You’re visiting Mexico soon and want to buy a bottle of tequila, either for yourself or as a gift, but you don’t know where to start? Staring at a huge wall covered in tequila bottles with absolutely no clue can be daunting, we know. So, hopefully, this ‘Best Tequilas Guide’ can ease this process.
What Tequila do you recommend? As Mexicans, this is one of the most recurring questions we get. To answer it, we asked our friends and family to name their favorites and came up with a list of the best tequilas for every budget and occasion.
“If you don’t like tequila, it’s probably because you haven’t found the right one for you.”
The Tequila community
Best tequilas guide 2020
To make cocktails
Almost all cocktails are made with Tequila Blanco because it has the strongest/purest taste of the agave plant (it isn’t aged in barrels like the other types), which goes very well with other flavors.
These are the favorites:
- Casa Dragones Blanco
- Tequila Patrón Silver
- Tequila Altos Plata
Note: Make sure you buy a Licor de Chile Ancho Reyes (Chile Poblano) or Licor de Chile Ancho Reyes (Chile Ancho). They are chili liqueurs used in many Mexican cocktails. It gives them a spicy touch.
For those who say “Tequila is too strong for me”
(or for those who already like Tequila and want to try something new)
Look for the Tequilas Cristalinos. They’re filtered añejos that have become very popular in the last couple of years.
While some connoisseurs are against them because the filtering process strips out of some of the notes that have appeared during the 14 months it aged in the barrel (what’s the point in aging it, in the first place…), for others, Cristalinos are a great opportunity to enjoy tequila for the first time. Why? Because the filtering process also makes them smoother/lighter.
Recommendations:
- Tequila Maestro Dobel Diamante
- Don Julio 70 Cristalino
- Volcán de mi Tierra Cristalino
To give as a gift/souvenir
For a special gift, Nils and I always turn to Clase Azul. Their Tequila Reposado is good, not too strong, and the bottle is a piece of art that looks lovely displayed. So, it’s really 2 gifts in 1. Oh, and if you visit Los Cabos, stop by their boutique in San José del Cabo International Airport. They have limited edition tequilas and the most beautiful chest with miniature bottles.
Others, more economical, but really good (a.k.a. you’re not paying for the fancy bottle):
- Tres Generaciones reposado
- Auténtico Alacrán reposado
- Tequila Gran Centenario reposado
Something fun & different:
- Terremoto Licor de Tequila (Churro flavor)
- Crema de Tequila 1921: imagine a Bailey’s, but with the slightest hint of tequila. I (Maggie) could sit down and drink the entire bottle in a day. It’s truly delicious.
- Licor Patrón XO Café: it’s a coffee liqueur with tequila.
For yourself
If you want to enjoy a good tequila, we would suggest the ‘Reposados’. They are aged for up to 6 months, so they’re lighter than the Blancos, but you’ll still get the distinctive agave flavor.
Recommendations:
- Tequila Tierra Noble reposado
- Tequila Trece Colonias reposado
- Siete Leguas Reposado
For a special occasion
No best tequilas guide would be complete without these. They’re a bit of an investment, but they offer a unique experience. Both of these are special editions and have great reviews, especially the first one:
- Dobel 50 Cristalino: it’s aged for more than 3 years in barrels.
- Tequila Tierra Noble Extra Añejo: aged for up to 7 years in barrels.
Have you tried any of these Tequilas? Do you have any other favorites?
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