Respeto is easily the most serious agave syrup we’ve encountered, and that should come as no surprise given the involvement of Grover Sanschagrin, one of the most influential voices in tequila today. As the co-founder of Tequila Matchmaker, Grover has spent years advocating for transparency, traditional production, and additive-free tequila, and this project takes that philosophy into an entirely new category. Produced in Tepatitlán at Tequilería Trujillo (NOM 1634), Respeto begins with fully mature Blue Weber agave grown on the Trujillo family’s estate parcels using organic practices. The process mirrors traditional tequila production: slow cooked for 36 hours in brick ovens, crushed via tahona and roller mill, then concentrated to 72° Brix without additives or shortcuts. What sets it apart is the decision to stop short of fermentation and distillation, capturing the raw, roasted agave character in its purest form. The result is nothing like the thin, overly sweet syrups that dominate the category. This is dark, dense, and unapologetically savory, closer to a fine molasses or aged balsamic in both texture and intensity. It delivers real roasted agave depth, with enough structure to stand on its own as a primary flavor component rather than a background sweetener. For cocktails, cooking, or anyone serious about agave, Respeto is not just better, it’s a complete rethinking of what agave syrup can be.