A shot of tequila always signals the beginning of a fun night. But at the launch of Loca Loka, the setup is quite different—the drinks are served in glasses, meant to be savored and enjoyed with a four-course meal.
Admittedly, this is different from how I’ve come to know and appreciate tequila—with salt, lemon, and sometimes even with brown sugar. This time, this drink’s effect is slower and steadier, adding more flavors to each dish.
Tasting the Blanco: Bright, Sharp, and Herbal
At first taste, the blanco variant had a sharp taste to it that’s slightly reminiscent of pepper. With some subtle notes of herbal earthiness and hints of citrusy, fruity flavors, this expression paired well with the crudo—a raw salmon dish with dayap granita and cashew foam. The shared silky, smooth finish of both the salmon and the tequila married together that you can’t help but take a sip after a bite, or vice-versa. That afternoon, the blanco was just the right picker-upper with its clean finish.
Inside the Reposado: Sweet, Spicy, and Mellow
We were able to experience the reposado with two meat dishes—the agnolotti and braised lamb or beef. One would think that pairing seasoned meats with a drink that’s as seasoned and spiced would be overwhelming, but it’s quite the opposite. The reposado had a balanced blend of sweet and spicy that equalized the richness of the protein-heavy dishes, its mellow spirit giving way for the meat to shine without establishing its presence in your mouth. Much like the taste of honey and vanilla, the reposado also had this warm, comforting layer that counters the hit of alcohol in your system. Among the three, this would definitely be my go-to.
An Appetite for Añejo: Luscious, Sweet, and Sharp
Concluding our tequila tasting experience was the añejo, meant to be fully appreciated with the earl grey panna cotta with muscovado spiced crumble and milk ice cream. Due to its longest aging period compared to the previous types, this tequila had more complexity—a nod to the fruity and floral notes of the panna cotta. There’s depth like dark chocolate, but the hints of dried fruit would come out once the flavor settles. This tequila felt like it was in the middle of the blanco and reposado in terms of its sharpness. If reposado had an edgier sister that would definitely make an outright impression, it would be the añejo.
What Makes Loca Loka Different From Other Tequilas
Loca Loka bridges the two cultures even with its name—“loca,” a Mexican term for “crazy,” and “loka,” a Sanskrit word for “world.” Each bottle of tequila is made from blue weber agave planted in Jalisco, Mexico’s volcanic soil, then aged in French and American oak barrels in varying time periods.
With the demand of alcohol production, Loca Loka focuses on their “100 or Nothing” philosophy of no additives and artificial flavors in every bottle. Each production is also done in small batches, ensuring that the quality from plant to drink is consistent and precise.
As the brand’s Third-Generation Master Distiller & Head of Production at Hacienda de Bañuelos, Willy Bañuelos Ramírez mentioned at the launch, “Authentic tequila begins in the field, not the boardroom. At Loca Loka, we respect the agave’s natural complexity and refuse to take shortcuts—no additives, no artificial color, and no glycerin for mouthfeel.”
As the country welcomes Loca Loka, co-founder Rana Daggubati points out the Philippines’ culture that blends well with their tequila. “This isn’t just tequila; it’s a cultural dialogue between two vibrant worlds. The Philippines understands storytelling, celebration, and craftsmanship and Loca Loka speaks that language fluently.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Loca Loka is a premium tequila brand made from 100% blue weber agave grown in Jalisco, Mexico. It focuses on additive-free production and small-batch craftsmanship.
Loca Loka offers blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila, each aged differently to develop unique flavor profiles.
Blanco tequila is bright and clean with citrus, herbal, and peppery notes because it is either unaged or only lightly rested.
Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels for several months, giving it smoother flavors with hints of vanilla, honey, and spice.
Añejo tequila is aged longer than reposado, creating deeper flavors like oak, dried fruit, caramel, and dark chocolate.
It means the tequila is made entirely from blue weber agave sugars without mixing in other sugar sources.
Additive-free tequila contains no artificial sweeteners, colors, flavorings, or glycerin added during production.
Loca Loka tequila is produced in Jalisco, Mexico, the birthplace of authentic tequila.
