Two categories
The category tells you what the tequila is made from.
- Tequila 100% Agave — all fermentable sugars come from blue agave. Must be bottled under the authorized producer's control, inside the protected territory.
- Tequila — at least 51% of total reducing sugars must come from blue agave. Up to 49% may come from permitted non-agave sugars added before fermentation.
Five official classes
The class tells you how the tequila has been aged (or not).
- Blanco or Plata — generally unaged; may rest less than two months in oak or encino oak.
- Joven or Oro — a blend of Blanco with an aged tequila, or a Blanco softened through permitted mellowing ingredients.
- Reposado — aged at least two months in direct contact with oak or encino oak.
- Añejo — aged at least one year in oak or encino oak containers no larger than 600 liters.
- Extra Añejo — aged at least three years in oak or encino oak containers no larger than 600 liters.
About Cristalino
Cristalino is not an official class under NOM-006-SCFI-2012. It is a commercial style — typically an aged tequila (often Reposado, Añejo, or Extra Añejo) that has been filtered to remove color while retaining aromatic and flavor compounds acquired during maturation.
Agave Atlas surfaces Cristalino as a market descriptor, not as a regulatory class.
Categories vs. classes
Category
What it's made from.
- Tequila 100% Agave
- Tequila
Class
How it's aged (or not).
- Blanco / Plata
- Joven / Oro
- Reposado
- Añejo
- Extra Añejo