Astral is made in Amatitán, in the lowland Tequila Valley of Jalisco, and the production choices behind it are more interesting than the price suggests. Two things set it apart. The first is tahona milling, the old method of crushing cooked agave under a heavy stone wheel rather than shredding it through a mechanical roller mill. A tahona works slowly and presses rather than tears, which extracts sugars more gently and carries more of the plant's character into the fermentation. The second is bagazo, the spent agave fiber left behind after milling. Astral returns that fiber to the fermentation tank rather than discarding it, so the wash ferments in contact with the agave itself. Both practices take considerably longer than the industrial route and both push in the same direction, toward a brighter and more agave forward spirit with more texture than a clean column distilled blanco. The agave is harvested at full ripeness and the tequila is bottled unaged at 40 percent alcohol by volume as a certified additive free spirit, meaning nothing has been added to soften or sweeten what came off the still. In the glass it is crystal clear. The nose is fresh cooked agave with crisp citrus and clover honey. The palate follows through with clean agave sweetness, lime and grapefruit, bright white pepper and a tropical fruit note, finishing crisp and herbal. It is genuinely versatile: clean enough to drink neat, and structured enough that a margarita made with it tastes like it was made with something. Astral also upcycles its spent agave fiber into adobe bricks used for building in Jalisco.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Mexico |
| Region |
Amatitán, Jalisco |
| Category |
Tequila |
| Expression |
Blanco |
| Agave |
100% Blue Weber Agave |
| Milling |
Tahona |
| Fermentation |
With agave fiber (bagazo) |
| Additives |
Stated additive free |
| Age |
Unaged |
| Bottling |
Distilled and bottled in Amatitán |
Tasting Notes
Color: Crystal clear, unaged with no wood contact.
Nose: Fresh cooked agave with crisp citrus and the sweet nectar of clover honey.
Palate: Clean agave sweetness up front, moving through lime and grapefruit into bright white pepper, with a tropical fruit note and soft herbal edge.
Finish: Crisp and balanced, closing on agave and citrus with a gentle peppery lift.
FAQ
What proof is Astral Blanco? It is bottled at 80 proof, or 40 percent alcohol by volume.
What is a tahona? A large stone wheel used to crush cooked agave. It presses rather than shreds, extracting sugars more gently than a mechanical roller mill and carrying more agave character into fermentation.
What is bagazo fermentation? Bagazo is the spent agave fiber left after milling. Astral returns it to the fermentation tank so the wash ferments in contact with the fiber, which adds depth and uses more of the plant.
Is it additive free? Astral is stated to be additive free, meaning no glycerin, sugar syrup, oak extract or coloring has been added after distillation.
Where is it made? In Amatitán, Jalisco, in the lowland Tequila Valley, where it is both distilled and bottled.
Where can I buy Astral Blanco Tequila online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
