Cristalino is the latest up-and-coming ultra-premium tequila offering taking North America by storm. With the crystal- clear appearance of a silver tequila and the complex flavor profile of a well-aged añejo, cristalino tequila is challenging expectations and perceptions of tequila expressions across the industry.
The cristalino category was created to showcase the smooth mouthfeel and richer flavor of aged expressions in a crystal-clear presentation that is normally only found in unaged blanco/silver tequilas. As consumers learn about the category, demand for cristalino expressions has risen in recent years, making it one of the fastest-growing styles of tequila in the United States and Mexico. This take on the world’s most popular agave spirit may someday even become an officially recognized category, joining blanco/silver, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and ultra añejo — and the creative pioneers at PATRÓN Tequila are perfecting the process.
Typical cristalino production involves filtering an oak-aged añejo through activated charcoal. To be designated as an añejo, tequila must be aged for at least 12 months in oak barrels. During the aging process, the liquid turns a characteristic amber hue, takes on a complex flavor profile containing sweet notes like caramel and vanilla, and develops a smoother mouthfeel. Filtering the añejo through activated charcoal removes the amber color and gives cristalino its namesake crystalline clarity while maintaining the flavors imparted through aging.
Never ones to shy from innovation, PATRÓN has perfected tequila’s newest offering through its own revolutionary production process. Like all PATRÓN tequilas, crafting a batch of PATRÓN CRISTALINO begins with three simple ingredients: 100 percent Weber Blue agave, water, and yeast harvested from the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, with zero additives. After harvesting, the heart of the agave plant is baked to release its natural sugars before being crushed, fermented, and distilled.
And now, this next step is where PATRÓN Tequila’s creative expertise really shines.
Since a cristalino is a filtered añejo, PATRÓN believes a cristalino can only be as good as the añejo it is made from. This is why PATRÓN uses only the finest añejo to make its cristalino — a blend of four tequilas, each aged in a different type of oak barrel. This allows each cask to individually impart its unique characteristics into the tequila before blending. Once blended, an añejo with incredible depth and complexity is crafted. This special añejo is then filtered through activated wood charcoal where the color is removed, but the richness of the wood aging and authentic agave flavor remains. The result is a multi-dimensional, crystal-clear tequila with a velvet finish that is perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks.
Every bottle of PATRÓN CRISTALINO is a visual testament to the brand’s belief in transparency. The Tequila Regulatory Council allows up to 1 percent of additives in tequila, even those labeled as “100 percent agave.” However, since its inception in 1989, PATRÓN has been proudly additive-free, never adding any extra sugar, color, or flavor to its tequilas. At PATRÓN, the secret ingredient is that there are no secret ingredients. They believe that good tequila should speak for itself without adding anything. Therefore, PATRÓN CRISTALINO carries on PATRÓN Tequila’s uncompromising tradition of crafting premium and ultra-premium tequilas with zero additives.
PATRÓN released the first bottles of PATRÓN CRISTALINO in September 2024, deciding not to rush a release simply to follow trends. Instead, PATRÓN took its time to perfect it through its meticulous production process — a true testament to its long-standing ethos of blending tradition with innovation. From growing the finest Weber Blue agave to baking the piñas and waiting patiently during the añejo barrel-aging processes, PATRÓN believes crafting the perfect tequila takes time. With its commitment to time-honored production practices and insistence on high quality standards with no additives, PATRÓN has crafted a cristalino that was more than worth the wait.
When times call for evolution, innovators like PATRÓN answer the call. PATRÓN CRISTALINO proves nothing is too new or too old to be reinvented. For PATRÓN, it’s a crystal-clear, transparent path to perfection.
This article is sponsored by PATRÓN Tequila.
