Beyond the humble margarita lies a trove of Mexican tequila, a spirit steeped in history and crafted with passion.
From the crisp, herbal notes of a Blanco to the velvety warmth of an Añejo, each sip offers a unique glimpse into the world of Mexican tequila brands. But which truly stands out amongst the crowd? Let's find out.
Best Tequila Brands Overall
Most brands produce a range of tequila types, so if you're not sure which one to go for, we recommend exploring what these incredible distilleries have to offer. These really are the best of the best - and there's one to suit all budgets!
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Fortaleza Tequila: Traditional, tahona-crushed, copper pot distilled tequila known for bold, agave-forward flavors and authentic craftsmanship.
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Don Julio: Smooth, refined Highland tequila, highly versatile from entry-level to luxurious offerings.
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Clase Azul: An ultra-premium tequila recognized for its rich, creamy flavor and iconic hand-painted ceramic bottles.
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Adictivo Tequila: A sweet, smooth, dessert-style tequila, popular for easy sipping. Highly indulgent!
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Patrón: A globally known tequila with a clean, consistent flavor, perfect for both cocktails and sipping.
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Corralejo Tequila: Guanajuato-made tequila with bold, rustic notes, colorful bottles, and approachable pricing.
Tequila Blanco
Let's start with the purest version of our favorite Mexican spirit. This is the unadulterated, unaltered, and unaged form of the drink. If you want a true tequila experience, this is it.
Blanco tequila production uses 100% blue weber agave plant. The agave is cooked and then mashed and fermented before being double-distilled.
After this, the tequila is either bottled right away or rested for two months or less in steel or American oak barrels.
Fun fact: Blanco forms the base for all other aged tequilas and is the most common tequila type used in cocktails.
Best Tequila Blanco Brands
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Tequila Fortaleza: Crafted from traditional methods, the agave is crushed using a tahona (stone wheel) and distilled in copper pots. It has a rich, earthy profile with hints of olives and citrus.
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El Tesoro: Also made using traditional methods, El Tesoro is crafted from fully mature agave. The result is a peppery, vegetal taste with floral notes and a hint of sweetness.
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Siete Leguas: A well-respected Highland tequila and known for being the original distiller behind the early Patrón bottlings. It has an excellent balance of sweetness, minerality, and herbal character.
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Cimarrón: Versatile and affordable, Cimarrón Blanco was made to shine in cocktails, including the famous margarita. It delivers a crisp, dry profile with black pepper and citrus notes.
Joven (Gold Tequila)
Joven (meaning "young") typically consists of a blend of Blanco tequila and other aged tequilas such as Reposado or Añejo. You may also find it referred to as "Oro," meaning "gold".
But beware of low-end Joven tequilas. They frequently use colorants and additives to achieve the golden hue.
Non-artificially colored Joven gets its color from the blending of Blanco and aged tequila, rested in oak barrels. It should be a light golden or amber hue.
Best Joven Tequila Brands
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Jose Cuervo Especial Gold: One of the most globally recognized tequila companies, Especial Gold contains a blend of aged and unaged tequilas with caramel coloring. Often associated with classic margaritas and shots, it’s known for its accessibility and historical significance in popularizing tequila worldwide.
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Casa Dragones: An ultra-premium blend of silver and extra Añejo tequila, it delivers an exceptionally smooth experience with a floral finish. If you want the most luxurious Joven, this is it.
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Espolòn: A modern, craft-oriented tequila that features vibrant branding and a versatile flavor. It balances sweet Highland agave with peppery spice, making it popular for both sipping and cocktails.
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1800 Cristalino: This brand of Joven has been filtered to produce a clear drink. It combines smooth, aged flavors and delivers a delightfully crisp finish.
Reposado Tequila
Reposado translates to "rested," which refers to the longer aging process of this type of tequila.
Typically aged in oak, ex-bourbon barrels, reposado tequila rests for up to one year to allow the vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors to infuse with the liquid. The aging also softens out the harshness of Blanco.
Some distilleries use barrels used for wine, sherry, or cognac production to produce tequila with different flavor profiles and heightened sweetness.
Fun fact: Herradura, one of Mexico's oldest and most traditional distilleries, was the first to release Reposado. It was introduced in the 1970s and was said to have been invested in to entice whiskey drinkers!
Best Reposado Tequila Brands
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Clase Azul Reposado: The iconic hand-painted ceramic bottles make this tequila undeniably special. Ultra-premium, smooth, creamy, with warming spices. Sip this one slowly.
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Fortaleza Reposado: A small-batch tequila made using traditional methods. The result is flavors of buttery oak and earthy minerals backed by a bold agave taste.
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La Gritona: This female-led distillery is famed for its no-additive tequila. Aged for eight months in American whiskey barrels, it gives a unique sweet tone to the overall flavor.
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Don Julio Reposado: A classic tequila enjoyed globally, Don Julio gives you a stunning vanilla, honey experience topped with an oaky influence. This is a great all-rounder. Drink neat or in a cocktail.
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Herradura Reposado: The first ever commercially produced Reposado, initially released in 1974. If you want the original deal, this is a must-try - look forward to rich agave, caramel, and warm spices.
Añejo Tequila
Añejo means "mature" or "aged," so you can probably guess what happens to this type of tequila!
Also aged in oak barrels, the process takes between one and three years, depending on the brand. Due to the longer aging, Añejo tequila has a stunning, rich amber color and flavors of dried fruit, chocolate, and toasted nuts.
Fun fact: Some consider Añejo as tequila's version of single malt whiskey. As such, it should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks and sipped slowly.
