What Is a NOM Number? Your Guide to Tequila Authenticity

What Is a NOM Number?

If you've ever turned a bottle of tequila around and spotted a small four-digit code beginning with "NOM," you've encountered one of the most important quality markers in the spirits world. But what exactly does it mean — and why should you care?

NOM Stands for Norma Oficial Mexicana

NOM is short for Norma Oficial Mexicana — Mexico's official standards body. In the context of tequila, the NOM number is a unique identifier assigned to each licensed distillery authorised to produce tequila under the strict regulations of the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT), the governing body that oversees tequila production.

Every bottle of genuine tequila sold anywhere in the world must display a NOM number. It's not optional — it's the law.

What Does the NOM Number Tell You?

The NOM number identifies the specific distillery where the tequila was produced. This is a crucial distinction: it tells you where the liquid was made, not necessarily who owns the brand. Many tequila brands source their liquid from the same distillery, meaning two very different-looking bottles on the shelf could share the same NOM number.

Conversely, a single brand might produce expressions at multiple distilleries, resulting in different NOM numbers across their range.

Why Does It Matter?

For the discerning tequila drinker, the NOM number is a powerful research tool. Here's why it matters:

• Authenticity — A valid NOM number confirms the tequila is genuine and produced in one of the five authorised Mexican states: Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán, or Tamaulipas.
• Traceability — You can look up any NOM number on the CRT's official database to verify the distillery's name, location, and production methods.
• Quality benchmarking — Enthusiasts use NOM numbers to track distilleries known for traditional production methods, such as tahona-ground agave or copper pot stills.
• Spotting house brands — Many private label or celebrity tequilas are produced at large commercial distilleries. The NOM number lets you see behind the marketing.

How to Find and Use a NOM Number

The NOM number is typically printed on the back label of the bottle, often near the bottling information. It will appear as "NOM" followed by four digits — for example, NOM 1414 (the famous Los Abuelos / Fortaleza distillery).

To look up a NOM number, visit the CRT's official registry at crt.org.mx, where you can search by distillery number and access verified production details.

A Mark of Transparency in Every Bottle

In a category where marketing can sometimes overshadow substance, the NOM number is a rare beacon of transparency. It's a direct line from your glass back to the agave fields and copper stills of Jalisco.

At Tequila Brothers, we believe that understanding what's in your bottle is part of the pleasure of drinking it. Whether you're exploring your first blanco or hunting down a rare añejo, knowing how to read a NOM number puts the power of knowledge in your hands.

Salud.