Aejo Vs Reposado Vs Blanco
Different tequila types are categorized by how long they are aged. Añejo is aged the longest, followed by Reposado and then Blanco. Añejo is the darkest in color and is excellent for sipping on its own. Reposado will be tan in color and is great for tequila shots or mixing into heavier cocktails. Blanco is clear and is perfect for mixed drinks.
Corazon Buffalo Trace Old 22 Aejo
This is a whiskey lovers tequila. Its aged at least 22 months in barrels that once held Buffalo Trace whiskey, and it has notes of vanilla, oak, and bread, followed by a creamy finish. Its yellow-green hue reminded some of our tasters of Sauvignon Blanc, and it is similarly silky and acidic. Average price: $89.
If Your Tequila Isnt 100 Percent Blue Agave Its Not Worth Drinking
High-end tequila is meant to be sipped, not shot.
If you consider yourself to be a tequila drinker , then there are a couple basic facts that you should know about the spirit. One, there are three primary varieties: blanco , reposado , and añejo . And two, you should never, ever drink a tequila that doesnt say 100 Percent Agave, 100 Percent Blue Agave, 100 Percent Agave Azul, or something along those lines on the label. Heres why.
Lets start by explaining exactly what tequila is. The process used to make real tequila starts with the blue agave, a relative of the aloe plant, and by law it must be grown in the state of Jalisco or a handful of otherMexican municipalities. The sharp leaves of the plant are cut away, leaving only the heart of the plant, called the piña, behind. These piñas, which can weigh up to several hundred pounds, are heated and pressed, and the resulting juice is distilled into tequila. And thats it. Its 100 percent blue agave because the tequila is made with only the juice of blue agaves. Pretty straightforward.
You May Like: Belvedere Vodka Carbs
Does Patron Have 100% Agave
This plant grows in hot, dry areas of Mexico, where it is harvested year round. Antonio Rodriguez, Production Director for Patron Tequila, explains, Tequila Patron consists of only 100% blue agave, the Weber Blue Agave, making it uniquely different. Agave should provide the tequilas primary flavors..
Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata Silver Tequila: Best Blanco Tequila
Price: £54 |
This unaged, clear tequila is triple distilled for an exceptionally smooth sipping experience, with slight hints of citrus, floral notes and white pepper. Theres no throat burning with this premium tequila from Sauza, named for the three generations of their family who have been making their tequila since 1873.
In fact, theyre one of the most awarded families of tequilas, with six gongs at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious in the industry. Its clean, fresh tasting and well balanced.
Key specs Alcohol content: 38% Bottle size: 70cl Type: Blanco
Read Also: Svedka Flavored Vodka Carbs
For Your Sipping And Mixing Pleasure
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Whether you’re looking to take some tequila shots with friends or mix up some delicious margaritas or cocktails, finding the perfect tequila can be a tedious search. With so many on the market, it can seem impossible to find one that’s right for you. But the important thing is to select a tequila that you can savor, no matter how you’re enjoying it. Learn how tequila types are categorized and which kind is best for mixing into cocktails or sipping straight.
Here are the best tequilas to satisfy your needs on any drinking night.
Technically, a margarita is just a soura cocktail family comprised of a base spirit, a sweetener, and some citrus. Sours stand the test of time and trend because theyre refreshing and easy to execute. But a cocktail with so few ingredients requires each ingredient to hold its own. You dont need to spend a lot of money, but you do want quality.
If youre more of a sometimes take shots of tequila on the weekends person, a $300 bottle of tequila may sound nuts. But, for those who like their Japanese whisky neat and dream about that one time they want to Islay, this is the tequila that will convince the terroir-loving spirits drinker of tequilas elegance and craftsmanship.
Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Anejo
From the highlands of Jalisco comes this premium line of tequila, from 100% estate-grown agaves.
