What's Better Than Lalo Tequila? Lalo High Proof Tequila!

Behind the Pour

Lalo Tequila started as an 80-proof Blanco built around simplicity and quality — no additives, no tricks, just agave and production craft. The High Proof Blanco asks what happens when you remove the dilution step entirely. At 108 proof, it is the same philosophy taken to its logical extreme: more agave character, more intensity, more of everything the distillate is actually capable of. Crystal and Roger explore what high proof actually means in a blanco tequila context.

What You'll Discover

• 108 proof: the most intense version of the Lalo Blanco: Standard Lalo Blanco is 80 proof — a calibrated, approachable expression. The High Proof version is 108 proof — a 35% increase in ABV that changes the sensory experience significantly: more aromatic amplitude, more body, more of the agave's actual character.
• What high proof reveals in a quality Blanco: In a well-made tequila, higher proof amplifies what is good — the green agave, citrus, mineral, and floral notes that define a quality Los Altos or valley Blanco become more vivid. In a poorly made spirit, higher proof amplifies the flaws. The High Proof Blanco is a test of quality.
• Lalo's no-additive, no-manipulation philosophy: Lalo built its identity around transparency — no diffuser, no additives (glycerin, sugar, oak extract), just agave cooked in traditional stone ovens, fermented, and distilled. The High Proof expression extends that philosophy by also removing water.
• The exploring high-proof tequila category: Crystal and Roger describe this as an entry point into a growing sub-category — high-proof and cask-strength expressions from established tequila producers who want to show what their distillate can do without dilution.
• Best drunk neat or with a few drops of water: At 108 proof, a small amount of water opens the spirit significantly. Crystal notes that a dropper or a half-teaspoon added to a neat pour transforms the experience without eliminating the proof's contribution.

A Moment of Pourspective

Proof is not just strength. In a quality spirit, proof is the volume at which the aromatics are expressed. A 108-proof Blanco is a louder expression of the same agave — whether that loudness is pleasurable depends entirely on what the base spirit tastes like before you add the water back.

Explore the Conversation

The Lalo High Proof episode is a short review (13 minutes) with a specific agenda: is the high-proof version better than the standard, and is the premium justified? Crystal and Roger's approach is to taste both in the same session and compare directly — an efficient way to evaluate what the proof difference actually does. The exploration framing Crystal introduces — 'we are beginning to explore high-proof tequilas' — sets the Lalo High Proof in context alongside the Yéyo 96 Proof episode. Both are entries in the same inquiry: what happens to tequila character when you remove the dilution step? Lalo's brand story is the episode's background context. The name 'Lalo' comes from Eduardo ('Lalo') González Moreno, grandson of Don Julio González — the founder of Don Julio Tequila. The family lineage connects the brand to one of the most respected names in tequila history.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Lalo High Proof Blanco? Lalo High Proof Blanco is a 108-proof blanco tequila from Lalo Tequila, bottled without water dilution after distillation. The brand was founded by Eduardo González Moreno (grandson of Don Julio González) with a no-additive production philosophy.
• What is the difference between 80 proof and 108 proof tequila? Both expressions come from the same production — the proof difference comes from whether water is added before bottling. 108 proof retains more alcohol and aromatic intensity; 80 proof is more approachable.
• Is high-proof tequila better for sipping? Experienced agave drinkers often prefer higher-proof expressions for sipping because the aromatic complexity is more vivid. A few drops of water can be added to open the spirit without fully diluting it.
• Where can I find Lalo Tequila? At lalotequila.com and at premium spirits retailers nationally.

Episode at a Glance

• Spirit reviewed: Lalo High Proof Blanco Tequila
• Hosts: Crystal and Roger
• Runtime: 13 minutes, 11 seconds
• Category: Tequila & Mezcal
• Details: 108 proof, no additives, no water dilution