The Mystery of the Missing Green Bottles: La Gritona Tequila Supply Update

Where Did All the La Gritona Go?

If you’ve walked into your local ABC store lately searching for that iconic, stubby green bottle of La Gritona Reposado, only to find an empty spot on the shelf, you aren’t alone.

Tequila lovers across the state have noticed the temporary drought. Rumors always swirl when a cult-favorite spirit disappears—is there an agave shortage? Did the distillery close?

Rest assured, the agave is flowing, master distiller Melly Cárdenas and her team are hard at work, and La Gritona is making its triumphant return to our shelves in the first week of August.

Here is the real story behind the limited supply, why the delay happened, and why the wait is more than worth it.

The Real Story: Import Shifts and Perfecting the Glass

The recent scarcity of La Gritona wasn't caused by a single issue, but rather a combination of important updates behind the scenes.

1. A U.S. Import Transition

La Gritona recently underwent a transition in its U.S. importation and distribution setup to keep up with massive national demand. When a small-batch, artisanal brand changes its importer logistics, state-by-state supply lines briefly pause while new distribution permits and paperwork clear.

2. The Custom Glass Supply Delay

More importantly, the distillery faced a specific supply challenge: their iconic hand-blown green glass bottles.

La Gritona doesn't use standard off-the-shelf liquor bottles. Their signature recycled green glass vessels are custom-crafted in Guadalajara, Mexico. When glass manufacturing hit a snag, the distillery made a deliberate choice: they refused to compromise.

Rather than rushing out sub-par containers or switching to generic clear glass, Melly and her team paused production until every single bottle met their exact quality and durability standards. We had to make sure the glass was absolute perfection before shipping it out to you.

Why Quality Over Speed Matters

For a brand like La Gritona, taking shortcuts isn't an option. Distilled in Valle de Guadalupe, Jalisco (NOM 1533), this female-owned and operated distillery does things the slow way:

• Slow-Cooked Agave: Mature blue agave is cooked in traditional brick ovens for 24 hours and rested for another 24 hours.
• Natural Un-aged Finish: Rested in re-used white oak bourbon barrels for just 8 months, ensuring a crisp, vegetal flavor profile without artificial additives or heavy oak sweetness.
• Eco-Friendly Packaging: Every bottle is made from 100% recycled glass local to Jalisco, complete with an eco-conscious stopper.

When an operation takes that much pride in what’s inside the bottle, it makes sense why they care so much about the glass holding it.

Mark Your Calendars for August!

The glass issues have been resolved, the production line is moving at full speed, and fresh shipments are currently heading directly to our state.

• Expected Arrival: First week of August
• Where to Find It: Your local ABC store and your favorite local cocktail bars.

Thank you for your patience while we ensured every bottle arriving in our state met the gold standard. Get your cocktail shakers ready, your favorite additive-free reposado is almost back!