Tequila is a legendary spirit, a drink that’s as much a part of Mexican culture as the food and the people. Mexico produces the best tequila in the world. Enthusiasts often enjoy it as a sipping drink. Or use it in classic cocktails like the Margarita or the Tequila Sunrise. With so many Mexican-owned tequila brands and different types of tequila, it can be hard to know which ones to choose.
In this article, we will look at the 20 best tequilas in Mexico for 2023. We’ll explore history and differences, including some of the finest tequila brands and their unique qualities.
Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila
Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila, a Mexican-owned brand. It produces small batches of tequila made entirely from blue weber agave in its pursuit of the finest tequila. The producers make clear tequila using traditional methods in the state of Jalisco. It is well-regarded for its smooth taste and subtle agave flavor, making it an excellent choice for sipping. Aged for 30 days in new American oak barrels.
Dragones Blanco has won several gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. That made it one of the best tequila brands.
Clase Azul Reposado Tequila
Clase Azul Reposado Tequila production process follows traditional methods. A premium tequila aged for eight months in oak barrels. The tequila is made from 100% blue agave. Also known for its rich, complex flavor with notes of vanilla and black pepper. It is produced in the highlands of Jalisco. It is one of the best-selling tequilas in the United States.
Clase Azul Reposado Tequila is known for its distinctive bottle, which is hand-painted and decorated by Mexican artisans.
El Jimador Blanco Tequila
El Jimador Blanco Tequila is produced in the town of Tequila using traditional methods. Which involves cooking the agave in brick ovens and distilling it in copper pot stills. This tequila has great-value tequila and is made from 100% blue agave. El Jimador Blanco has a smooth taste with a hint of citrus and is perfect for making classic cocktails like the Margarita.
Don Julio Blanco Tequila
Don Julio Blanco Tequila is a pure tequila that is made from 100% blue agave. This tequila is produced in the state of Jalisco known for its smooth and crisp taste. Don Julio Blanco is aged for just two months in white-oak barrels. It is perfect for making tequila shots or classic cocktails like the Tequila Sunrise.
Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila
Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila is a unique tequila that is made from a blend of reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas. This tequila is produced in small batches using French oak barrels and is known for its smooth and complex taste. Maestro Dobel Diamante has a unique flavor that is perfect for sipping.
La Gritona Reposado Tequila
La Gritona Reposado Tequila is a Mexican-owned tequila brand that is made from 100% blue agave. This tequila is produced in the highlands of Jalisco using traditional methods. Cooked in the agave in clay ovens and distilling it in copper pot stills.
La Gritona Reposado is aged for 8 months in American oak barrels. It has a smooth finish with notes of vanilla and caramel.
Avión Tequila Reposado
Avión Tequila Reposado is a premium tequila that is made from 100% blue agave. The tequila is made from 100% blue agave. Produced in the highlands of Jalisco undergoes traditional methods, including cooking the agave in brick ovens and distilling it in small batches in copper pot stills. These processes contribute to the tequila’s high quality and authenticity.
Avión Reposado is aged for six months in oak barrels, giving it a unique Avión flavor and a smooth finish. This tequila has won several awards and is one of the best tequila brands in the world.
Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila
Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila uses traditional methods to produce their Mexican-owned tequila brand made from 100% blue agave in the state of Jalisco. This includes cooking the agave in clay ovens and distilling it in copper pot stills to ensure the highest quality. Siete Leguas Blanco has a smooth and balanced taste with a hint of sweetness. It is perfect for sipping or mixing into cocktails.
Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila
Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila is a premium tequila that is aged for 18 months in American oak barrels. This tequila is made from the finest blue agave plants. Which are cooked in traditional brick ovens and distilled using copper pot stills. Gran Centenario Añejo has a rich and complex flavor with a smooth finish, one of the best tequilas for sipping.
Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila
Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila is a Mexican-owned tequila brand that is one of the best-selling tequilas in the world. This tequila is made from a blend of blue agave tequila and tequila mixto. It is aged for up to six months in white-oak barrels. Jose Cuervo Especial Gold has a smooth taste with notes of caramel and is perfect for making classic cocktails like the Margarita.
Tequila Don Nacho Reposado
Produced in the state of Jalisco using traditional methods. Cooked from the agave in brick ovens and distilling it in copper pot stills. Tequila Don Nacho Reposado is a premium tequila made from 100% blue agave. This high-quality tequila is aged for six months in American oak barrels. Giving it a smooth and balanced taste with distinct notes of vanilla and oak.
