Whether you've noticed or not, all tequilas have a four digit NOM (or Norma Oficial Mexicana) number somewhere on the label, but what does that number signify?

Each NOM gives the location where the tequila was made and produced. In other words, if it doesn't have a NOM, it's not authentic tequila. You can go online or use the Tequila Matchmaker app to discover this information for any NOM you find. NOMs are assigned to each bottle by the Consejo Regulador del Tequila on behalf of the Mexican government, so tequila lovers know they were authentically made in Mexico. A NOM code signifies that the tequila has passed all regulations and standards set by the Mexican government. These guidelines cover various aspects of the production process - from planting agave all the way to bottling the tequila.

Many of the brands of tequila that you love may come from the same distillery. There are over 1,400 registered brands of tequila on the market, yet only 140 licensed tequila distilleries in Mexico. You can look up the NOM of your favorite tequila brand to see where it is distilled and if there are other brands that share that same distillery. Having a basic understanding of what the NOM on the bottle denotes can be an incredibly useful tool for drinkers seeking help in navigating the rapidly expanding tequila category.

NOMs can also indicate other things like the purity of the tequila it represents. Many drinkers may not realize that only 3% of tequila brands are certified as additive-free. This can be a big factor in selecting a tequila for people who want to know what ingredients they are putting in their bodies. The NOM can indicate whether a distillery is making certified additive-free products or not. 

In short, there is a lot of information you can glean from NOMs, from where it was made and and the purity of it's ingredients, to what other brands are associated with that same distillery. Looking through NOM listings you may also find smaller brands made at a distillery you've never heard of, or brands that are only available in Mexico. So next time you're looking at a tequila, find the NOM on the bottle and look it up, you might be surprised by what you find.