Olmeca Altos Plata 1.75L

Olmeca Altos Plata 1.75L is a 100% blue agave blanco tequila bottled at 40% ABV in a 1.75-liter format. Awarded 93 points by the Beverage Testing Institute and a Gold Medal from the International Review of Spirits, this expression stands out for its dual-distillation process that blends traditional tahona and modern roller-mill distillates into a single, layered spirit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico  |  Blanco (Unaged)  |  Distillery: Destilería Colonial de Jalisco (NOM 1111)

Production & Heritage

Destilería Colonial de Jalisco, operating under NOM 1111 and owned by Pernod Ricard, produces Altos Plata at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level in the highland Los Altos region of Jalisco. The agaves are handpicked and slow-roasted in traditional Mampostería masonry ovens before being processed through two separate methods: one batch is crushed by a volcanic stone tahona wheel, an ancient technique that extracts deep agave character by distilling with the crushed fibers still present, while the second batch runs through a modern roller mill for a cleaner, more neutral distillate. The two are then blended together, marrying the rich, earthy complexity of the tahona spirit with the brightness and precision of the roller-mill distillate — a dual-process approach that is uncommon at this price tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted agave leads the nose, followed by citrus peel, white pepper, and a trace of brine. The Beverage Testing Institute identified more nuanced top notes of date pastry, peppered cucumber, and dried pineapple and plantain.

Taste: The entry is soft and slightly sweet, opening with lime and cooked agave before green, grassy notes develop across the mid-palate. Spice and sea salt build toward the peak, giving the liquid a silky, medium-to-full body that the BTI described as "dry-yet-fruity."

Finish: The finish carries moderate length with a snap of mineral, cream, and green peppercorn. A subtle char-grilled green pepper character lingers alongside clean agave.

How to Drink Altos Plata

Altos Plata works well chilled or at room temperature to appreciate its roasted agave and citrus character; a single ice cube opens up the pepper and mineral notes without diluting the body. Its dual-distillate profile makes it an exceptionally versatile cocktail tequila.

• Margarita: The lime-forward palate and peppery snap cut through triple sec and fresh citrus without disappearing.
• Paloma: Roasted agave and brine hold their ground against grapefruit soda, adding depth that simpler blancos lack.
• Ranch Water: The mineral finish and clean agave backbone complement sparkling water and lime for a refreshing highball.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for regular margarita and cocktail mixing
• Hosting parties or gatherings where a high-volume, quality blanco is needed
• Introducing friends to 100% blue agave tequila at an accessible entry point
• Tasting side-by-side with a tahona-only blanco to explore production differences

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Altos Plata taste like? Altos Plata delivers roasted agave, fresh lime, and white pepper up front, followed by grassy and mineral notes on a silky, medium-to-full body. The finish is crisp with green peppercorn and a light creaminess.

How does Altos Plata compare to Espolòn Blanco? Both are 100% blue agave blancos in a similar price range, but Altos Plata uses a tahona-and-roller-mill blend that tends to produce a fuller body and more pronounced cooked-agave character. Espolòn Blanco, produced at a different Jalisco distillery, generally leans brighter and more citrus-driven with a lighter mouthfeel.

Is Altos Plata good for cocktails? Yes — its combination of roasted agave depth from the tahona distillate and clean citrus brightness from the roller-mill distillate makes it one of the most frequently recommended blancos for margaritas and other agave cocktails. The 1.75L format is particularly suited for regular cocktail use.

Where is Altos Plata made? Altos Plata is produced at Destilería Colonial de Jalisco (NOM 1111) in the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, at approximately 7,000 feet above sea level. The distillery is owned by Pernod Ricard.

What foods pair well with Altos Plata? Ceviche complements the citrus and brine notes; grilled shrimp tacos echo the char-grilled pepper undertones; fresh guacamole mirrors the grassy, herbaceous mid-palate; aged Manchego cheese matches the mineral and cream finish; and spicy jicama salad with chili and lime amplifies the tequila's peppery character.

What sizes does Altos Plata come in? Altos Plata is commonly available in 750ml and 1.75L bottles, with 1L and 375ml sizes seen in select markets.

Is Altos Plata worth the price? Altos Plata positions as an entry-level to mid-range 100% blue agave blanco, and its use of a tahona-blended distillate — a technique more commonly found in higher-priced bottles — gives it strong value standing. Its 93-point BTI score and Gold Medal reinforce that the liquid punches above its price tier.

Why Altos Plata?

The defining feature of this tequila is the dual-process production: blending a tahona-crushed distillate with a roller-mill distillate is a step most producers at this price point skip entirely, yet it adds measurable complexity to the final spirit. The 93-point score from the Beverage Testing Institute and a Gold Medal from the International Review of Spirits confirm that the approach translates into the glass. Highland agave grown at 7,000 feet tends to develop higher sugar content, which contributes to the fuller body and sweeter roasted-agave aromatics. In the crowded blanco category, Altos Plata earns its reputation by delivering tahona character at a fraction of the cost of single-process tahona tequilas.