Sauza is one of the oldest tequila brands, founded in 1873. Its blanco and gold are mixtos made from 51% agave and 49% other sugars, likely from sugar cane; its añejo is 100% agave.
- Founded: 1873
- Owner: Suntory Global Spirits, a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings
- Owner headquarters: New York, USA
- Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM): NOM-1102
- Distillery: Tequila Sauza, Tequila, Jalisco
- Region: Lowlands
Sauza’s sales figures are from 2022. It does not appear in the published 2025 Brand Champions top ten.
Table of Contents
Sauza’s sales through 2022
Sauza’s sales fell through 2022. The market has generally been moving away from lower priced mixto tequilas, and Suntory has not managed to promote the brand effectively.
Sauza’s history and early exports
Cenobio Sauza founded the brand in 1873 and bought the La Antingua Cruz distillery, one of the oldest in Tequila, Jalisco. In 1888 the name was changed to La Perseverancia.
While Jose Cuervo was the first certified tequila producer, Sauza was the first to export its tequila, in 1888. The first batch went to New Mexico City in the USA. Sauza was the first to label his product “tequila”. It had previously been known as “vino de mezcal” or “mezcal de Tequila” after the town where it was produced.
Sauza has fallen from its earlier peak: in 2003 it was the world’s biggest selling tequila by volume. In 2005 it was the 15th highest selling of any spirit.
In 2007 Beam Inc, the company behind Jim Beam, acquired Sauza. In 2014 Japan based Suntory Holdings acquired Beam for US$16 billion. Now called Suntory Global Spirits, the business ranked fourth by global tequila volume share in IWSR’s 2024 comparison, with 6.0%. Its other major tequila brands include Hornitos, 100 Años and El Tesoro. Source: Becle’s March 2026 presentation.
Sauza bottles and industrial production
Sauza is one of the more industrial tequila producers and uses a diffuser to increase yield and reduce costs. This method extracts the juice from the agave before cooking it. Most tequila production involves cooking the agave before extracting the juices. Sauza calls its technique “gentle extraction”.
Sauza products are:
- Blanco
- Gold
- Añejo
- Extra añejo
The blanco and gold are mixtos; the añejo is 100% agave.
Sauza shot and bottle prices
How much is a shot of Sauza in the US?
The few US menus we checked suggest around $6 a shot for Sauza Blanco. At Red Rocks Cafe & Tequila Bar, a shot of Sauza Gold is listed at about $7. At Red Rocks Cafe & Tequila Bar, a shot of Sauza Conmemorativo is listed at about $8. These figures come from US menus checked in October 2026; shot sizes vary.
Sauza’s US bottle-price examples
US 750 mL listings checked on 2 October 2026 provide these named examples: Sauza Blanco: About US$14 at Hi-Proof. Sauza Blue Blanco: About US$19 at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Sauza Blue Reposado: About US$19 at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Questions about Sauza
Who owns Sauza tequila?
Sauza tequila is ultimately owned by Suntory Holdings of Japan. Suntory Holdings owns Suntory Global Spirits, which owns Casa Sauza.
Does Sauza tequila have additives?
Yes, Sauza tequila has additives. Aged expressions are likely to have more additives than the blanco. Additives include caramel coloring, glycerine, sweetener and oak extract.
Where is Sauza tequila made?
Sauza tequila is made at Casa Sauza’s La Perseverancia distillery in Tequila, Jalisco, under NOM 1102. Explore Sauza in the brand finder and other entries at NOM 1102. The October 1, 2026 CRT list also names Hornitos and Tres Generaciones at NOM 1102. Sources: CRT, October 1, 2026; Casa Sauza’s location. Read what a tequila NOM number tells you.
What is Casa Sauza XA?
Casa Sauza XA is Sauza’s limited edition extra añejo.
What type of tequila is Sauza?
Most Sauza tequila is mixto, made from agave and up to 49% other sugars. Its blanco and gold are mixtos; its añejo is 100% agave. The range also includes extra añejo. All Sauza tequilas are made with a diffuser.
Does Sauza tequila go off?
An unopened bottle of Sauza tequila will never go off, provided it is stored away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Once opened, Sauza should be drunk within a couple of years.
Is Sauza tequila gluten-free?
Yes, Sauza tequila is gluten-free. Like all tequilas (including mixtos) Sauza contains no gluten.
Is Sauza real tequila?
Yes, both Sauza’s mixto and 100% agave expressions are certified tequilas. Its mixtos use other sugars as well as agave, and all Sauza tequilas use a highly industrialized diffuser process. I’m critical of those production choices.
Is Sauza tequila kosher?
Yes, Sauza’s unflavored, CRT-approved 100% agave tequila is acceptable as kosher under STAR-K’s guidance.†
What is the ABV of Sauza tequila?
All Sauza tequilas sold in the US are 40% ABV (80 proof). In Mexico they may be 35% to 38%. Almost all tequila sold in the US is 40% ABV.
Is Sauza tequila organic?
Organic certification for Sauza tequila is unconfirmed. Check the exact bottle for an organic claim and named certifier.
Organic sources checked October 14, 2026.
† Sauza mixto releases fall outside this general acceptance. STAR-K’s tequila guidance accepts unflavored, CRT-approved 100% agave tequila without certification. It prefers reliable certification for reposado, añejo and cristalino, and excludes mixtos and specified wine or cask labels. Check the full exclusions against the bottle; this general acceptance is separate from brand certification. Sources checked October 14, 2026. See Is tequila kosher? for bottle checks, agency differences and Passover requirements. ↩
US bottle-price sources
The listings below are for confirmed 750 mL bottles shown in stock when checked. Figures from three or more independent shops are medians; smaller samples show the named shop prices. Pickup locations and public sales are shown below. Online stock may not mean delivery is available to your address. Tax and delivery may be extra. Prices are subject to change.
- Sauza Silver Tequila – 750ml Bottle: Hi-Proof: about US$14; online listing; 2026-10-02.
- Sauza Signature Blue Blanco Tequila: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits: about US$19; pickup at ABC #134 – Loop, Kissimmee FL; 2026-10-02.
- Sauza Signature Blue Reposado Tequila: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits: about US$19; pickup at ABC #134 – Loop, Kissimmee FL; 2026-10-02.