Best Añejo Tequila Brands
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Don Julio Añejo: An easy-drinking, refined tequila. You get a smooth, mellow experience topped with soft notes of vanilla, caramel, and ripe fruit.
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El Tesoro Añejo: Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, which gives it a rich, complex flavor. Discover notes of toffee and baking spices, topped by a long-warm finish.
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Tapatio Añejo: A small-batch, craft tequila renowned for its earthy flavor. If you like rustic, authentic-style tequila, you should definitely try this.
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Siete Leguas Añejo: A benchmark tequila crafted by a family-owned distillery. This is agave purity at its finest and gives you the perfect balance between sweetness and spice.
Extra Añejo Tequila
Extra Añejo tequila steps it up a gear and extends the aging process even further to three or more years.
This high-end, luxury tequila offers an even deeper color than standard añejo. The result? Complex flavors of tobacco, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and even leather.
Often compared to high-end brandy or cognac, the Mexican government officially categorized this type of tequila in 2006.
Best Extra Añejo Tequila Brands
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Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo: One of the most premium tequilas in Mexico. Aged for five years in ex-sherry casks, the 24-karat gold ceramic bottle showcases its exclusivity. This is a must-have for serious collectors.
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Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia: A limited edition Jose Cuervo, aged in French and American oak barrels. Each batch has a custom-designed label from a Mexican artist, making it another highly collectible tequila.
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Don Julio 1942: A firm favorite among high-end bars and restaurants, this tequila is aged for two and a half years before being bottled in its iconic tall packaging. Ultra-smooth, this slow sipper is a true delight.
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Herradura Selección Suprema: Aged for over 49 months, this brand is regarded as one of the world's finest Extra Añejo tequilas. With a deep heritage, you're not only getting an exceptional drink but also a slice of Mexican history.
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Cascahuín Extra Añejo: With over four years of aging, this limited-edition tequila is a favorite among traditionalists. Made using old-school methods, this tequila contains no additives and is as pure as it gets.
Cristalino Añejo
Lastly, we have yet another variation of Añejo. This takes Añejo or Extra Añejo tequila and filters it through activated charcoal to remove the amber color. However, the smooth, complex flavors remain - only with a sweeter finish.
Cristalino is the current trend among tequila fans and is growing steadily in popularity.
Best Cristalino Añejo Tequila Brands
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Don Julio 70 Cristalino: One of the first Cristalinos, Don Julio 70 balances the complexity of aged tequila with a bright, crisp character. Enjoy neat or in a cocktail.
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Maestro Dobel Diamante: Another pioneering Cristalino. When you sip, you get silky honey notes combined with a light wood finish.
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Herradura Ultra Cristalino: A slightly sweeter Cristalino that feels velvety yet polished. An ideal drink for those who prefer sweetness over earthy tones.
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Cazadores Cristalino Añejo: A modern, accessible tequila with Cazadore's signature fruity style. With bursts of citrus, this tequila goes well in blended drinks.
Where Is Mexican Tequila Produced?
Tequila production can only legally take place in specific regions under what's known as the Denomination of Origin (DO). These have been established by Mexican law and are recognized internationally.
As such, you'll find all tequila companies are based in the following regions:
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Jalisco. 95% of tequila is produced here, most notably in the Tequila Valley (hence the name!) and the Los Altos Highlands.
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Guanajuato, Pénjamo
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Nayarit, Ahuacatlán
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Michoacán, Briseñas
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Tamaulipas, Aldama
When choosing a brand of tequila, look for the place of production on the bottle so you're sure to get the real deal.
How To Pick A Genuine Tequila
Not all tequilas are created equal. If you want an authentic experience, there are a few things you need to check before you purchase the bottle:
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Genuine, high-quality tequila is made from 100% blue weber agave - and it will state this on the bottle. If it doesn't, it's likely a mix of other agave varieties.
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It will have a NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana) number printed on the label.
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The label will also state it's "Hecho en México” (Made in Mexico) or “Product of Mexico".
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Authentic tequila is certified by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) and their logo will be present on the bottle.
Avoid anything that states it's "tequila flavored" or made from "agave spirits".
Although they can be legally called so, they are not real tequilas and can contain as little as 51% agave.
Plus, the taste is harsher and less enjoyable, and they tend to contain nasties such as artificial coloring and even glycerin.
FAQs
What's the difference between mezcal and tequila?
Mezcal and tequila are both Mexican spirits, both produced using cooked agave. However, there are some key differences:
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Tequila is specifically made from blue agave and is almost exclusively produced in the Jalisco region of Mexico. It is typically steamed in ovens, which produces a clean taste.
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Mezcal can be made from various types of agave plants and is mainly produced in Oaxaca. It's traditionally cooked in underground pits, giving it a smoky flavor.
What is Mexico's most popular tequila?
Jose Cuervo is currently Mexico's most popular tequila brand, both domestically and worldwide.
Which tequilas are Mexican-owned?
There are many tequila brands owned by Mexican distilleries and producers. Some of the most well-known include Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, Cazadores, Arette, and El Tesoro.
Which is the smoothest tequila?
Premium distilleries produce the smoothest tequila. The most highly regarded smooth tequilas include Don Julio 1942 and Clase Azul Reposado. These tequilas should be sipped slowly and taken neat.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have enjoyed this little slice of Mexican culture and have discovered a few authentic tequila brands to add to your "must-try" list.
Whether you're looking for the perfect tequila for a Cinco de Mayo party or a slow, decadent sipper, there's an option out there for you.
