Lalo Still Strength Blanco 750ML

Lalo Still Strength Blanco 750ML is a 100-proof (50% ABV) blanco tequila bottled directly from the still with no water added post-distillation. Named among VinePair's best tequilas of 2025, this distilled-to-proof expression captured the #1 selling position in the high-proof tequila segment during its initial market run according to Nielsen data.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Jalisco Highlands, Mexico  |  Style: Distilled-to-Proof Blanco  |  Distillery: NOM 1468 (Lalo Spirits)

Production & Heritage

Lalo Spirits is founded by Eduardo "Lalo" Gonzalez, a third-generation tequila maker rooted in Jalisco's Highland region. The Still Strength Blanco — also marketed as the High Proof edition — is produced from 100% Blue Weber agave, fermented with Champagne yeast and deep well water, then double-distilled and bottled at still proof without any water adjustment or post-distillation intervention. This approach preserves the spirit exactly as it exits the still, resulting in a denser, more texturally complex blanco than the brand's standard 40% ABV expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Green vegetal notes lead the nose, followed by spicy jalapeño, fresh mint, and a thread of white pepper. The higher proof amplifies the aromatics without any harsh alcohol burn.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and silky, opening with bold tropical fruit and a subtle sweetness from cooked agave. Mid-palate, earthy tones develop alongside olive brine and mouthwatering salinity, while citrus zing and a mineral hint of graphite emerge toward the peak.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with agave sweetness, peppery spice, and a persistent touch of salinity that lingers for several minutes. The herbaceous character carries through to the very end, a hallmark of the untouched distillate.

How to Drink Lalo Still Strength

Neat or with a single ice cube is the ideal starting point — the 50% ABV opens gradually with time in the glass, and a few drops of water coax out additional fruit and mineral complexity. Three cocktails that showcase its intensity:

• Margarita: The 100-proof backbone stands up to fresh lime and orange liqueur without being diluted into silence, delivering a margarita with genuine agave presence.
• Paloma: Grapefruit soda meets the spirit's citrus and saline qualities head-on, creating a Paloma with real structural depth.
• Oaxacan Old Fashioned (riff): Substitute this Still Strength for a standard blanco and pair it with a barspoon of mezcal and agave syrup — the proof carries smoky and vegetal notes without thinning out.

Best For

• Tequila enthusiasts seeking a full-proof, uncut blanco experience
• Home bartenders building cocktails that demand a high-proof agave spirit
• Gifting to someone who already knows and loves the standard Lalo Blanco
• Side-by-side tastings comparing proof impact on the same distillate

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lalo Still Strength taste like? Lalo Still Strength delivers bold tropical fruit, cooked agave, and white pepper up front, followed by olive brine, graphite minerality, and a long peppery-saline finish. The full 50% ABV gives it a dense, silky mouthfeel that standard-proof blancos rarely achieve.

How does Lalo Still Strength compare to Casamigos Blanco? Casamigos Blanco is bottled at 40% ABV and is known for a smooth, approachable profile designed for easy sipping, while Lalo Still Strength is bottled at 50% ABV with no water added post-distillation, resulting in significantly more body, complexity, and agave intensity. The two occupy very different segments — Casamigos targets casual drinkers, whereas Lalo Still Strength is built for those who want to taste the spirit as it comes off the still.

Is Lalo Still Strength good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 100-proof designation, the spirit is distilled to that strength rather than diluted upward, which typically produces a more integrated and less harsh alcohol sensation. A short rest in the glass and an optional drop of water open it further.

Where is Lalo Still Strength made? Lalo Still Strength is produced at NOM 1468, the Lalo Spirits distillery located in the Highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, Mexico, near Guadalajara. The Highland terroir contributes the sweeter, more fruit-forward agave character that defines the spirit.

What foods pair well with Lalo Still Strength? Ceviche with fresh lime and serrano chili mirrors its citrus and spice; grilled shrimp with chimichurri complements the herbaceous notes; aged Manchego cheese echoes the saline and mineral undertones; carne asada tacos with charred salsa stand up to its intensity; and dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the finish's lingering salinity.

What sizes does Lalo Still Strength come in? Lalo Still Strength Blanco is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Lalo Still Strength worth the price? Lalo Still Strength positions as a premium blanco within the high-proof tequila segment, and its distilled-to-proof production method — with zero water added — places it among a small group of blancos that deliver the spirit in its most unaltered form. For drinkers who value transparency of process and intensity of flavor, it represents strong value relative to other full-proof agave spirits.

Why Lalo Still Strength?

The defining feature here is the distilled-to-proof methodology: no water, no adjustments, and no dilution after the spirit leaves the still. That distinction is not just marketing — it means every molecule of flavor produced during fermentation and distillation arrives in the bottle intact. The use of Champagne yeast during fermentation adds a layer of refinement uncommon in the blanco category, contributing to the spirit's silky texture. Recognized by VinePair among 2025's best tequilas and backed by Nielsen's #1 high-proof tequila sales ranking, Lalo Still Strength has quickly established itself as a benchmark for what an uncut Highland blanco can deliver.