“By law all tequila must be distilled twice, however a select few choose to distill a third time, like this one,” said Jimenez. “This expression is aged three years in French white oak barrels that have been heavily roasted. The result is a rich amber color tequila with some soft and well-integrated oak on the nose, and on the palate cinnamon spice and white pepper.”
Also Check: Captain Morgan Carb Count
Why Is There A Worm In Tequila
According to Anthony Dias Blues Complete Book of Spirits, that worm is actually a larva from one of two types of moths, known as maguey worms, that live on the agave plant. These larvae are called gusano and bottles of mezcal that contain the lil guys are referred to as con gusano.
Does tequila give you a hangover? 1 Tequila Doesnt Give You A Hangover.
If you aggressively slam it back, it will get mad and return the favor. US regulations, on the other hand, allow it to be called tequila even if contains as much as 49 percent other liquids, commonly sugar-based alcohols. That means if you drink it, youre mixing alcohols.
Is tequila or vodka more expensive? Tequila is distilled into five different types, while vodka only has one form. Tequila has varied taste and vodka doesnt. Vodka is consumed more in the U.S. than tequila. Tequila is more expensive than vodka.
Can you smell tequila on your breath? Alcohol doesnt have any smell. Its the hops, barley and other stuff that you can smell on your breath.
Blanco Silver Or White Tequila
Blanco tequila is a transparent spirit that isnt necessarily completely colorless and is diluted with water, to the proper bottling ABV. To be considered a Blanco or silver tequila, you can mature or age the spirit in oak barrels for zero to two months. If you age your Blanco tequila for more than two months, it will be considered a Reposado tequila. Which well cover next.
Recommended Reading: What Do You Mix With Honey Whiskey
There’s A Great Tequila For Every Taste And Budget
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
Whether you enjoy tequila shots or want to mix up a great , todays tequila market offers many excellent choices. Blanco tequilas are the most versatile and often preferred because they cost less, while the aged tequilasreposado and añejoare a nice upgrade worthy of the occasional splurge. For most styles, the best tequilas include the words “100 percent Blue Weber Agave” on the label, and you will pay a little extra for premium brands, but the majority of these are relatively affordable.
That means there’s no need to hesitate about mixing any of these best tequilas into your favorite cocktails.
Casamigos Tequila is a perfect introduction to premium tequilas. The portfolio follows the basic grading system for tequilas, which is standard for most brands and includes a blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila.
Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, citrus, cream | ABV: 40% | Region: Jalisco
Best For Margaritas: Herradura Silver
Image Source / ReserveBar
Region: Mexico | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Agave, Oak
Herradura is well known and for the price, says Reniel Garcia, bar director of Havana 1957 on Española Way. Fruity and spicy, great to sip or make your favorite Margarita. Its particularly flavorful in a Margarita because Herraduras silver tequila is aged in oak for 45 days, infusing it with soft flavors to round out this classic cocktail.
Dont Miss: Drinks To Make With Honey Whiskey
Recommended Reading: Svedka Mango Pineapple Mixers
La Cava De Don Samuel
From the small highland town of Atotonilco in Jalisco comes this extraordinary line of tequila.
“Don Samuel was one of the biggest commercial entrepreneurs in the town,” said Bonilla. “In 2007 he created a special production of around 10,000 bottles of Reposado tequila. This reserve is so unique, and there are not that many on the market. It must be tried.”
Best Aejo: Don Julio Aejo Tequila
It’s hard to find faults in the tequilas of Don Julio. They are readily available, super smooth, and richly flavored with the distinct tequila flavors that make the spirit special. The brand’s aged tequilas are particularly impressive and have a reputation that puts them among the best of the best.
Don Julio Añejo is one you wont want to miss. It instantly improves any cocktail it touches and really shines in a shaken margarita with fresh lime. If you are looking to mix up some of the best tequila drinks you can afford, its the tequila to keep in your bar. While its probably too pricey for a shot, its a very smooth sipper enjoyed by many tequila aficionados.
Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Toasted oak, caramel, baked yam | ABV: 40% | Region: Los Altos, Jalisco
Añejo Tequila is tequila that is aged in oak barrels for at least a year, but not over three years, says Brian Eadie, lead bartender at Geraldines Austin in Texas. It has a sweet, woody aroma with notes of smoke, burnt caramel, and dried fruitsdefinitely a sipping tequila. Añejo is great for making a tequila old-fashioned and substituting the whiskey for añejo tequila, orange bitters for Angostura bitters, and brown sugar for white sugar.
Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Sweet agave, anise, mineral | ABV: 40% | Region: Los Altos, Jalisco
Also Check: What Do You Mix Tito’s Vodka With
Best Cheap: Sauza Silver Tequila
Budget tequilas are tricky, and it is very easy to get burned when you buy the wrong one. Sauza Silver is one that wont let you down or leave your mouth on fire. It may not be as smooth as top-shelf tequilas, but it is one of the best affordable options, and its in nearly every liquor store.
Sauza is distilled in the town of Tequila and right across the street from Jose Cuervo. While both brands are famous for their cheap gold tequilas, Sauzas 100 percent blue Weber agave silver tequila is a smoother option for tequila shots when you want to save money. It makes a nice margarita as well, particularly when blended with fruits like strawberry and pineapple.
Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Fresh agave, fiber, pepper | ABV: 40% | Region: Los Valles, Jalisco
Silver tequilas are unaged and the most affordable of any brands lineup. Tequila Herradura offers a brilliant example that should be almost anywhere you look. It is premium, but not priced out of reach for the average drinker, and it always produces a great tequila cocktail.
Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Cooked agave, citrus, black pepper | ABV: 40% | Region: Tequila Valley, Jalisco
Besides The Margarita What Other Cocktails Are Made With Tequila
You may think the only choice is frozen or on the rocks when it comes to a tequila cocktail, but there are actually many interesting and delicious recipes besides the margarita. The paloma, for example, has gained recent popularity it’s a mixture of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. There is, of course, the tequila sunrise, but you can also make drinks like the tequila sangria and a tequila screwdriver.
Don’t Miss: Mango Pineapple Vodka Cocktails
Teremana Small Batch Tequila
Drizly
The Rocks premium tequila brand has been flying off store shelves ever since its launch last March. Now, fans of Dwayne Johnson and tequila alike can purchase Teremana online and get it delivered to their door.
The ultra-premium highlands tequila uses all the beverage buzz words, like small batch production, and distilled in handmade copper pot stills. But beyond the hype, its a smooth, easy to drink option naturally sweetened with the rich aroma of mature agave plants, with a clean finish.
The name, Johnson explains, was inspired by his Polynesian background. TERA means of the Earth and MANA is our powerful Polynesian spirit that guides us. Spirit of the Earth, he says.
You May Like: Blanco Tequila Vs Silver
A Buying Guide To Tequilas
The tequilas recommended here are by no means a comprehensive list, but rather suggestions for widely available tequilas across many price points.
Some good buying guidelines are:
- Avoid anything that is packaged in plastic or that costs less than $15 as these are signs of cheap tequila thatll burn like hellfire down your throat and taste like lighter fluid.
- Buy only tequila that states 100% agave on the bottle.
- Its perfectly reasonable to find a smooth, flavorful tequila for $25-$30 thats great for shots, cocktails, or sipping. A high price does not always indicate high quality.
- If theres a worm or scorpion or, really, any animal in the bottle, then dont buy it. Its a marketing gimmick used to sell cheaply produced tequilas and its almost guaranteed to be dreck.
