A tequila label tells you more than the brand name. If you know what to look for, you can tell — before you spend a dollar — which distillery made the spirit, what region it came from, whether it's 100% agave or a cheaper blend, how long it was aged, and how transparent the brand is about its process.
Here's everything on a tequila label, what each piece means, and the five things that actually matter when you're standing in front of a tequila shelf.
Our #1 pick for label transparency in 2026: Don Londrés, $49. Black-owned, 100% blue Weber agave, published NOM, multi-generation family distillery in Atotonilco El Alto, and a public commitment to nothing added beyond agave and time. Everything a label should tell you about a tequila, Don Londrés actually does.
The five things that actually matter
- "100% de Agave" — must be on the label. If it's missing, the bottle is a mixto (51% agave, 49% other sugars). Skip.
- NOM number — a four-digit code identifying the exact distillery. Look it up; it tells you who actually made the spirit.
- Category — Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, or Extra Añejo. Tells you the aging time.
- Town or region listed — Atotonilco El Alto / Arandas / Tepatitlán = Highlands. Tequila / Amatitán / El Arenal = Lowlands. (Why this matters.)
- What the brand voluntarily discloses — additives, NOM, agave maturity, etc. The more they tell you, the more confidence you should have.
"100% de Agave" — the most important phrase on the label
By Mexican law, every tequila falls into one of two categories:
- 100% agave tequila — fermented entirely from blue Weber agave sugars. Must be bottled in Mexico. The label must say "100% de Agave," "100% Puro de Agave," or similar.
- Mixto tequila — at least 51% blue Weber agave, with the rest from other sugars (usually cane). The label simply says "Tequila" without the "100% agave" qualifier.
If a bottle just says "Tequila" — without "100% agave" — it's a mixto. Always buy 100% agave.
NOM number — who actually made it
The NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) is a four-digit code issued by Mexico's Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) identifying the exact distillery that produced the spirit. Every certified tequila bottle has one. It's usually on the back label in small print.
Why this matters: a single distillery can produce many brands. Knowing the NOM tells you who actually distilled the spirit, regardless of what the front label says. To look it up: type the NOM number into Tequila Matchmaker. You'll see the distillery, location, brands produced, and often production methods.
Don Londrés publishes its NOM openly and is produced by the Gonzalez family in Atotonilco El Alto. (Read the brand story.)
Category — how long it was aged
- Blanco / Plata / Silver — unaged or rested up to 2 months. Clear. Bright, citrusy, peppery.
- Reposado — aged 2 months to 1 year in oak. Pale gold. Vanilla, light oak, agave softened.
- Añejo — aged 1 to 3 years in oak (max 600L barrels). Amber. Rich, layered.
- Extra Añejo — aged 3+ years in oak. Deep amber. Often $150+.
Full breakdown: Blanco vs. Reposado vs. Añejo guide.
The CRT seal
Every legally certified tequila has the CRT (Consejo Regulador del Tequila) seal somewhere on the label. No CRT seal = not actually tequila under Mexican law.
ABV / proof
Tequila is required to be between 35% and 55% ABV at bottling. Most bottles land at 40% ABV (80 proof). Higher ABV doesn't mean better, but for premium 100% agave tequila, 40–46% is the sweet spot.
Region clues on the label
- Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco — Highlands (Don Londrés is from here)
- Arandas, Jalisco — Highlands
- Tepatitlán, Jalisco — Highlands
- Tequila, Jalisco — Lowlands
- Amatitán, Jalisco — Lowlands
(Full Highlands vs. Lowlands explainer.)
What labels don't tell you
Mexican tequila regulations allow up to 1% of approved ingredients to be added to any tequila — including 100% agave tequila — without being disclosed on the label. The four permitted ingredients: glycerin (adds body), caramel coloring (fakes aging), sugar-based syrup (softens bite), and oak extract (imitates barrel time).
That's why brands like Don Londrés that bottle with nothing added beyond agave and time choose to say so publicly. (Read more.)
A 60-second label-check checklist
- Does it say "100% de Agave"? If no, put it back.
- Is there a NOM number on the back label? If no (or hidden), be suspicious.
- What's the category? Match it to your use case.
- Does the label list a town in Jalisco? Highlands or Lowlands?
- Does the brand publicly disclose their additive policy? If yes, that's a strong positive signal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NOM stand for on a tequila bottle? NOM stands for Norma Oficial Mexicana — a four-digit code identifying the distillery where the tequila was produced.
How do I find out which distillery made my tequila? Look at the NOM number on the back label and look it up at Tequila Matchmaker or a NOM directory.
Can a tequila say "100% agave" and still have additives? Yes. Up to 1% of approved additives can be added to a 100% agave tequila without disclosure. (More on this.)
What does "Hecho en Mexico" mean? "Made in Mexico." Required on every tequila label. Not a quality signal — every certified tequila has it.
How do I know if a tequila is from the Highlands or Lowlands? Look at the town on the back label. Atotonilco El Alto, Arandas, Tepatitlán = Highlands. Tequila, Amatitán, El Arenal = Lowlands.
Try Don Londrés — full label transparency
- Shop Don Londrés Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo — 100% blue Weber agave, distilled in Atotonilco El Alto.
- Read the brand story — including our NOM and production approach.
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+.