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Welcome to the ultimate journey through the world of spirits, where we explore the allure of one of the most celebrated beverages—tequila! Whether you're a connoisseur or simply curious, discovering the best tequila brands can transform your experience from ordinary to extraordinary.
In this blog, we will take you on a tour of the globe to unveil the finest tequilas that promise not just a perfect shot but a taste of history and craftsmanship. Get ready to savour the flavours that set these brands apart from the rest and find your new favourite. We'll explore tequilas that are as nuanced as a fine wine, with notes of citrus, pepper, and even chocolate.
Here is the list of 10 best tequila brands
Don Julio
Don Julio holds a legendary status in the tequila world for a reason. Founded in 1942 by Don Julio González, the brand prioritises quality at every step. Their tequilas are crafted from 100% Blue Weber agave, hand-selected at peak maturity from the rich, volcanic soil of Jalisco, Mexico.
Unlike some mass-produced brands, Don Julio uses a slow, traditional tahona stone milling process to extract the purest agave essence. This method, though more labour-intensive, preserves the delicate flavours of the plant. Their Blanco boasts a clean, agave-forward taste, ideal for savouring the spirit's essence. The Reposado takes things up a notch, with a smooth character developed through eight months of ageing in oak casks.
For a truly luxurious experience, Don Julio's Añejo expressions, aged for 18 months or more, offer complex notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice. Also, Don Julio 1942 Tequila, aged for over two and a half years boasts a rich roasted agave flavour.
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Patrón
Forget the rockstar reputation and celebrity endorsements, Patrón holds a well-earned place at the top of the tequila pyramid. Born in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, where the air is crisp and the agave thrives, Patrón takes meticulousness to a whole new level.
Their tequilas are like handcrafted stories – each bottle starts with the finest, hand-selected Weber Blue Agave, cooked slowly in traditional brick ovens to coax out its natural sweetness. This slow and steady approach results in a spirit that's smooth as silk.
Their silver expression is a blank canvas for a perfect margarita, allowing the bright agave notes to take centre stage. Craving a little more depth? The Reposado, aged for at least two months in oak barrels, whispers of vanilla and spice, adding intrigue to your sipping experience. And for those who truly appreciate the finer things, Patron's aged tequilas are like sipping liquid gold – a luxurious adventure into the realm of caramel and chocolate flavours.
So, next time you're looking for a tequila that elevates your cocktail game or provides a luxuriously smooth sip, reach for Patrón – a testament to the quality and a true contender for the title of best tequila brand.
Herradura
Steeped in history since 1870, Herradura (meaning horseshoe in Spanish), is crafted in the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, the birthplace of tequila. They use only 100 per cent blue Weber agave, patiently extracting its essence before slow-cooking it in clay ovens. This adds a depth of flavour unmatched by many.
Their Silver offering is aged for 45 days beyond industry standards, lending a touch of oak to its agave sweetness. Whether you're a tequila aficionado or new to the spirit, Herradura offers a spectrum of choices. Their Reposado, aged for 11 months, is a smooth sipper, while the ultra-premium Selección Suprema, boasting 49 months of ageing, is a connoisseur's delight.
No matter your preference, Herradura's commitment to quality ensures a perfect shot – a balanced burst of agave with subtle nuances depending on your selection. So, if you're searching for the best tequila brand for a truly authentic experience, look no further than Herradura.
Tequila Ocho
Forget mass-produced monotony, Tequila Ocho is a tequila rockstar. Born in 2008 from a tequila dynasty and a tequila visionary, Ocho shattered the mould by becoming the world's first single-estate tequila.
Imagine agave hearts, basking under the Jalisco sun for eight years, all hand-selected from one specific plot. Each batch is a unique and collectable masterpiece, a bottled snapshot of that land and that moment. Unlike the typical tequila factory, Ocho embraces tradition. They use a giant, volcanic rock millstone called a tahona to crush the cooked agave, coaxing out the purest flavours.
Their Blanco, fresh and un-aged, is a revelation – a symphony of grassy and citrus notes that sings of the raw agave magic. Craving something more? Dive into their varietal tequilas, like the Ocho Plata Carrete, where volcanic soil infuses the spirit with a hint of smoky intrigue. Every Ocho tequila elevates your shot to an experience. It's not just a drink, it's a journey through the heart of Jalisco, a toast to heritage, and a sip of pure agave terroir.
