Tequila Ocho Releases Puntas 2026, Brand's First Puntas Expression In Two Years

Newest Puntas expression first-ever to be available globally, and first-ever to feature highlands agaves grown in both Jalisco and Michoacán, expanding Ocho's understanding of terroir's influence

ARANDAS, JALISCO, MX - Tequila Ocho, the brand founded to prove that terroir exists in spirits just as it does in wine, announces today the release of Puntas 2026 (74.99 SRP). It is the first Puntas release in two years, the first-ever Puntas to be available globally, and the first-ever Puntas in Ocho’s single region, multi-field Terroir Select vintages. At 55 ABV/110 proof, it is the highest proof tequila allowed by law.

What are the “Puntas” of agave spirits and why does it matter?

The puntas, or “distiller’s cut,” of agave spirits is the sweet spot of the distillation, cut from the very end of the heads and the very beginning of the heart of the distilled spirit. They have long been considered the most coveted part of the distillate and are traditionally set aside by the distiller to be enjoyed with friends and family on special occasions. Other high-proof tequilas on the market only use the "heart" cut of distillation, rather than the highly selective cut known as Puntas.

Tequila Ocho Puntas 2026: Building on Ocho’s exploration of terroir in spirits, the new releases are made with agaves harvested from five fields situated more than 5,000 feet above sea level in the Rio Lerma (Lerma River) zone, an area which creates a natural border between the states of Jalisco and Michoacán and is characterized by a predominantly flat landscape of gray, medium-nutrient soil blanketed by a warm, dry climate most of the year before receiving heavy rainfall in the late summer. These conditions force agaves to work extra hard to get the nourishment they need to grow to full maturity, between five and seven years, in that time growing to nearly 60 pounds each with shorter, thicker fibers and a medium-high sugar content. As a result, the tequila distilled from these agaves is bold and round; full of concentrated agave flavors.

Tasting notes:

• Nose: Guava and green pineapple, kiwi, apple, white pepper, olives, and bell pepper. Well-balanced sweet and herbal notes throughout.

• Palate: Cooked agave, lemon peel, sour orange, and tamarind, complemented by subtle smoky notes and ripe pineapple. The finish reveals hints of eucalyptus and menthol.

2200 nine-liter cases will be available on-premise and at retail in the USA. A limited allocation will also be made available at duty-free in Mexico, select European markets, and the USA.

ABOUT TEQUILA OCHO

Tequila Ocho is the world’s first single estate tequila; curating, selecting and harvesting the very ripest agaves from the world-renowned highlands, and distilling in the town of Arandas, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Tequila Ocho retains complete control of raw materials, from seedling to agave selection, fermentation & beyond, quite unlike most other tequila makers, leading to a liquid which is unparalleled.

The result of a dream shared by maestro tequilero Carlos Camarena and legendary tequila ambassador Tomas Estes, Tequila Ocho reflects the nuances of each and every agave field and is instantly recognizable by its annual vintages. Cooking, fermentation and distillation happen in the most traditional way in slow-cooking stone ovens, wooden vats, and copper pot stills, respectively. Such a painstaking approach has led Tequila Ocho Plata to be recognized by Forbes as the World’s Best Blanco Tequila.

As a tequila brand that prides itself on producing maximum agave flavor and essence, Ocho’s aged expressions, reposado, añejo and extra añejo, rest lightly in old bourbon barrels for a gentle rounding and smoothing by the wood - always complementing, yet never overshadowing, the pure, sweet, cooked agave notes.

Every expression of Tequila Ocho is made from only three ingredients: agave, water & natural airborne yeast, respecting the traditional, artisanal methods used for generations.