High proof tequila is tequila bottled at a higher alcohol strength than the 40% ABV common in the U.S. It is not a separate class of tequila. Blanco describes how the spirit is made and aged; high proof describes the strength in the bottle.

LALO High Proof 2026 Edition is 48% ABV, or 96 proof. LALO Tequila Blanco is 40% ABV, or 80 proof. Here's what those numbers tell you, and what they don't.

What do ABV and proof mean?

ABV means alcohol by volume. In the U.S., proof is twice the ABV, so 40% ABV equals 80 proof and 48% ABV equals 96 proof. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau uses that same calculation.

Proof measures alcohol content, not quality. It can't tell you whether a tequila will taste smooth, sharp, fruity or earthy. Those qualities also depend on the agave and the choices made during production.

Is high proof a type of tequila?

No. The Tequila Regulatory Council lists blanco, joven, reposado, añejo and extra añejo as tequila classes. High proof is an informal description of bottling strength. A high proof tequila can still be a blanco.

Tequila can be bottled across a permitted range of 35% to 55% ABV under the Mexican standard. LALO High Proof 2026 Edition sits within that range at 48% ABV.

How is LALO High Proof 2026 Edition made?

Producers can adjust a tequila's strength after distillation by adding water. For the 2026 edition, LALO takes a different approach: the tequila is distilled to 48% ABV and bottled at that strength without dilution after distillation.

The production change starts earlier. LALO ferments this edition for 72 hours with cooked agave fibers, called bagazo. According to LALO's 2026 tasting notes, that choice contributes to the tequila's fuller texture and earthy character. Read how the 2026 edition is made.

How does it taste compared with 40% blanco?

LALO describes High Proof 2026 as rich and rounded, with cooked agave, warm spice and a hint of allspice. It has a silky texture and a long agave finish. The regular LALO Blanco is bottled at 40% ABV and has its own profile. The 2026 edition's higher strength and bagazo fermentation are both part of the difference, so proof alone doesn't explain the taste.

How should you drink high proof tequila?

Try a measured pour neat to get a sense of its aroma and finish. Add a large cube if you prefer gradual dilution. In a cocktail, follow a recipe designed for the spirit's strength rather than increasing the pour.

For LALO High Proof 2026 Edition, start with the Paloma Rose or Armada. You can also browse the High Proof recipes. At the same pour size, 48% ABV contains more alcohol than 40% ABV, so measure accordingly.