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The 4-Digit Number To Look Out For On Bottles Of Tequila

NEWS

BY NIKITA EPHANOV

Bottle of tequila on table
There's a four-digit number on every bottle of tequila called the NOM — short for Norma Oficial Mexicana — assigned by the Mexican government as part of their official regulation.
Agave in wheelbarrow in distillery
Tequila can only be legally produced in five Mexican states, and must be made from blue weber agave. The NOM reinforces that the bottle has been inspected for such standards.
Glasses of tequila with limes
Furthermore, the four-digit code traces to the producer, lending you insight into the spirit's creation. Simply look up your tequila's NOM online to see where it comes from.
Inside of tequila distillery
By plugging the number into a dedicated site like Tequila Matchmaker, you can find the production steps, barrel options, and even the water source for every NOM.
Various tequila bottles on shelf
Furthermore, this search is the quickest way to check if a tequila is 100% agave. However, know that two tequilas having the same NOM doesn't mean their palates are identical.