New regulations allow for a wider range of tequila bottle sizes in the United States.
In general, these are filling standards for wine and distilled spirits in that nation.
Tequila bottle sizes
Tequila is made by distilling the juice extracted from the blue agave plant. This beverage is geographically protected, which means that it can only be produced in the state of Jalisco or in specific designated regions within Mexico.
From January to November 2024, the United States imported tequila from Mexico for a customs value of 4.831 billion dollars. This amount represents an increase of 13.5%, year-over-year.
Like cognac and brandy, tequila undergoes an aging process and is marketed in various categories. It can also be combined with citrus juices and is a fundamental base for classic cocktails such as the margarita and the paloma. On the other hand, premium tequilas tend to be best enjoyed neat.
Below is the trend of U.S. tequila imports from Mexico, in millions of dollars:
- 2018: 1,438.
- 2019: 1,735.
- 2020: 2,552.
- 2021: 3,578.
- 2022: 4,849.
- 2023: 4,552.
- 2024 (January-November): 4,831.
Filling standards for wine and spirits
Bear Creek Winery stated that the proposal from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) “does not address any issues” and stated that they “do not wish to add new fill sizes to those already approved.”
For its part, the Mexican Chamber of the Tequila Industry noted that “introducing a wider variety of bottle sizes could significantly complicate demand forecasting and inventory management, resulting in higher costs and inefficiencies, especially for small tequila producers with limited resources to adapt to these changes.” In addition, he noted that “standardized sizes have generated significant environmental benefits by optimizing production and packaging.”
Meanwhile, Milestone Brands, a producer and marketer of spirits, considered that the proposal represents “the best option for consumers”. It said that maintaining current filling standards while introducing new sizes will provide “recognizable and familiar” options for consumers, as well as broadening their choice and preserving order in the marketplace.