AgaveTequila

Tequila — Highland vs. Lowland

Terroir differentiation in tequila was largely ignored commercially until the craft boom of the 2000s–2010s. Ocho (founded 2008 by Carlos Camarena and Tomas Estes) pioneered single-estate, single-harvest expression as a value proposition analogous to single-vineyard wine.

Flavor Profile

Highland: sweeter, fruitier, more floral — ripe banana, cooked pineapple, candied agave, round soft texture. Lower pepper intensity. Gateway tequila. Benchmark brands: Patrón, Don Julio, El Tesoro (primarily). Lowland: earthier, more mineral, vegetal, drier, peppery, almost dusty. More angular and aggressive. Character-driven. Benchmark brands: Fortaleza, Cascahuín, Ocho.

Key Producers

Call

Fortaleza

$35-80

Cascahuín

$35-55

Call

Don Julio

$40-170

Patrón

$40-80

Premium

Ocho

$55-70

Not a legal distinction — both are covered by NOM-006 DO. A terroir classification within Jalisco. Los Altos (Highlands): 2000+ meters elevation, red iron-rich volcanic soil, cooler temperatures. Tequila Valley (Lowlands): ~1200 meters, dark volcanic soil, warmer temperatures. Producers source from one or both; single-origin sourcing emerging as premium marker.