Updated March 2026.
Blanco (plata / silver) is a CRT age class — unaged or only briefly rested — not a proof class and not a brand list. Tequila must be 35–55% ABV; most US blancos print 40%. A 1.5-ounce 40% pour is one NIAAA standard drink. “Best blanco” is 100% agave if you want agave, not a 2022 top-15 tasting. Mixto can legally say tequila if ≥51% agave sugars.
The NOM on the back is the distillery. Related: tequila types, silver vs gold, margarita tequila.
What blanco actually means
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 100% agave vs mixto | Mixto may use up to 49% other sugars |
| NOM four digits | Producer. SKUs change contractors |
| ABV | CRT 35–55%. US often 40%. 50%+ sipping SKUs exist |
| Gold / joven | Not blanco. Often color + mixtogold vs silver |
| Typical 100% bottles | Olmeca Altos, Espolòn, Herradura Silver, Milagro Silver, many others — distribution, not scores |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four shots are four drinks. NIAAA binge pattern is a health line, not a target. No 2026 MSRP. Pour math: tequila drinks.
Sources
- CRT / NOM-006 blanco class; 27 CFR 5.148; 35–55% ABV band.
- NIAAA (December 2025). No invented ranking or MSRP.