Tequila Ocho Añejo
Tequila Ocho Añejo is a premium tequila that is aged for 18 months in American oak barrels. This tequila is made from 100% blue agave and is produced in the highlands of Jalisco using traditional methods. Tequila Ocho Añejo has a rich and complex flavor with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate, a great tequila for sipping.
Tequila Herradura Silver
Tequila Herradura Silver is a high-quality tequila that is made from 100% blue agave. Using traditional methods and distilling it in copper pot stills, Herradura Silver tequila is produced in the state of Jalisco. It has a smooth taste complemented by a hint of citrus. An ideal choice for creating classic cocktails like the Margarita.
El Tesoro Añejo Tequila
El Tesoro Añejo Tequila is a premium tequila that is aged for two and a half years in American oak barrels. This tequila is made from 100% blue agave and is produced in the state of Jalisco using traditional methods. El Tesoro Añejo has a complex flavor with notes of caramel, chocolate, and oak, making it one of the best tequilas for sipping.
Tequila Don Julio 1942 Añejo
Tequila Don Julio 1942 Añejo is a top-shelf tequila that is aged for two and a half years in American oak barrels. This tequila is made from 100% blue agave and is produced in the highlands of Jalisco using traditional methods. Don Julio 1942 Añejo has a smooth and complex flavor with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak, making it one of the best tequilas in the world.
Tequila Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo
Tequila Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo is a top-shelf tequila that is aged for 44 months in oak barrels. This tequila is made from 100% blue agave and is produced in the state of Jalisco using traditional methods, including cooking the agave in brick ovens and distilling it in copper pot stills.
Tequila Avión Reserva 44 has a smooth and complex flavor with notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak, making it one of the best tequilas for sipping.
The history and production of tequila: From blue agave plants to aging in oak barrels
Tequila is a unique spirit that has a long and storied history in Mexico. It is made from the agave plant, which is native to Mexico. It has been used for thousands of years to make a variety of products, including food, fiber, and medicine. Tequila is made from the blue agave plant. Grown in the highlands and lowlands of the Mexican state of Jalisco.
The Production of Tequila:
The production of tequila starts with the harvest of the blue agave plant. The plant is typically harvested between seven and ten years after it is planted when the sugars in the plant are at their peak. The leaves of the plant are stripped away, leaving only the piña, or heart, of the plant. The piña is then cooked in a brick oven or autoclave to convert the starches into fermentable sugars.
After the piña is cooked, it is crushed to extract the juice, which is then fermented in large tanks. Yeast is added to the juice to help it ferment, and the resulting liquid is known as mosto. The mosto is then distilled in copper pot stills to produce tequila.
Blanco tequila is typically bottled shortly after distillation, while reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas are aged in oak barrels to develop their unique flavors. The type of barrel used for aging can also impact the final flavor of the tequila. American oak barrels are commonly used for reposado and añejo tequilas. While French oak barrels are often used for extra añejo tequilas. The length of time that tequila is aged also varies by type. The extra añejo tequilas require the longest aging period.
The History of Tequila:
The history of tequila dates back to the pre-Columbian era in Mexico. The Aztecs and other indigenous groups in Mexico fermented the sap of the agave plant to produce a fermented beverage called pulque. The Spanish arrived in Mexico in the 16th century and brought with them the technology for distillation. Which allowed for the production of stronger alcoholic beverages.
The first recorded production of tequila dates back to the 17th century when the Cuervo family began producing tequila in the town of Tequila, located in the state of Jalisco. The town of Tequila remains an important center of tequila production to this day, and it is also a popular tourist destination.
Tequila production became more standardized in the 20th century, with the Mexican government establishing regulations governing the production of tequila in the 1940s. These regulations define the geographic region where tequila can be produced, the type of agave that can be used, and the production process for tequila. They also specify the aging requirements for different types of tequila, as well as the use of certain types of oak barrels.
Today, tequila is a beloved spirit around the world, and it has become an important part of Mexican culture and heritage. Many Mexican-owned tequila brands are highly regarded for their quality and authenticity. It gained a reputation as a premium spirit that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from sipping to mixing into cocktails.
Tequila varieties: Understanding the differences between blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequila
Tequila is produced primarily in the Mexican state of Jalisco. There are four main categories of tequila, each with its own unique characteristics: Blanco (also known as silver), reposado, añejo, and extra añejo.
