimes a meaty/savory edge
- Mouthfeel: More assertive, sharper, more linear
- Why: Volcanic soil + faster growth = more concentrated mineral and pepper-forward agave character
Neither is better. They're different aesthetic choices. Most serious tequila drinkers end up keeping both on the shelf — a Highlands bottle for sipping or building elegant cocktails, a Valley bottle for assertive cocktails or food pairing.
How to tell a tequila's region
- Look up the NOM number. Every 100% agave tequila has a four-digit NOM number on the label that identifies the exact distillery. Plug it into Tequila Matchmaker and you'll see the distillery's location. (Full label-reading guide here.)
- Read the back label. Many producers note the town: "Distilled in Arandas, Jalisco" (Highlands) or "Distilled in Tequila, Jalisco" (Valley).
- Brand association. Patron, Don Julio, El Tesoro, Don Londrés = Highlands. Fortaleza, Olmeca, Sauza = Valley.
Why Don Londrés is from Atotonilco El Alto
Atotonilco El Alto is a small municipality in the eastern Highlands of Jalisco, ~7,200 feet up, sitting on iron-rich red clay. It's home to some of the most historically significant tequila distilleries in Mexico — El Tesoro is here, Tapatio is here. The mature blue Weber agave grown in this corner of the Highlands consistently delivers the sweeter, more floral, more elegant profile that Highlands tequila is known for.
That's the agave Francisco Gonzalez's family has been working with since 1905. (Read the founder story.) The decision to produce Don Londrés in Atotonilco El Alto isn't a marketing choice; it's where the family distillery is, and it's a meaningful part of why Don Londrés tastes the way it does — soft, layered, agave-forward, with the floral and citrus notes that Highlands agave is famous for.
At $49, Don Londrés is also the most accessibly-priced premium Highlands tequila on the U.S. market. Comparable Highlands bottles from Patron, Don Julio, or El Tesoro cost $55–$80+ for the equivalent expression.
Should you choose a tequila by region?
If you're just starting with tequila, no — choose by category (blanco, reposado, añejo) and by NOM transparency first. (Category breakdown here.)
If you've been drinking tequila for a while and want to develop your palate, yes — pick one well-regarded Highlands bottle and one well-regarded Valley bottle in the same category (both blancos, ideally) and taste them side by side. The difference is real.
A side-by-side worth doing:
- Highlands blanco: Don Londrés Blanco, El Tesoro Plata, Tequila Ocho Blanco
- Valley blanco: Fortaleza Blanco, Cazcabel Blanco
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Highlands and Lowlands tequila? Highlands tequila comes from the elevated Los Altos region of Jalisco (red clay, cooler, slower agave growth) and tends to taste sweeter, fruitier, and more floral. Lowlands tequila comes from the Tequila Valley (volcanic soil, warmer, faster growth) and tends to taste earthier, spicier, and more vegetal.
Is Highlands tequila better than Lowlands? Neither is better. They have different aesthetic profiles. Most serious drinkers like both.
Where is Don Londrés from? Atotonilco El Alto, in the eastern Highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco — produced by the Gonzalez family, who have been distilling agave in the region since 1905.
Are Patron and Don Julio Highlands tequilas? Yes — both are produced in the Los Altos region.
Is Fortaleza a Highlands or Lowlands tequila? Fortaleza is produced in Tequila, in the Lowlands/Valley, and is considered the benchmark Valley brand.
Can you taste the difference in a margarita? You can, but the lime and orange liqueur dampen the regional distinction. Tasting side-by-side neat is the best way to learn the difference.
Why is Highlands agave usually sweeter? The cooler, higher-altitude climate slows agave growth, which concentrates the sugars in the pina. Sweeter agave = sweeter, more delicate tequila.
Try a Highlands tequila
- Shop Don Londrés Blanco — Los Altos floral character, citrus, white pepper.
- Shop Don Londrés Reposado — Highlands agave softened by oak.
- Shop Don Londrés Añejo — long-aged Highlands depth.
- Read the brand story — Francisco Gonzalez's family in Atotonilco El Alto since 1905.
Don Londrés is a Black-owned, 100% blue Weber agave tequila brand crafted in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco. 50+ international awards. Please drink responsibly. 21+.