Primo 1861 Blanco Tequila
Primo 1861 Blanco Tequila is a traditionally made, unaged 100% Blue Weber agave tequila from the highlands of Jalisco — NOM 1579, the distillery of master distiller Felipe Camarena at Destilería El Pandillo in Jesús María. Cooked in brick ovens, crushed by tahona, fermented in the open air, and double-distilled in copper pot stills, it's bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) and certified additive-free. Order this agave-forward blanco online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43% ABV (86 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Unaged (blanco) — bottled shortly after distillation
- Origin: Destilería El Pandillo, Jesús María, Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico — NOM 1579
- Agave: 100% Blue Weber (Tequilana Weber) agave
- Production: Brick/stone oven cooking, tahona milling, open-air fermentation in wood and stainless tanks (fiber-free), 2x distillation in copper pot stills
- Other: Certified additive-free (Tequila Matchmaker)
The Camarena Name, the Tahona Way
Primo 1861 is a creation of Felipe Camarena, working out of Destilería El Pandillo — NOM 1579 — in the highlands of Los Altos de Jalisco, where the region's red, mineral-rich soils grow some of Mexico's most prized Blue Weber agave. The production reads like a traditionalist's checklist: agaves slow-cooked in brick ovens, crushed under a stone tahona wheel rather than roller mills, fermented naturally in wooden tanks, and distilled twice in copper pot stills. The result is a blanco that tastes of place — roasted agave sweetness, citrus, wet earth, and pepper — bottled at a full 86 proof so nothing is lost. Explore more from Primo 1861 and compare with other premium tequilas and Mezcal Tequila selections at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Fresh cooked agave with citrus zest, herbal notes, peppermint, wet earth, and a mineral edge.
Palate: Bright, agave-forward — cooked agave and light pepper, clean minerality, silky rather than smoky.
Finish: Long, delicate, and complex — smooth with lingering agave sweetness and gentle spice.
How to Enjoy
Sip neat or on a single large rock to appreciate the highland agave character; the 86-proof weight holds up beautifully. It also anchors premium cocktails — margaritas and palomas built on additive-free, tahona-crushed blanco taste noticeably cleaner. Pair with bright, herbal dishes: ceviche, grilled fish tacos, or anything with lime and cilantro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NOM is Primo 1861 Blanco? NOM 1579 — Destilería El Pandillo in Jesús María, Los Altos de Jalisco, where master distiller Felipe Camarena produces it.
Is Primo 1861 additive-free? Yes — it is certified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker, meaning no glycerin, caramel color, oak extract, or flavoring is added after distillation.
What does "tahona" mean? The tahona is a large stone wheel, traditionally pulled by mule or tractor, that crushes cooked agave piñas to extract their sugars. It's slower and more labor-intensive than roller mills, and traditionalists credit it with a richer, earthier agave character.
Is this blanco rested or aged? No — it is a true blanco, unaged and bottled shortly after distillation, with the crisp, vibrant profile that implies.
Additive-free, tahona-crushed, and bottled at a full 86 proof — secure Primo 1861 Blanco from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA before this highland blanco is gone.