Over the past decade, tequila has wormed its way past the college dorm room and into the gifting basket. A surge in high-end, traditionally made agave spirits has redefined the landscape, handily establishing tequila — and its bucketload of new brands — as the fastest-growing spirit category in America. With so many options to choose from, where might you start?
Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur on the hunt for Fortaleza or a newcomer making their first steps beyond the margarita, we've put together a list of 10 of the best tequilas on the market that should satisfy every kind of drinker. Bottles are ordered from least to most expensive, with picks ranging from $20 to $190.
On a final note, we'll add that all are confirmed additive-free, or at least what used to qualify as "additive-free" before Tequila Matchmaker retired its list. Without further ado:
El Tequileno Blanco is the ultimate workhorse tequila, perfect for every shade of margarita, paloma and spiked soda that the mind can imagine. Though this blend of 70% agave and 30% unrefined sugar occupies the much-maligned "mixto" category, its strength as a mixer more justifies its presence on any bar cart.
It cuts straight to the point with bittersweet flavors of mint, pepper, buttercream and, of course, agave. Piquant hints of rosemary and sage linger on the finish, adding just the right smidge of complexity. If you missed the Batanga craze that swept TikTok earlier this year, this $20 blanco will catch you right up with the trends.
Suerte is among only 2% of tequila brands that own a dedicated distillery. That commitment to its craft shines through with some exceptional spirits more than exceptional price tags.
Suerte Reposado is extracted with a combination of tahona and screw mill before aging for seven months in charred ex-whiskey American oak barrels. Vegetal aromas of citrus, grass and honey give way to a palate loaded with far more oak character than the typical repo; expect hints of butter, baking spice, smoke and light earthiness. Works great alongside punchy flavors of ginger in a Mexican Mule.
La Pulga Blanco ($43)
[caption id="attachment_93820" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: La Pulga)[/caption]
La Pulga, a recent entry to the industry hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, has a talent for hiding unexpected flavors in its tequila lineup. Though the brand's cherry-soaked Añejo is undoubtedly a must-try, today's pick goes instead to its Blanco expression.
If you're a fan of freshly picked herbs, you won't be disappointed. Fragrant notes of anise, minerality and lemon zest linger on the nose before the palate dives head-first into a vibrant mix of white pepper and grapefruit. La Pulga Blanco is enough to stand up in a Ranch Water and perfectly complex to sip on its own.
Arette distinguishes its "Artesanal Suave" lineup with special attention to the details. Agaves in this blanco are roasted for 15 hours, shredded and then fermented in cement vats with a proprietary in-house yeast for nearly a week.
The process imbues a decidedly citrus-forward flavor chock full of orange rind, mint, bell peppers and a pleasant brininess that lingers on the finish. For just a few bucks more than Arette's flagship Blanco, you can get one of the best value buys on the market.
The Vivanco family secured yet another hit with the launch of Siempre Tequila in 2015. This one is all about the fermentation process, using an unprecedented mix of Champagne and rum yeast in addition to ambient classical music that plays 24/7 above the bubbling vats. Sure, it's a little wacky, but why not when the juice is this good?
The brand's six-month reposado digs deep into whiskey flavor. In addition to agave, you'll find a welcome medley of raisin, coffee beans, charred oak and maple that bring a just-right sweetness to the palate. It's one of the best showcases of age you can find before you get into the añejo category.
For fans of Cascahuin, the latest offering from master distiller Salvador Rosales Trejo can't be missed. Agaves are roasted for 72 hours in brick ovens, extracted via tahona and naturally fermented in their own fibers. The end result is bottled at 42% ABV, two notches higher than the industry standard.
It tastes like an entree and dessert wrapped into one. The nose opens with enticing hints of prickly pear, banana and dried fruits, a deceptively sweet segue into a savory palate drenched in lemongrass, cinnamon, sea salt and gobs of minerality. This is one to show off to friends who think they've seen everything blanco tequila has to offer.
Partida Roble Fino Añejo spends its first 18 months in ex-Jack Daniel's whiskey barrels before resting an additional five months in ex-single malt, sherry-seasoned casks. The double whammy of oak is bottled at a neat 45% ABV.
It comes as no surprise that this boasts tons of scotch influence. The nose draws you in with Christmasy bites of nutmeg, butterscotch, potpourri and tropical fruits. The palate and finish are much the same, making room for flavors of leather and roasted nuts that work excellently sipped at a slow pace. For the discerning whiskey lover with a few bucks to spare, Roble Fino Añejo won't steer wrong.
El Tesoro Mundial Collection Laphroaig Añejo Tequila ($170)
[caption id="attachment_93829" align="aligncenter" width="600"] (Photo: El Tesoro)[/caption]
El Tesoro's Mundial Collection recruits help from whiskey staples like Knob Creek and Basil Hayden to mature its excellent tahona-crushed agave recipe. The first release in the series, aged 12 months in casks that previously held Laphroaig 10 Year Single Malt Scotch, exemplifies the concept in stride.
Many have commented on a smoked, almost mezcal-like aroma that dominates the nose. The palate delivers on plenty of that peated promise, folding in flavors of black pepper, cooked agave, moss and pear. If you manage to find a bottle of this limited release, compare it to other añejos in your bar cart to taste the stark difference.
The folks over at Tapatio went above and beyond with this truly extra añejo. After aging for five years in deeply charred American oak, the spirit was rested for an additional decade in glass. Amid a sea of 3- to 4-year extra añejos, this offering redefines the formula and then some.
It's wonderfully complex stuff right from the first whiff. Contrasting aromas of prickly pear, tobacco and vanilla give way to an oak blast of sticky caramel, agave sweetness, chocolate and clove that coat the back of the throat. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Tears of Llorona, this is hands down the best extra añejo on the market.
Volcan de Mi Tierra is the first and only stab at tequila from LVMH, the French luxury magnate behind Hennessy Cognac and Moët & Chandon Champagne. For the best glimpse at what the brand has to offer, we'd recommend its showstopping X.A expression, a blend of reposado, añejo and extra añejo reserves aged in proprietary "Grace" casks.
Don't let its glitzy bottle deceive you; this is old-school, additive-free tequila through and through. Of the three age statements contained within, we'd say that the subtlety of reposado comes through the clearest, punctuated by aromas and flavors of plum, apple, buttercream and fresh earth. Blended tequilas on this level are hard to come by, especially inside a decanter that (literally) lights up the room.
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(Photo: La Pulga)[/caption]
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(Photo: LVMH)[/caption]