The best tequila brands of 2021
Rank | Brand | Category |
10 | Dos Lunas | Best tequila for a cocktail |
11 | Casa Dragones | Best tequila for sipping |
12 | Fortaleza | Best tequila for the money |
13 | Casa Noble | Top shelf tequila to try once |
- Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata. ...
- Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco. ...
- Best Reposado: Siete Leguas Reposado. ...
- Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo. ...
- Best Extra Añejo: Gran Patrón Burdeos. ...
- Best Valley: Fortaleza Blanco. ...
- Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco.
What is the best tequila for sipping?
Dec 15, 2021 · The premium tequila market is booming and these 14 reposados from our Top 100 Spirits list of 2021 are the best we reviewed this year, …
What is the best tequila for the money?
Apr 08, 2022 · Casa Dragones Joven. $285 AT RESERVE BAR. Casa Dragones is labeled as a sipping tequila—for good reason. At nearly $300, this isn't something you're going to shoot or mix in a margarita. It's ...
What is the best brand of tequila?
Aug 14, 2020 · BUY IT HERE. Best Tequila Under $30 Good tequila doesn't need to be super expensive to still be good tequila. Take Camarena Reposado, a budget-friendly pick aged in oak barrels for 60 days that's ...
Which tequila is smoothest?
Feb 11, 2022 · Espolòn's 100% blue agave blanco is an excellent value. Notes of tropical fruit, citrus zest, ginger and grilled pineapples lead to an elegant, spice-laden finish. At less than $30 a pop, you won’t feel bad mixing this into a cocktail, though the quality is good enough to sip on its own. What Our Experts Say.
Which tequila is better for sipping?
The 19 Best Sipping TequilasClase Azul Reposado. $109 AT RESERVE BAR. ... Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo Tequila. $272 AT RESERVE BAR. ... Casa Dragones Joven. $285 AT RESERVE BAR. ... Patrón Estate Release. $108 AT RESERVE BAR. ... Casamigos Añejo. $55 AT RESERVE BAR. ... Cazadores Añejo Cristalino. ... El Tesoro Extra Añejo. ... Riazul Tequila Añejo.More items...•09-Nov-2021
What type of tequila is the smoothest?
Añejo. Añejo tequilas are aged from one to three years, and are considered the best type of tequila for sipping because of their smoother flavor.15-Jan-2014
What color tequila is best for sipping?
Gold tequila is best served solo, as it is meant to be sipped and savored. It is aged in barrels for months or years, resulting in a range of light to dark amber and caramel colors.
Is reposado or Blanco better for sipping?
Which works in cocktails, and which is better sipping neat? Tequila blanco has a straightforward flavor that's great in cocktails like Margaritas or highball cocktails like Ranch Water. Tequila reposado is fantastic in cocktails; it adds a sophisticated nuance to the flavor of the drink.19-Apr-2021
Can you sip tequila?
Drinking Tequila on It's Own Many tequila connoisseurs will swear that the best way to drink tequila is to sip it on its own. If you do this, you can order your tequila chilled, on the rocks (ice) or straight up, but most prefer it chilled. Do not order it with salt and lime, that is only for shots.
What is the difference between agave and anejo tequila?
Joven – A mixture of Blanco and Reposado tequilas. Añejo – Tequilas aged between 1-3 years in oak barrels. Extra Añejo is aged 3 years or more. Mixto – Tequila containing less than 100% blue agave, usually mixed with sugars or other spirits.
Who makes the smoothest tequila?
Here, the best sipping tequilas our experts recommend to drink right now.Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco. ... Best Splurge: Don Ramón Limited Edition Extra Añejo. ... Best Gift: Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend. ... Best Highlands: Tequila Chamucos Reposado. ... Best Under $50: Teremana Blanco. ... Best Under $30: El Tequileño Reposado.More items...
Is Don Julio better than Patron?
Don Julio Blanco is the best tequila, even when compared to Patron Silver. It has a lemon, grapefruit, and agave aroma that you can drink neat or on the rocks. On the other hand, Patron silver smells pleasant because of the agave's scent, but it lacks depth and taste complexity compared to the Don Julio Blanco.21-Jan-2022
Is reposado tequila better than silver?
Reposado, meaning “rested” in Spanish, is a kind of tequila that has been aged between 60 to 365 days in an oak barrel. Reposado tequila is less gold and more of a light amber. Though it is closer to silver tequila in age, it is far less harsh than young tequila while maintaining a fair amount of agave bite.10-Apr-2021
What is the top shelf tequila?
Best Overall: Casamigos Blanco Tequila. ... Best Top-Shelf: Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila. ... Best Cheap: Sauza Silver Tequila. ... Best Mid-Price: Herradura Silver Tequila. ... Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo Tequila. ... Best Blanco/Silver: Espolòn Blanco. ... Best Reposado: Olmeca Tezòn Reposado Tequila.More items...•18-Oct-2021
How do you drink reposado tequila?
