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Alcohol Specifications

Mexico

Specifications for Tequila

Summary of Mexican Official Standard NOM-006-SCFI-1994

 

Note: This is an abridged translation of the original standard which is in Spanish. Reference should be made to the original standard for authenticity.

The standard recognizes four basic types of Tequila:-

  1. Tequila blanco ("silver") which is unaged.
  2. Tequila joven u oro ("gold") which is a blend of unaged tequila with "aged" and/or extra-aged tequilas.
  3. Tequila reposado ("aged") which has been aged in containers made of oak wood, for at least 2 months.
  4. Tequila añejo ("extra-aged") which has been matured in containers made of oak wood, of a maximum capacity of 600 litres, for at least one year.

 

Physical/chemical specifications

   
Tequila Blanco
Tequila joven
u oro
Tequila reposado
Tequila añejo
   
Minimum - Maximum
Minimum - Maximum
Minimum - Maximum

Minimum - Maximum

1. Alcohol % at 20°C:
38.0 - 55.0
38.0 - 55.0
38.0 - 55.0
38.0 - 55.0
2. Dry residue grams/litre:
0 - 0.20
(200 ppm)
0 - 5.0
(5000 ppm)
0 - 5.0
(5000 ppm)
0 - 5.0
(5000 ppm)
3. Higher alcohols as amyl alcohol, mg/100 ml:*
20 - 400
(200 ppm - 4000 ppm)
20 - 400
(200 ppm - 4000 ppm)
20 - 400
(200 ppm - 4000 ppm)
20 - 400
(200 ppm - 4000 ppm)
4. Methanol, mg/100 ml: **
30 - 300
(300 ppm - 3000 ppm)
30 - 300
(300 ppm - 3000 ppm)
30 - 300
(300 ppm - 3000 ppm)
30 - 300
(300 ppm - 3000 ppm)
5. Aldehydes mg/100 ml:
0 - 40
(400 ppm)
0 - 40
(400 ppm)
0 - 40
(400 ppm)
0 - 40
(400 ppm)
6. Esters mg/100 ml:
2 - 270
(20 ppm - 2700 ppm)
2 - 350
(20 ppm - 3500 ppm)
2 - 360
(20 ppm - 3600 ppm)
2 - 360
(20 ppm - 3600 ppm)
7. Furfural:***
0 - 1
(10 ppm)
0 - 1
(10 ppm)
0 - 1
(10 ppm)
0 - 1
(10 ppm)

* If determined by chromatographic analysis, the maximum for higher alcohols may be increased to 500 mg/100 ml (5000 ppm).

** The minimum methanol content may be reduced, if the producer can show the accredited, certifying organization that it is feasible to reduce the methanol by use of a separate process.

*** If determined by chemical analysis, the maximum content of furfural may be increased to 4 mg/100 ml (40 ppm).

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