Recommended Reading: Best Gin Rummy
Patron Silver Tequila 100% De Agave 750ml Empty Decanter/bottle With Cork
Seller: 64854100%, Location:Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Ships to: US, Item:303720348022Patron Silver Tequila 100% de Agave 750ml EMPTY DECANTER/BOTTLE with Cork. For Sale is a great Silver Patron Tequila Agave empty decanter/bottle with original round cork stopper. It is in perfect condition and has been rinsed.Thanks, for looking!Condition:New, Restocking Fee:No, All returns accepted:Returns Accepted, Item must be returned within:30 Days, Refund will be given as:Money Back, Return shipping will be paid by:Buyer, Color:Clear bottles with silver logo/label, Brand:Patron, Featured Refinements:Patrón Tequila Bottle, Volume:750ml bottle See More
- Popularity 0 views, 0 views per day, 354 days on eBay. 0 sold, 1 available. More
Best Reposado: Olmeca Tezn Reposado Tequila
Los Altos is a region of Jalisco, Mexico thats known for producing some amazing tequilas. Its home to the Olmeca Distillery, the makers of Tequila Tezòn. While all of the tequilas are very enjoyable, the brands reposado is superb.
Reposado tequilas are aged for three to nine months, so theyre gently rested and pick up a perfect amount of oak flavors. Tezòn also uses a tahona wheel to extract the juice from the agave, which is an old-fashioned approach that leads to a truer taste. The result is one of the best reposado tequilas on the market and one that anyone will enjoy drinking in any way they please.
Bottle Size: 750 milliliters | Tasting Notes: Roasted agave, leather, pickles | ABV: 40% | Region: Jalisco
Reposado tequila is a great middle-ground for cocktails. The mellow aged flavor can make them a fantastic choice for palomas, tequila sodas, or on the rocks. Blaze LaRoe, Beverage Director at Chikatana
Before the tequila boom of the last couple of decades, gold tequila was almost the only choice at many liquor stores. This category is a mixto meaning that its distilled from agave plant varietals other than the famous blue Weber. While gold tequilas are not as popular as they once were, theres something appealing about their caramel taste and low price. Youll want to be smart about which to drink, and Two Fingers Gold Tequila is one of the best in this category.
Don’t Miss: Svedka Dragonfruit Melon Recipes
There Is A Right Temperature For Tequila
While there are many delicious tequila cocktails, youll never truly know tequila until you sip it straight. While Hermosillo prefers his neat, he says its OK to add iceas long as its a large ice block rather than small cubes. Thats so you dont dilute it, he notes. Youre just going to cool down the temperature. I enjoy tequila at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. You dont want to drink tequila hotthen youll get that big hit of alcohol and you wont be able to enjoy all the notes.
Is 100 Agave Tequila Better
The higher the percentage of agave used in tequilas, the better it tastes, says Cuellar, and you might associate tequila with headaches from those mixed-alcohol tequilas. A high-quality tequila will clearly state that it is 100% agave, and stay away from brands that label themselves with the word oro.
Recommended Reading: Svedka Peach Vodka Nutrition Facts
El Bandido Yankee Tequila
El Bandido Yankee
A new entry into the tequila market, El Bandido Yankee launched in 2021 by former NFL player Jim Bob Morris and restaurateur and NHL Hall of Fame Hockey Player Chris Chelios. The idea: to create an ultra premium, ultra-smooth tequila at an accessible price point. This is an all-around crowd-pleasing tequila, too, with a wonderfully distinct flavor profile thats at once rich and complex. Notes of pepper and vanilla balance the buttery profile along with hints of citrus. The Reposado expression is also aged in stripped and recharred American Oak bourbon barrels, which gives it a deliciously herbaceous toasted flavor.
Though we prefer El Bandido Yankee as a sipping tequila , the flavor has enough bite to make for some beautiful cocktails, too. Everything is made in with 100% blue weber agave and is confirmed all-natural and additive-free for a tequila that goes down smooth and silky. We like what the brand is doing with the no-for-profit S.A.C.R.E.D too, which re-invests 100% of proceeds from merchandise and a portion of tequila sales back into the local Mexican communities where agave spirits are made to identify and support vital needs.