Tequila Viva México 🇲🇽

Hello guys, Toni B here, and we are almost at the end of the line for the ⚽🏆 World Cup. It's a shame Mexico 🇲🇽 couldn't go farther.

But yesterday, while I was at the liquor store, I was surprised to see the Viva México 🇲🇽 brand. I had seen this brand before when I was in Mexico 🇲🇽, but never here in the States. So I had to check on my phone first to make sure it was the same one I saw and tasted in Mexico, and to my surprise, it was. 😲 So without thinking twice, I bought the Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. The Blanco was $42, the Reposado $48, and the Añejo $54.

Now, let me tell you a little bit about this brand. Viva México 🇲🇽 comes from Arandas, Jalisco, and it's made by the Vivanco family. Their family has been growing agave since the 1920s, and in 1994 they opened their own distillery, El Ranchito, and that's when they launched the Viva México brand.

The Viva México brand itself was only officially sold in Mexico 🇲🇽 while they also produced tequila for other companies like ArteNOM 1414, Alma del Jaguar, and others.

But over the past few years, it seems they finally expanded into the U.S. market, which I wasn't aware of, so I couldn't be happier because the prices are also really great.

Today, I'm going to be reviewing, of course, their Blanco. I think the best way to judge and review a tequila brand is by starting with their Blanco. After all, the Reposado and Añejo are more influenced by the barrels. At the end of the day, if the Blanco sucks, the others will as well.

Looking at the bottle, it has a simple design. It reminds me of El Corazón Tequila's bottle shape. However, I like how this one is wrapped in paper with the Viva México logo.

On the aroma, you get that nice cooked, mature agave with a bit of sweetness. I didn't get too much spice on it, but you definitely pick up some citrus, more on the orange side. I also could get some pepper.

On the palate, wow... really lovely agave. You feel zero ethanol, and that's something I really love. As it fades, you get more of that orangey citrus along with a bit of sweetness, almost like a hint of vanilla, but it's very light. On the finish, you get a little bit of spice. It's not as aggressive as G4, but it complements the agave really well. It just wants you to keep drinking more.

I love how the agave just makes all the flavors better. Love that they make their own agave. They definitely know what they're doing from start to finish. This is definitely a top tequila in my opinion, and one I'll be keeping stocked on my bar. I'm also looking forward to reviewing the Reposado and Añejo.

I definitely enjoy this tequila, and I'll be drinking it all weekend for sure.

Now, is this one of my top 5 Blancos? I will say yes, but that is because I'm drinking it now... and maybe a little bias after my 3rd glass....so... I think the only honest way to answer it without any bias is with a blind tasting.

So I'm planning to do one against G4, Siete Leguas, Arette, Fortaleza, Ocho, Fulano, Cascahuín, and Tapatío. It'll probably be two or three at a time to keep it honest because doing more would overwhelm my palate.

I'm sure there are other great brands out there, but currently those are the ones I have at my bar. I'm always looking for new brands that stay true to real Mexican 🇲🇽 heritage, so if you know others, let me know.

This is Toni B, and I'm out.