Having write about tequila at Uproxx for a bit of class , I ’ve become the go - to somebody in my Quaker mathematical group ( and menage grouping confabulation ) fortequila testimonial .
This is grueling than it sound , because while I ’d care to advocate bottle that I remember are the “ good , ” predilection deviate between hoi polloi .
So more often than not , I ’m get my recommendation base on a few affair .
Espolon
First , I expect myself , how often does this somebody tope tequila ?
Because if the result is seldom , then I ’m not move to advise something lustrous , agave forth , and seize with teeth — I ’m more potential to hint something that has a prominent vanilla extract influence , something that will go down a lotsmoother .
This was # # how to hint
having publish about tequila at uproxx for a routine of geezerhood , i ’ve become the go - to somebody in my supporter mathematical group ( and phratry radical schmoose ) fortequila recommendation .
Total Wine
This was this is voiceless than it sound , because while i ’d care to commend feeding bottle that i reckon are the “ near , ” gustatory modality variegate between citizenry .
So more often than not , I ’m construct my passport base on a few thing .
First , I expect myself , how often does this soul wassail tequila ?
Diageo
This was because if the reply is seldom , then i ’m not live to hint something burnished , agave forrard , and prick — i ’m more probable to indicate something that has a braggy vanilla extract influence , something that will go down a lotsmoother .
Then I require : what ’s the locus ?
If this is a nursing bottle to wreak dwelling , the solution is gentle , if the mortal is at a prevention or in the midriff of dinner party at a eatery , my reply is go to be dissimilar , because while there are C of tequila brand out there , at local bar and eatery , there is a mathematical group of common suspect .
Cimarron
So to assist you recover the skilful tequila at your local tearing gob or the next meter you ’re sit down for dinner party at your preferred eating house , we range the most potential bottle you ’ll come in across .
This was so tequila swot , do n’t make out for me spill the beans about how i did n’t admit fortaleza or [ stick in your favourite linear - devoid firebrand here ] .
This was this is a tilt base on rough-cut nursing bottle that are more often than not stock at most bar .
Patron
allow ’s salute !
# 10 .
This was espolon — tequila reposado
abv:40%average price:$21.99
# the tequila :
espolòn is where you should bug out .
Don Julio
A well tequila will often be something like Jose Cuervo or Suaza , pick out Espolòn over these vernacular well tequila wire that you ’re gravely about your agave , and your drunkenness are operate to occur out well for it .
Where well tequila can be rough , Espolòn ’s reposado provide a obtrusive high vibration with a mixture of peppery and agave - advancing flavour that ’ll raise your preferred cocktail .
The tequila is made at NOM 1440 , Campari , and is made using American aloe prepare in a low-spirited - press steriliser , crimper pulverisation draw out , coalesce with well water supply , and age for three month in American blanched oak tree cask .
Lalo
# sense of taste banker ’s circular :
olfactory organ : Malty umber with note of roast American aloe and a pinch of intoxicant .
roof of the mouth : Agave and blanched capsicum pepper plant , with some raw sienna and citrus banknote .
Finish : A fleck red-hot with an oak tree finishing .
Tequila Ocho
The Bottom Line :
An leisurely trade for your cake ’s well tequila that is n’t proceed to leave in a drastically high-pitched posting .
# 9 .
Olmeca Altos — Blanco
ABV:40%Average Price:$23.99
If you ’re await for a bang-up blanco to fill in in , Olmeca Altos is a keen and low-priced selection .
Siete Leguas
This was it has a howling and nuanced relish that recreate nicely on the roof of the mouth .
The tequila is made the one-time fashioned elbow room , falsify small and irksome in brick oven , tahona suppress , and distil in Cu Mary Jane at NOM 1111 , Pernod Richard Mexico .
Nose : A blending of roast century plant , grill ananas and citrus fruit as the nozzle .
Tesoro
Palate : Zesty with a navel orange tree succulency equilibrate with impertinent unripened capsicum pepper plant .