To drink, simply take a small sip of tequila straight and enjoy. If you feel the need as a new tequila drinker, you can try your tequila with some lime (called limon in Mexico) and some (finely ground) salt. After every sip or two, dip your wedge of lime into a small amount of salt and suck on it.24-Jan-2022
What is Mexico's best tequila?
1. El Jimador. Despite being one of the cheaper brands on the market, El Jimador uses 100% agave in all of its tequilas. It's also currently the best-selling tequila in Mexico.18-Apr-2021
Altos Anejo ( Zach Johnston)
Altos is Olmeca’s bespoke and sustainable arm. The Highland tequila is all about an agave-to-glass experience that highlights those rolling hills of blue agave in Jalisco. The piñas are harvested by hand, roasted in a massive brick oven, crushed by tahona stone, fermented with proprietary yeast, and triple distilled in copper pot stills.
Cincoro Añejo ( Gabrielle Pharms)
Cincoro was created by Michael Jordan and four other NBA team owners who bonded over their mutual appreciation for tequila. The award-winning brand offers four expressions: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Extra Añejo. The Añejo is crafted with 100% Weber blue agave and is matured in barrels previously used to age bourbon.
Casa Noble Extra Anejo ( Chris Osburn)
Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo, founder of Casa Noble, is a seventh-generation tequila-maker. While every product from the distillery is notable, its extra añejo expression is an award-winning, single barrel offering that is so special, every bottle is numbered and signed by Hermosillo himself.
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Anejo ( Zach Johnston)
This is the mountaintop of the Jose Cuervo line. Time is key with this expression, as the agaves are slowly cooked, the juices are slowly fermented and distilled, and the tequila is given lots of time to mature. It takes three years of resting in bourbon and French oak to reach the “extra” anejo heights of this tequila.
El Tesoro Anejo ( Dane Rivera)
Don’t let those extra months in the barrel of El Tesoro’s Extra Añejo tempt you into splurging on the more expensive expression. El Tesoro’s less aged Añejo has all the complexities you’d want from an expertly aged Tequila with subtle floral notes that linger pleasingly on the palate between sips.
Código 1530 Añejo ( Chris Osburn)
This award-winning añejo is made using a historic family recipe in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico (located 33 kilometers north of Guadalajara). It’s made from 100% Blue Weber agave, using high-pressure cooking, an authentic roller mill, pot still distilled, before being aged for 18 months in charred French oak wine barrels from Napa Valley, California.
Fortaleza Añejo ( Chris Osburn)
You might pay a little more for it, but you can bet cracking open a bottle of Fortaleza Añejo is going to be an epic sipping experience. This juice is made from 100% stone-crushed Blue Weber agave that’s double distilled in copper pot stills before being aged for 18 months in charred American oak barrels and bottled in hand-blown bottles.
The best blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas to be savored on their own
Betsy Andrews is a freelance journalist specializing in wine, spirits, food, travel, and the environment.
Best Overall: Tequila Ocho Plata
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Pepper, Citrus, Grass, Stone fruit
Best Blanco: Don Fulano Blanco
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, Lemongrass, Cooked agave
Best Reposado: Siete Leguas Reposado
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Baking spices, Vanilla, Slate, Shale
Best Añejo: Don Julio Añejo
Don Julio, Chasse notes, takes care of its raw materials. When the producers were planting their fields, they used much more land than other producers and spaced the agave out so as not to overtax the soil and sap it of its nutrients.
Best Extra Añejo: Gran Patrón Burdeos
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa powder, Dates, Caramel
Best for Beginners: Casamigos Blanco
To help guests appreciate the nuances of a great sipping tequila, says Hurley, “My job is to get people away from drinking tequila chilled with lime and salt.” Casamigos helps. With its sweet, vanilla intensity, it’s a great entry tequila. “It’s like vanilla ice cream,” Hurley says.
For when your shaker needs a break
Celine Bossart is a New York-based freelance journalist and photographer specializing in wine and spirits.
Best Blanco: Caballito Cerrero Azul Blanco Agave Spirit
Las Vegas bartender Alexandra Farrington, an expert when it comes to artisanal tequila production, recommends sipping on this Blanco expression by Caballito Cerrero, a cult favorite among agave enthusiasts.
Best Reposado: Aldez Organic Tequila Reposado
"Aldez became my favorite sipping tequila because of its stunning flavors, unique personality, and high quality,” says Camila Fernandez, bar manager at Osamil Upstairs in New York City.
Best Añejo: Tromba Anejo Tequila
Aged for two years, Tequila Tromba’s Añejo expression—like the rest of its range—is a family affair overseen by owner and distiller Marco Cedano, an industry veteran of nearly four decades, along with his son, Rodrigo.