Blanco Tequila:
Blanco tequila is clear and unaged, making it the purest expression of the agave flavor. This type of tequila is typically bottled shortly after distillation and has a strong, fresh taste with notes of black pepper, citrus, and earthy agave. Blanco tequilas are often used in cocktails and mixed drinks due to their clear and clean taste.
Reposado Tequila:
Reposado tequila is aged for a minimum of two months and up to one year in oak barrels. Which gives it a pale golden color and a slightly more complex flavor profile. The aging process imparts a subtle sweetness and smoothness to the tequila, as well as notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak. Reposado tequila is a good choice for sipping, and it also works well in mixed drinks.
Añejo Tequila:
Añejo tequila is aged for a minimum of one year and up to three years in oak barrels. Resulting in a darker color and a more pronounced flavor profile. The aging process gives añejo tequila a smooth and complex taste, with notes of oak, chocolate, and dried fruit. This type of tequila is typically sipped and enjoyed neat, as its rich and nuanced flavors are best appreciated without any mixers.
Extra Añejo Tequila:
Extra añejo tequila is aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. Resulting in a dark amber color and an incredibly complex flavor profile. This type of tequila is the most aged and expensive. As it requires a long and careful aging process to develop its distinctive taste. Extra añejo tequila is smooth and mellow, with notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and caramel. It is typically enjoyed as a sipping tequila and served at room temperature in a snifter glass.
In general, as tequila becomes more aged, it becomes smoother and more complex in flavor. However, the aging process can also result in a loss of the fresh agave flavor that is characteristic of blanco tequila. The Mexican government regulates the terms “reposado,” “añejo,” and “extra añejo,” which can only be used for tequilas that meet the minimum aging requirements for each category.
Celebrity-endorsed tequilas: From Kendall Jenner‘s 818 Tequila to George Clooney’s Casamigos
In recent years, there has been a trend of celebrities launching their own tequila brands. Many of them become quite successful. These celebrity-endorsed tequilas often have a unique flavor profile that sets them apart from other brands on the market.
George Clooney and businessman Rande Gerber co-founded Casamigos, one of the most high-profile celebrity tequilas. Since its launch in 2013, the brand has gained widespread popularity. It quickly gained a following, with its smooth and easy-drinking flavor profile making it a hit among tequila enthusiasts. The brand was sold to beverage giant Diageo for $1 billion in 2017. Cementing its place as one of the most successful celebrity-endorsed tequilas of all time.
Another celebrity tequila that has gained a lot of attention is 818 Tequila. The brand was launched by reality TV star and model Kendall Jenner in 2021. The brand takes its name from the area code of Jenner’s hometown of Calabasas, California. It is made in collaboration with the Mexican-owned tequila brand Casa Dragones. The tequila is made from 100% blue weber agave and has a smooth and subtle flavor profile that makes it a great sipping tequila.
Musician and producer Nick Jonas endorses Maestro Dobel. While Villa One is co-owned by musician Nick Jonas and fashion designer John Varvatos, among other celebrity-endorsed tequilas. These tequilas often have unique flavor profiles or production methods that set them apart from traditional tequila brands. Younger, trendier demographic are often the target market for these brands.
While some purists may harbor skepticism towards celebrity-endorsed tequilas, there is no denying that these brands have attracted new attention and excitement to the world of tequila. Whether you’re a fan of Casamigos’ smooth and easy-drinking flavor, or Kendall Jenner‘s unique 818 Tequila, there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy.
Conclusion: Cheers to the best tequilas in Mexico!
Mexico is home to some of the best tequilas in the world. Has a diverse range of flavors and styles to choose from. The perfect tequila is out there for you, whether you’re a fan of the clear and crisp taste of blanco tequila, the smooth and complex flavors of aged tequila, or something in between.
From small-batch, Mexican-owned tequila brands to top-shelf tequilas that have won gold medals at international spirits competitions, there’s no shortage of great tequilas to explore. Options are available at a range of price points, making it possible for everyone to find something within their budget.
So why not take some time to explore the world of tequila and discover your new favorite brand? Whether you prefer to sip it neat, mix it in a cocktail, or enjoy it as a shot with friends, there’s nothing quite like the taste of high-quality tequila. Raise a glass to Mexico’s finest agave spirits – and you won’t be disappointed!
