Tequila · Explainer
What is the difference between blanco, reposado and añejo tequila?
The Mexican standard NOM-006-SCFI-2012 sets the maturation. Blanco is not matured, or for less than two months. Reposado matures at least two months on oak. Añejo matures at least one year in casks of at most 600 litres, extra añejo at least three years in casks of the same size. According to that standard, tequila contains 35 to 55 percent alcohol by volume.
In brief
The key figures
| Standard | NOM-006-SCFI-2012, Bebidas alcohólicas, Tequila |
|---|---|
| Blanco or plata | not matured or matured for less than two months |
| Reposado | at least 2 months on oak |
| Añejo | at least 1 year, cask of at most 600 litres |
| Extra añejo | at least 3 years, cask of at most 600 litres |
| Joven or oro | blanco blended with aged tequila or with permitted additives |
| Alcohol content | 35 to 55 percent by volume at 20 degrees Celsius |
| Dutch classification | spirits from 15 percent by volume, sale from age 18 |
How long must reposado mature?
According to NOM-006-SCFI-2012, reposado matures for at least two months in wooden oak casks.
For reposado, the standard sets no upper limit on the size of the cask. Ageing may therefore take place in a small cask as well as in a wooden tank of thousands of litres.
Two months is a minimum, not a maximum. A reposado that spends half a year or longer in wood stays within the same class as long as it stays under one year.
How long must añejo mature?
Añejo matures for at least one year in oak casks with a capacity of no more than 600 litres.
For extra añejo at least three years applies, in casks of the same maximum size. The limit of 600 litres is the point at which the class distinguishes itself from reposado, where no size is prescribed.
A smaller cask has more wood surface per litre of drink. The standard thereby ensures that the longest-matured classes also get the most wood contact per litre.
What does blanco mean on the label?
Blanco, also called plata, is tequila that has not been aged or for less than two months and therefore goes into the bottle almost colourless.
Besides blanco, the standard recognises the class joven or oro. That is blanco blended with matured tequila, or blanco to which auxiliary substances permitted by the standard have been added.
The class name is independent of whether it is 100 percent agave or a mixto. Both categories have all five classes.
Which class do you choose for what?
The choice follows from the maturation: blanco has no wood influence, reposado at least two months and añejo at least one year.
The longer a tequila lies on oak, the more colour and wood character the standard allows it to pick up. That explains why the classes are used differently in the bar.
We give no taste verdict on this page. If you want to know which bottle suits your use, drop by in Bathmen or call us; we will go through the range with you.
How much alcohol is in tequila?
The Mexican standard allows 35 to 55 percent by volume, measured at 20 degrees Celsius.
In the Netherlands, every drink from 15 percent by volume counts as strong liquor, wine excepted. Tequila therefore always falls under it, regardless of class.
Sterke drank mag alleen in een slijterij worden verkocht en alleen aan wie 18 jaar of ouder is. NIX18 geldt onverkort.
From the shop in Bathmen
Which tequilas of 35 to 55 volume percent are there in Bathmen?
In the shop in Bathmen there are 71 tequilas from 31 different brands. Prices range from € 4.99 to € 209.99. The alcohol percentage ranges from 35% to 55%.
- Casa Don Ramon Mezcal Joven Salmiana 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Casa Don Ramon Tequila Punta Diamante Reposado 38% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Casa Don Ramon Tequila Punta Diamante Silver 38% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Casamigos Mezcal Joven 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Casamigos Tequila Añejo 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Casamigos Tequila Blanco 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Casamigos Tequila Reposado 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Cazadores Tequila Blanco 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Cazadores Tequila Reposado 40% · 70 cl · Mexico
- Cazcabel Tequila Blanco 38% · 70 cl · Mexico
Related questions
What is the difference between tequila and mezcal?Which tequila do you use for a margarita?Why is tequila drunk with salt and lemon?
Short answer
Short answers to related questions
- What is extra añejo?
- Tequila that matures at least three years in oak casks of no more than 600 litres.
- What does joven or oro mean?
- Blanco blended with aged tequila, or blanco to which additives permitted by the standard have been added.
- May reposado mature in a large cask?
- Yes. The standard sets no upper limit on cask capacity for reposado; for añejo and extra añejo it is 600 liters.
- Is tequila hard liquor?
- At 35 to 55 percent ABV, tequila counts as spirits in the Netherlands, so it is sold from the age of 18.
The reasoning
Sources
- NOM-006-SCFI-2012, Bebidas alcohólicas, Tequila, Especificaciones, Consejo Regulador del Tequila (accessed 2026-09-05)
- Consejo Regulador del Tequila, Consejo Regulador del Tequila (accessed 2026-09-05)
- Alcoholwet, Overheid.nl (accessed 2026-09-05)
This page was written and checked by ’t Bockje Bathmen, wine and spirits shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen. Last updated on 7 September 2026.
Verkoop van alcohol onder de 18 jaar is verboden. NIX18.