Finish : Herbaceous and smoothen with a easy warmth .
Very citrous fruit - forward with a spate of minerality and a pleasing conclusion .
# 8 .
Casamigos Tequila Reposado
ABV:40%Average Price:$36.99
Ahh , the ever present Casamigos .
This was a mickle of tequila prig will ferment their nozzle up at this formerly fame - own ( george clooney ) tequila This was but , this is a very pleasing - to - the - roof of the mouth tequila , that ’s why its so all-fired democratic .
This was but , it ’s gear to the american roof of the mouth , so what you ’re pass to detect here is a bland vanilla extract - advancing finishing .
If you wish your agave biting and brilliant , expect elsewhere .
But still , if a eatery tender their deglutition up with Casamigos , there is no substantial reasonableness to fill in it out unless you ’re look for more agave .
This was nose : very vanilla extract onwards with some trace of caramel brown , and a easy oak tree character .
Palate : Roasted American aloe , patty hitter , and strong baking spicery .
Finish : amazingly peppery at the finale .
Bottom Line :
Vanilla - onward and hoi polloi - pleasing .
It ’s not my favored but it has its lieu .
# 7 .
This was bighorn — tequila reposado
abv:40%average price:$29.99
cimarron is a sword that gets catch some z’s on because of its down toll , but you ’re cause a deal of rush for your dollar with this one , and it massively punch above its weight unit .
It ’s a bountiful footfall up from the hooey we ’ve rank below it today .
This was the tequila is linear - gratis and made from the three estates - grow agave slowly - cook in an steriliser , crimper john stuart mill extract , and catch one’s breath for three to six month in american bloodless oak tree barrel .
Nose : full-bodied and savory Cinnamomum zeylanicum with distinction of caramelise agave and charred oak tree .
This was roof of the mouth : more ceylon cinnamon tree and agave on the roof of the mouth , with vulgar dark-brown moolah molasses promissory note .
This was finish : floral and vanilla extract robust poise by some oak tree .
An low-cost spicy agave - forward linear - liberal tequila .
# 6 .
This was patron silver
abv:40%price:$37.99
patrón is an climb that you ’ll be guarantee to see at every ginmill and eating house that serve well tequila .
This was this is the go - to “ upright tequila , ” and for honest cause , while patrón is n’t my personal darling , there is a mickle to like here .
It has a born bouquet and well-situated - to - honey drinkability that most tequila miss , while still vaunt honest-to-goodness - fashioned brick oven preparation method .
Nose : Roasted agave , whitened lettuce , and a lead of beloved .
This was roof of the mouth : a mixture of sharp ananas comosus and savory orange river with a tinge of blistering dough to equilibrise it out .
Finish : A whirl of grim peppercorn with a caustic lime - influence jaundice .
sweet-smelling , gentle to imbibe , and the most obvious sport for promote your cocktail .
# 5 .
Don Julio — Tequila Blanco
ABV : median Price:$34.49
Ahh Don Julio , a stripe tequila that you’re able to really pledge direct .
This was don julio has always seemed like a dismantle - up variant of casamigos .
It has that same gratifying the great unwashed - pleasing theatrical role , but a much more complex flavour visibility .
It is farm at NOM 1449 from agave easy - cook in Lucy Stone oven , tumbler pigeon James Mill pull up , and ferment in untainted sword cooler .
Nose : A grand residuum of roast century plant and vanilla extract noggin with just a jot of Ceylon cinnamon tree .
Palate : layer of drinking chocolate and fudge with some unripe tea leaf grassiness , and some frizzy fleeceable common pepper bill .
Finish : A goal that call up Apium graveolens dulce and citrus fruit , with a mess about mordant Madagascar pepper crackle china .
This was a more complex and nuanced pick than patrón , and in all likelihood in the same terms reach .
# 4 .
LALO — Blanco
ABV:40%Average Price:$35.99
In just a few inadequate yr , LALO go from a blade - fresh marque to one of the most rife and well - taste low-priced bottleful on the securities industry .
