Not all tequila comes from the same part of Mexico, and where it's made has a real impact on how it tastes. Highland tequila, or tequila from Los Altos de Jalisco, is one of the two main regions where tequila is produced, and it's known for a distinct style.

Highland vs. Lowland: What's the Difference?

Tequila can come from either the Highlands (Los Altos, at higher elevation with reddish, iron-rich soil) or the Lowlands (the valley around the town of Tequila, with darker volcanic soil). The agave grown in each region develops differently, and that carries through into the final spirit.

What Highland Tequila Tastes Like

Highland agave tends to grow larger and sweeter due to the region's climate and soil. Tequilas from this region are often described as fruitier, more floral, and softer than their Lowland counterparts, which tend to be earthier and more vegetal.

Arandas: The Heart of the Highlands

Arandas is one of the most well-known towns in the Highlands, prized for producing some of the region's best agave. Centinela has been made in Arandas since 1904, using the same traditional methods and the same Highland terroir the region is known for.

Why It Matters When You're Shopping

Knowing whether a tequila is Highland or Lowland gives you a real signal of what to expect in the glass, before you even open the bottle. If you tend to prefer smoother, sweeter sipping tequilas, Highland is likely your style.

Taste the Highlands with Centinela

Every bottle of Centinela reflects generations of Highland tradition, made in Arandas the same way since 1904. Explore the lineup and taste the difference terroir makes.