Best Kosher: Siembra Valles Reposado Tequila
Javier Gomez, head bartender at New York’s ATLA, is a proponent of agave spirits that are not only palate-pleasing but also represent meaning and purpose. For him, few tequilas fit the bill more than Siembra Valles Reposado.
Best Value: Tres Agaves Organic Añejo Tequila
If you’re looking for a solid Añejo for the price of a Reposado or Blanco (and an organic one at that), Tres Agaves is your best bet. It’s the product of a fully organic 1 operation and is double-distilled and aged for approximately 18 months in ex-bourbon and Tennessee whiskey barrels.
Best Award-Winning: Tequila Partida Reposado
"Many purists contend that Blanco is the purest expression of the agave plant, but this Reposado would give them a run for their money, just with slightly darker and deeper flavors than what a Blanco might offer,” says Erik Delanoy, a longtime New York City bartender.
This light spirit is perfect for Margaritas
Vicki Denig is a wine and travel writer and content creator. She has a background as a wine buyer and consultant.
Best Overall: 123 Certified Organic Blanco (Uno)
Organic 1, delicious and environmentally friendly (the company bottles its spirits in hand-blown recycled glass and labels them with soy ink-printed 2, recycled paper labels)—what more could you want? 123 Organic Tequila is the brainchild of David Ravandi, a long-time agave grower and artisanal tequila producer.
Best for Sipping: Tequila Ocho Plata
This sipping tequila is crafted by Carlos Camarena, a third-generation tequilero, and Tomas Estes, who was an official ambassador of tequila to the EU. Agave for Tequila Ocho Plata is harvested from high-altitude growing sites and is distilled with close attention to detail.
Best for Margaritas: Herradura Silver
If you're looking to make cocktails on a budget, Herradura Silver blanco is a great pick. This medium-bodied tequila is aged for 45 days, which adds an extra layer of texture to its smooth palate. Pleasant notes of citrus, herbs and wood beautifully complement the simple ingredients used in a Margarita .
Best for Cocktails: Don Abraham Organic Blanco
When making cocktails, using a high-quality, yet affordable bottle is key to allow your drink to shine. Don Abraham Organic Blanco offers a happy medium. Flavor-packed, certified organic 1 and estate-grown, this floral-driven tequila is loaded with flavors of peppery fruit, crushed rocks and sweet spice.
Best Organic: Tres Agaves Blanco
This award-winning tequila is ideal for those looking to sip responsibly without sacrificing quality. Tres Agaves farms its agave organically 1, as the brand believes that this allows the soil-driven notes of the Tequila Valley to shine through.
Best Value: Patrón Silver
Smooth and clean, Patrón's tequilas are some of the best quality-to-price spirits in this category. Patrón Silver is produced from hand-picked blue agave and is distilled in copper-lined stills. The resulting tequila is nuanced, aromatic, and loaded with flavors of pineapple, yellow stone fruit and vanilla.
1. El Tesoro Single Barrel Reposado
El Tesoro master distiller Carlos Camarena holds many titles and distinctions. He’s a fifth generation tequila maker, a third generation master distiller, and also the CEO of El Tesoro. His liquid is incredible, and perhaps none is so great as the Single Barrel Reposado.
2. Flecha Azul Tequila
In a world increasingly populated by white celebrity brand owners, Flecha Azul stands apart. Founded by PGA golfer Abraham Ancer and Aron Marquez, Flecha Azul Tequila is produced, owned, and operated by a multi-generational family.
3. Tanteo Blanco
Produced in the only distillery owned and operated by a co-op of agave farmers, Tanteo can trace the pedigree of its quality all the way back to the soil. We suggest trying the unaged blanco first. This silver tequila is bright and spicy, showing both minerality and hints of peppercorn, but sweetness balances the experience nicely.
4. Casa Noble Añejo
New packaging may make this tequila unrecognizable on the shelves, but you should make yourself aware, because Casa Noble is one of the most delicious brands out there. We’re particular fans of the Añejo. Founder and master distiller Pepe Hermosillo’s blended batch of tequilas are aged in French oak for a finish that’s spicy and toasty.
5. El Tequileño Blanco
Other tequila producers might advise you to shy away from mixto tequilas. They’re probably just jealous of the brands that can make something really great. Case in point: El Tequileño Blanco. Made with 70 percent agave and 30 percent sugar, the hybrid product is a delicious cocktail ingredient.
6. Mijenta Reposado
This relatively new brand is deceptively backed by wisdom, specifically the decades of tequila-making wisdom of cofounder and maestra tequilera Ana Maria Romero. Romero’s Mijenta debuted in 2020 with Blanco.