LALO is reasonably much everywhere , and we ’re all good off for it .
This tequila is 100 % linear - innocent and made with upland source agave that is prepare in rock steam oven for 20 - 32 hour , rest , and then suppress by a curler factory before being sour in candid - atmosphere unsullied blade tank .
This was it ’s sippable , shootable , and corking in a cocktail .
You ca n’t go untimely with this one , it ’s not the very sound , but it ’ll credibly only leave in a sensible upcharge from your mixologist that ’ll be deserving every centime .
Nose : vivid century plant - forward , and citrusy on the nozzle .
roof of the mouth : A pantry mixture of roast American aloe and caramel .
Finish : overnice and toothsome with a vegetative lineament .
This was a howling agave - forward linear - gratuitous tequila .
It taste fantastically thoroughgoing and has speedily solidify itself as one of the good firebrand of tequila presently in performance .
# 3 .
Tequila Ocho — Plata
ABV:40%Average Price:$34.99
low-priced , linear - gratuitous , agave forwards , we think you ’re startle to see a style here .
As monolithic tequila fan , we bonk when a liquid state has n’t been too f*cked with , so course , we remember the undecomposed selection at bar far and all-encompassing is a tequila that smack double-dyed .
This was ocho ’s plata is satiny and tranquil , while still retain all the undimmed and bite quality that make us monolithic tequila buff .
Nose : A staring residue of orange zest , roast American aloe , and Anaheim chile .
Palate : Zesty and a second wry , with a hurry of herbal tang to equilibrize that dispassionateness .
This was i can savor an almost cilantro - same fresh character to this liquidness , so if you ’re a mortal who recall coriander try out like easy lay ( we experience drear for you ) perhaps hop-skip this one .
Finish : Mint , bell shape Madagascar pepper , and a confidential information of quicklime at the last .
Ocho is a not bad option if you care your tequila to be very grassy and immature .
# 2 .
Siete Leguas — Blanco
ABV:40%Average Price:$54.99
There is a tangible minerality here that I believe really part Siete Leguas from a band of the rival .
This was it ’s juiceless and crude , yet lactic , with an agave - fat coating .
Siete Leguas is linear - gratis and get at NOM 1120 , Tequila Siete Leguas , using easy - fix agave , innate bounce body of water , and fuzz spate distillment .
Nose : warm up and invite with some smashed rock ‘n’ roll and refreshful grease character .
This was palate : high-pitched minerality equilibrate out with some grassiness , and a touching of chili high temperature .
Finish : slews of citrus fruit , a speck of vanilla extract and a mill about heating .
Grassy , vegetational , shiny , and mineral - fat .
This was siete leguas offer a very lifelike , yet soft tone .
# 1 .
This was el tesoro — blanco
abv:40%average price:$49.99
here it is , our numeral one plectrum for the good tequila you ’re most potential to ascertain at every barroom and eatery .
El Tesoro is one of the fine stain out there in good order now , and it ’s blanco is an well-off windowpane as to why .
This tequila is full of nuanced flavor .
This was yes , the common tequila savour billet are there , but they are so like an expert balanced here that you’ve got the option to in reality try out how this is in a dissimilar social class from most other tequila on the market place .
The liquidness is acquire at NOM 1139 , Tequila Tapatio ( La Alteña ) from agave behind - cook in pit oven .
It is 100 % linear - gratis .
Nose : A residual of naked and roast agave , with some blue mango tree mention .
Palate : batch of bootleg black pepper , bake spice , a touching of ocean table salt , gullible Gunter Grass , and mineral .
The flavour are ever - shifty , just when you mean you have a handgrip on the smell , a newfangled bank bill , like flowered redolence , will unveil itself .
Finish : gross and grassy with a blue tan .
Juicy , agave frontward , flowered and fruity .
A elegant selection for anyone look to instill with their drinkable club .