The Short Answer
G4 tequila is produced at NOM 1579 in Jesús María, Jalisco by Felipe Camarena, a fourth-generation distiller. The brand is known for blending rain water and spring water into production, a level of detail that signals how carefully every step is managed. The Blanco is the entry point and one of the finest in the highlands; the Reposado and Añejo are equally precise.
Felipe Camarena and the Fourth Generation
Felipe Camarena comes from one of Jalisco's most prominent tequila families. His uncle Carlos Camarena makes Tapatio and El Tesoro at La Alteña distillery (NOM 1139) in Arandas. The Camarena name carries significant weight in the highlands, representing generations of commitment to traditional production.
G4 is Felipe's own expression of that legacy. The brand launched under the premise that a fourth-generation distiller building his own facility from the ground up could make something exceptional on entirely his own terms. NOM 1579 in Jesús María was built with that goal in mind.
Felipe and Carlos operate completely separate distilleries with distinct approaches. The family connection is real but the production is independent.
The G4 Distillery: NOM 1579
NOM 1579 sits in Jesús María, within the highland municipality of Arandas, Jalisco. The elevation and red clay soil of Los Altos give the agave the slow growth and elevated sugar content that make highland tequila distinct from its lowland counterpart.
Production follows traditional highland methods: brick oven cooking over 36 to 48 hours, roller mill crushing, open wooden fermentation tanks, and pot still distillation. These are the same fundamental choices that define the great traditional producers in the region.
What separates G4 from its peers is the water. Felipe blends rain water collected from the distillery roof with deep spring water drawn from the property. The reasoning is straightforward: the mineral composition of locally sourced rain water contributes to fermentation quality and flavor development in ways that treated municipal water cannot replicate. This is a production detail almost no other tequila brand bothers to consider.
G4 Tequila Lineup
G4 Blanco
Bright and clean, with roasted agave, a citrus lift, and mineral salinity that speaks directly to the highland terroir and the distillery's water composition. One of the best blancos available from the Los Altos region. The entry point to G4 and the clearest statement of what Felipe is doing at NOM 1579.
G4 Reposado
Six to eight months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. Light vanilla and soft oak complement the agave without overwhelming it. Elegant and restrained, this is the everyday sipper from the lineup. The best expression of G4 for most drinkers who want something between the raw intensity of the Blanco and the fuller development of the Añejo.
G4 Añejo
Eighteen to twenty-four months in oak produces a richer, darker profile with dried fruit and cocoa notes developing over the agave core. Fuller and more layered than the Reposado, yet still recognizably agave-forward. G4 never lets the oak become the point, and the Añejo demonstrates that discipline well.
G4 Extra Añejo
Three or more years in oak produces considerable depth and complexity. Full and rich, showing significant oak character while maintaining the highland identity that defines the distillery. For collectors and enthusiasts who want to see what extended aging does to Felipe's base spirit, this is the bottle.
G4 Blanco Still Strength
The standard Blanco at 40% ABV is the entry expression. The Still Strength version comes off the pot still uncut at 46%, delivering the spirit in its most concentrated and unmodified form. More intense mineral character, more pronounced agave aromatics, more texture. A must for any enthusiast who wants to understand what is actually happening inside NOM 1579.
The Rain Water Detail
Felipe's use of blended rain and spring water is the production detail that sets G4 apart from every other distillery in the highlands. Rain water collected from the distillery roof carries the local mineral signature of the Arandas microclimate. That mineral composition affects yeast behavior during fermentation, which in turn shapes the ester and flavor compound profile of the finished spirit.
This is not a marketing talking point. Water chemistry is one of the most significant variables in fermentation science, and Felipe's approach to it reflects the same level of precision he applies to every other step. Most tequila brands treat water as a neutral input. G4 treats it as an ingredient.
Who Should Buy G4?
Tequila enthusiasts who appreciate technical precision and want to taste what fourth-generation distilling knowledge looks like in a glass. Bartenders building premium programs who need a reliable highland blanco that performs in cocktails and justifies conversation. Collectors who want a traditional producer working at the top of his ability.
The Blanco is the ideal starting point. The Still Strength Blanco is a must for anyone serious about understanding the distillery. The Reposado is the everyday bottle.
More From The Agave Report
Siete Leguas Tequila: The Complete Guide: Another foundational highland producer with a long family history.
Tapatio Tequila: The Complete Guide: Carlos Camarena's benchmark highland lineup at accessible prices.
Tequila Ocho vs. G4: Two precision-focused highland producers compared side by side.
Best Highland Tequila: The full guide to Los Altos tequila and why the region matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is G4 tequila?
G4 is a highland tequila made by Felipe Camarena at NOM 1579 in Jesús María, Jalisco. The name refers to the fourth generation of the Camarena family making tequila. It uses brick ovens, pot stills, and a blend of rain water and spring water in production.
What NOM is G4 tequila?
G4 is produced at NOM 1579 in Jesús María, Jalisco.
Is Felipe Camarena related to Carlos Camarena?
Yes. Felipe and Carlos Camarena are uncle and nephew. Carlos Camarena makes Tapatio and El Tesoro at NOM 1139 (La Alteña distillery). They are from the same prominent Jalisco tequila family but operate completely separate distilleries and brands.
Why does G4 use rain water?
Felipe Camarena blends rain water collected from the distillery roof with spring water from the property. He believes the mineral composition of the local rain water contributes to fermentation quality and ultimately the flavor of the finished tequila.
What is the best G4 tequila expression?
The G4 Blanco is the best starting point and one of the finest blancos in the highlands. For enthusiasts, the Still Strength Blanco shows the spirit at full intensity. The Reposado is the best everyday sipper from the lineup.
Is G4 tequila additive-free?
G4 is widely regarded as a traditionally produced tequila with no additives, though the brand does not hold an official additive-free certification. The production methods — brick oven, pot still, traditional fermentation — are consistent with clean, natural production.