an “additive-free” mezcal reaches the bottle with only cooked agave, water and what fermentation and distillation produce: no coloring, sweeteners, glycerin or flavorings. Tequila rules allow up to 1% of certain additives (“abocado”); for mezcal, NOM-070 requires any added ingredient to be declared on the label under the class “Abocado con”. Reading the class and ingredients is the best clue.
Which additives are used in agave spirits?
The four best known are the ones Mexico's tequila standard (NOM-006-SCFI-2012) allows in the abocado process, up to 1% of total weight:
| Additive | Used for |
|---|---|
| Caramel color | An “aged” color |
| Oak extract | Mimicking barrel notes |
| Glycerin | A softer, oilier mouthfeel |
| Sugar-based syrup | Sweetening and smoothing |
In small amounts, these do not have to appear on a tequila label.
What about mezcal?
NOM-070-SCFI-2016 defines classes such as Blanco or Joven, Madurado en vidrio, Reposado, Añejo, Abocado con and Destilado con. When ingredients are added directly to mezcal (for example, agave worm, damiana, fruit), the class must be “Abocado con” and the ingredient declared. That is why a mezcal label tells you more than a tequila label.
How to spot an honest mezcal
- Read the class: “Blanco or Joven” means it was not aged or flavored.
- Look for “100% agave” and the species: for example, Espadín or Tepeztate.
- Check the category: Mezcal, Mezcal Artesanal or Mezcal Ancestral.
- Be wary of color in a joven: a young mezcal should be clear.
- Taste it: cloying sweetness or an overly thick texture can signal sweeteners or glycerin.
Why does it matter?
Without additives, what you taste is the agave, the oven, the fermentation and the maestro's hand. That is why two mezcals from the same agave can taste different: each batch reflects its place and process.
How this applies to ZUNTE
ZUNTE is an additive-free mezcal: its only ingredients are agave and water. It is a white mezcal handmade in San Luis del Río from 100% Espadín, stone oven, tahona, wood fermentation and copper still. Its color is clear with platinum tones, as described in its product sheet. ZUNTE and ZUNTE Gold are certified in the Mezcal Artesanal category by COMERCAM (Consejo Mexicano Regulador de la Calidad del Mezcal, A.C.).
FAQ
Is the worm in the bottle an additive?
If it is added to the mezcal, NOM-070 treats it as an ingredient and the class must be “Abocado con”.
Does a dark mezcal have additives?
Not necessarily; if it is reposado or añejo, color comes from the barrel. A joven should have no color.
Are there “additive-free” certifications?
There are private verification programs, mostly for tequila; they are not part of the official standard.
Sources
- NOM-006-SCFI-2012, Alcoholic beverages – Tequila – Specifications (abocado, 1%). DOF.
- NOM-070-SCFI-2016, Alcoholic beverages – Mezcal – Specifications (classes and labeling). DOF.
- ZUNTE Mezcal. Product sheets, zuntemezcal.com.
