Is Volans 106 Proof Blanco the Best High-Proof Tequila for Sipping in 2025?

Behind the Pour

Still Strength Blanco is Volans tequila at barrel proof — 106 proof with zero water added after distillation. It comes from El Pandillo (NOM 1579), one of the most respected agave distilleries in the world, run by Felipe Camarena in Los Altos, Jalisco. The production is precise: Blue Weber agave selected for maximum sweetness, crushed with a solar-powered mechanical tahona nicknamed 'Frankenstein,' open-air fermented with fiber included, and double-distilled without dilution. Chris and Raj are the hosts for this tasting, and their question — is this $70 price tag earned? — gets a thorough answer.

What You'll Discover

• El Pandillo and Felipe Camarena — why the source matters: El Pandillo (NOM 1579) is the distillery behind several critically respected tequila brands. Felipe Camarena's production philosophy centers on maximum agave flavor expression. The NOM number matters because it tells you exactly where and how the spirit was made — no co-distillery ambiguity.
• The solar-powered tahona called 'Frankenstein': A tahona is a heavy stone wheel used to crush cooked agave and extract the juice. El Pandillo's is mechanical (not ox-driven) and solar-powered — an unusual combination of traditional technique and sustainable modern production. The nickname says something about the distillery's personality.
• Open-air fermentation with fiber: Including the agave fiber in fermentation adds complexity to the final spirit — the fiber interacts with the yeast during conversion, producing flavor compounds that fiber-free fermentation does not. Chris and Raj note this as a key contributor to the textural quality of Still Strength.
• Zero dilution — what 106 proof feels like: Still Strength is not barrel-aged and then cut with water. It is distilled, rested, and bottled at the proof that came off the still. That means more aromatic intensity, more mouthfeel, and a burn that signals strength rather than harshness if the production is clean.
• Is $70 worth it for a Blanco? The episode's verdict: yes, for a sipping tequila — with the caveat that this is not a cocktail workhorse. At 106 proof with this level of agave expression, it is a contemplative pour.

A Moment of Pourspective

A NOM number is a fact, not a marketing claim. When a tequila tells you its NOM, it is giving you the ability to verify where it was made and by whom. El Pandillo at 106 proof is a different kind of honesty than most spirits labels offer.

Explore the Conversation

The Volans Still Strength episode is a Chris and Raj tasting — two of TLC's rotating hosts working through a spirit that rewards the kind of careful attention they bring to high-proof agave expressions. The production detail is thorough because Volans and El Pandillo make it possible to be thorough — the brand shares specific information about how and where the spirit is made. The tahona discussion is the episode's most specific production moment. Chris distinguishes between a traditional ox-drawn tahona, an electric one, and El Pandillo's solar-powered version — and explains why the crushing method affects the fiber content of the juice, which affects fermentation, which affects flavor. It is a short chain of reasoning that explains a lot. The $70 question drives the episode's conclusion. For a Blanco tequila, $70 is above average — the episode's honest answer is that you are paying for a production process that most $30–$40 Blancos do not use, and the result is in the glass if you slow down enough to notice it.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a NOM number in tequila? A NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) is a certified producer registration number issued to Mexican spirits distilleries. Every legitimate tequila bottle lists a NOM; it tells you which specific distillery made the spirit, regardless of what the label says.
• What is El Pandillo? El Pandillo (NOM 1579) is a tequila distillery in Los Altos, Jalisco, operated by Felipe Camarena. It produces several respected tequila brands and is known for a flavor-forward production philosophy using tahona crushing and open-air fermentation.
• What does 'Still Strength' mean? Still Strength means the spirit is bottled at the proof at which it came off the still, without adding water to reduce the ABV. Volans Still Strength Blanco is 106 proof — significantly higher than the standard 80 proof.
• Is high-proof tequila better? Not universally — but in a well-made Blanco from a production-focused distillery, higher proof generally means more aromatic intensity and a fuller mouthfeel. The quality of the production determines whether that strength reads as complexity or harshness.

Episode at a Glance

• Spirit reviewed: Volans Still Strength Blanco Tequila
• Hosts: Chris and Raj
• Runtime: 14 minutes, 28 seconds
• Category: Tequila & Mezcal
• Details: 106 proof, ~$70, NOM 1579 (El Pandillo), Felipe Camarena, solar-powered tahona