El Tesoro
El Tesoro stands as a gem among the best tequila brands, offering a sip of heritage straight from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This brand takes pride in its traditional methods, from harvesting 100 per cent blue agave by hand to distilling in copper pot stills, ensuring each batch captures the essence of its rich, earthy flavours. What makes El Tesoro truly unique is its fermentation process, which uses the agave's natural yeast, enhancing the tequila's complexity and depth.
For those looking to explore the best of El Tesoro, El Tesoro offers a range of tequilas, but for a perfect shot, try the El Tesoro Reposado. Aged for six to eight months, it balances a crisp agave character with hints of vanilla and caramel, making for an incredibly smooth and satisfying experience.
Their Añejo expression takes things up a notch, patiently ageing for two to three years in ex-bourbon barrels. This ageing process creates a flavour, where the bright agave notes mingle with hints of oak, vanilla, and even floral whispers.
Casamigos
Craving a celebrity-backed tequila that delivers? Look no further than Casamigos, the brainchild of Hollywood royalty George Clooney and Rande Gerber. Forget the agave ghosts of mass production. Casamigos hails from the tequila promised land, and uses only the finest 100% Blue Weber agaves.
These agaves are slow-roasted in traditional brick ovens, unlocking their natural sweetness before a careful distillation process. The result? A smooth, ultra-premium tequila meant to be savoured, not slammed. While Casamigos offers a Blanco for those who love the pure agave essence, their Reposado is a true crowd-pleaser. Aged for seven to eight months in American white oak barrels, it picks up hints of vanilla and caramel, creating a perfectly balanced and sip-able experience.
So ditch the lime and salt (Casamigos argues their tequila is so good it needs no chaser) and explore the world of Casamigos. You might just discover your new favourite tequila, A-list-approved.
Olmeca Altos
Olmeca Altos, recognised as one of the best tequila brands, hails from the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. This brand prides itself on traditional methods, including using 100% blue agave, cooked in brick ovens and crushed with a tahona wheel. This process ensures a pure and rich agave flavour. The standout picks from Olmeca Altos include the crisp, clear Plata, perfect for a fresh shot, and the oak-aged Reposado, which adds a smooth, woody note to its rich agave base. Each bottle of Olmeca Altos promises a shot of authentic, high-quality tequila.
Espolòn
Espolòn is celebrated as one of the best tequila brands known for its bold, expressive bottles featuring iconic Mexican art, Espolòn pays homage to Mexican heritage not only through its visuals but also through its traditional distilling process. Using 100 per cent blue Weber agave, the heart of the plant is steam-cooked in stainless steel autoclaves to preserve its pure flavours.
The brand's standout offerings, Espolòn Blanco and Espolòn Reposado, each contribute uniquely to the perfect shot. Espolòn Blanco, unaged and bottled immediately after distillation, delivers a bright, spicy flavour that’s ideal for lively tequila-based cocktails or a crisp, invigorating shot. The Reposado, aged for six months in American oak barrels, offers a smoother, more mellow experience, with hints of vanilla and caramel that enrich the agave’s natural sweetness.
Codigo 1530
Código 1530 tequila isn't your frat party friend; it's a hand-crafted elixir whispered about by Mexican aristocracy for generations. Here, in the charming town of Amatitán, Código 1530 meticulously coaxes liquid gold from the earth. Forget the standard American barrels – their tequilas bathe in luxurious French Oak Cabernet Sauvignon casks, infusing them with the whispers of red fruit and spice. Each sip is a revelation.
The Blanco, unaged and bursting with agave energy, is a purist's dream. Want to go full-on agave rockstar? The Origen, aged for six years in those Cabernet casks, is a flavour explosion – a tequila tango with notes of cognac-like richness. Código 1530 isn't just a shot, it's an experience.
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Fortaleza
Fortaleza isn't just any brand, it's a family legacy dating back to 1873, practically the dawn of tequila itself. Crafted by Guillermo Erickson Sauza, the fifth generation of a renowned tequila-making family, Fortaleza meticulously honours tradition.
Their agaves are estate-grown in Jalisco, Mexico, and cooked in brick ovens – a method that imparts a smoky depth you won't find in mass-produced brands. Fortaleza offers a myriad of expressions, but their Blanco is a revelation. Un-aged and bottled at full proof, it showcases the pure agave essence, exploding with peppery spice and hints of citrus.
For a smoother experience, their Reposado, aged in ex-bourbon barrels, offers a delightful balance of agave and vanilla. Each sip is a journey – a taste of history, dedication, and the perfect agave spirit. While the best tequila brand is subjective, Fortaleza stands strong for those seeking an authentic, artisanal experience in every shot.