Tequila is undoubtedly one of the most popular alcoholic beverages right now among drinkers. But the numbers also support it, as anyone who has lately entered a cocktail bar can attest to. Agave spirits are expected to surpass vodka as the nation’s preferred liquor if sales trend upward.
There is a lot more to tequila than initially meets the eye. Tequila is a specific variety of mezcal, in case you didn’t know. Or the fact that it has such a wide range of uses? While there is no denying that traditional margaritas are delectable, there is also a wide variety of tequila-based drinks to choose from, including vibrant tequila sunrises and bubbly Palomas. Plus, the best tequila tastes great both plain and on the rocks. Also good with a squeeze of lime and some salt. A huge increase in new brands has coincided with that kind of growth. Tequilas owned by famous people and featuring flamboyant marketing campaigns have invaded the market. Many of these new tequilas don’t do the spirit justice; others contain additives or don’t have agave spirits that are 100% pure.
Here are the top tequilas on the market right now, whether you want your drinks blended or neat.
Roca Patrón Reposado
We adore the Grand Patrón Burdeos, which is double-distilled and finished in old Bordeaux barrels after aging in new and used American and French oak barrels. It’s comparable to a great wine that has been perfectly aged. However, the bottle isn’t exactly affordable with its $500+ price tag. People prefer the lighter, more buttery Roca Patrón Reposado, which is a twist on the assertive and strong Burdeos. For a comparable experience at a more affordable price range.
The Reposado has flavors of sweet vanilla, oak, mushrooms, ginger, caramel, and citrus. Giving it the ideal harmony of earthiness, sweetness, and spice with a smooth finish and no lasting aftertaste. The Roca Patrón Tequila series is a beautiful and elevated interpretation of tequila that is handcrafted utilizing the time-honored “tahona” process.
Fortaleza Blanco Tequila
Since this tequila is made in the lowlands of the Jalisco region, it won’t have the same levels of sweetness or fruitiness as some of our other top choices. Black pepper, dried herbs, olives, and citrus will be substituted for a more astringent, slightly drying palate. Without a sure, tequila connoisseurs will enjoy this one because it is one of the more complex tequilas on our list.
The hand-blown glass bottle, which is capped with hand-painted agave pia and a label with a vintage feel, is a great touch.
Cenote Blanco Tequila
Tequila produced by Cenote is extremely palatable and flavourful without being overpowering. Cenote’s Blanco Tequila is mild, mellow, and pleasant. Unlike certain tequilas that make us pucker or burn the inside of our tongues and throats. After three weeks of aging in oak barrels, it has smooth, crisp aromas of sharp citrus, greens, and pepper.
What is Cenote’s smoothness’s secret? At their distillery, which is situated at the foot of the Jalisco volcano, the company claims to draw its natural filtered water from an “artesian well.” According to Cenote, the water undergoes a reverse osmosis procedure and carbon filters with silver ions help to remove any possibility of pollutants altering the taste. With a dash of soda or on its own, this tequila is delicious. The brand recognized that bartenders also enjoy Cenote in a Paloma and responded by establishing the first-ever “World Paloma Day” in May of last year.
Teremana Small Batch Tequila
Since its debut in 2020, The Rock’s premium tequila brand has been flying off shop shelves. Tequila and Dwayne Johnson fans can now order Teremana online and have it delivered right to their home.
The “ultra-premium highlands tequila” includes all the buzzwords associated with the beverage industry, such as “small batch production” and “distilled in handmade copper pot stills”. But underneath the marketing gimmick, it’s a smooth, approachable alternative that is naturally sweetened by the rich aroma of mature agave plants and has a clean finish. According to Johnson, his Polynesian heritage served as the inspiration for the name. “MANA is our mighty Polynesian spirit, and TERA signifies the Earth. He refers to the earth as the spirit.
El Bandido Yankee Tequila
El Bandido Yankee, a brand-new tequila entry, was introduced in 2021 by restaurateur and NHL Hall of Fame hockey player Chris Chelios and former NFL player Jim Bob Morris. To produce an incredibly smooth, high-end tequila at a reasonable cost was the plan. With a beautifully distinctive flavor profile that is both rich and deep. This tequila is also sure to please a wide audience. Along with traces of citrus, the buttery character is balanced by notes of pepper and vanilla. The Reposado expression is also matured in American Oak bourbon barrels that have been stripped and re-charred. Giving it a delightfully toasted herbaceous flavor.
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Añejo
Dano’s Anejo Tequila, one of the most lauded bottles on our list, is created at a family-owned distillery that dates back to 1840. Using only 100% agave and aged 18 months in virgin French white oak barrels. Before the tequila opens out and flavors of caramel, coconut, and oak become more apparent, a tiny sip reveals scents of roasted agave with woody overtones.
2018 saw the establishment of Dano’s Tequila in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. And the brand recently earned Best in Class A-ñejo at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Dano’s also took home the Double Gold and Gold awards at the 2018 SIP Awards. As well as the Gold Medal at the 2019 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Tasting Competition.
Hiatus Tequila
The goal of Kristopher DeSoto was to produce a tequila that was bolder and more expressive than the variety often sold in the United States, and he was successful. At La Cofrada, master distiller Luis Trejo Rodrguez creates Hiatus using a ground-to-glass technique that combines conventional techniques with cutting-edge technology. The distillery actually located on the edge of a dormant volcano. Whose porous base serves as a natural filter for the spring water used to create their tequila.
Blanco, Reposado, and Anejo are the three award-winning expressions for Hiatus. With a strong roasted agave flavor and a delicately balanced finish, the Blanco is incredibly smooth and maximizes sippability. It’s perfect for drinking neat because it has a clear and nuanced texture. This tequila is straightforward and uncomplicated; it contains only 100% blue Weber agave and nothing else. You can always use this tequila to make a drink because it has flavors of tropical fruit and freshly cut grass. But it also goes great with supper or a tasty cheese dish.
