La Pulga (Additive-Free) Tequilas Reviewed

Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro & In-depth Details
6:45 – La Pulga Blanco Nosing
08:36 – La Pulga Blanco Tasting
11:18 – La Pulga Repo Nosing
12:25 – La Pulga Repo Tasting
13:55 - Recap & Final Thoughts

Today we’re going to take a look at a new tequila line called “La Pulga” that recently launched here in North Texas. La Pulga – which literally translates to “The Flea” is also a term used to describe an outdoor “flea market.” It’s from this origin that La Pulga got its name. According to their website, “Our brand was born at an open-air flea market known as La Pulga in our community. Diverse in offering and rich in culture, La Pulga has served as a gathering place and a gateway to the Northside of Fort Worth since the 1940s. Beloved for generations, it is one of the oldest flea markets in the United States and the perfect place for our brand to call home.” The brand was founded by Sarah Castillo, a well-known and respected local restaurateur (Taco Heads, Tinies Mexican Cuisine, Sidesaddle Saloon); Andrew De La Torre, a club owner and the operator of Pequeño Mexico; and Stephen Slaughter, a local entrepreneur and real estate developer. Also recently joining the La Pulga team as the company's Head of Spirits is Ale Ochoa, who was formerly a Whiskey Scientist and Master Blender at Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. (TX Whiskey). Now that we know the background of the brand and folks behind it, let’s get to the product details.

La Pulga Tequila is an artisanal, certified additive-free 100% agave tequila out of the Highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco. The mature piñas are hand harvest and quartered, then cooked in a combination of an autoclave and horno brick ovens to ensure they're cooked evenly. Then, they’re crushed by a roller mill to extract the agave juices. The resulting mixture is fermented for three to six days, distilled, and in the case of the Reposado are aged in wooden barrels. The Reposado is aged in ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of two months but more typically aged up to 7 months. Currently, there is not an Añejo in the lineup, but I’m told it’s in the works and I’m looking forward to it. The Blanco and Reposado are bottled at the traditional US 80 proof and carry a retail price of $49 & $59.

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As of September 2023, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, my “Saints Alley" Bourbons & Rye whiskeys are on Total Wine shelves and customers are really enjoying them (be sure to ask for a sample when you're in the stores)! Currently, our two new Special Editions are almost gone. But don’t worry, we just created Batch 2’s of both! Our "Nobleman" Rye Whiskey was aged in Hungarian Tokaji (pronounced Tok-eye) sweet wine casks! The other is a twist on our "Herald" Bourbon that adds Pineau Des Charentes casks to the mix. All are delicious, and given my knowledge and high standards, you know I’m working hard with my team to continue releasing whiskeys that we're proud of! Thanks for watching and please remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!