When the climate will get chilly, most are inclined to achieve for aged spirits to sip by the hearth. Scotch, bourbon, Cognac, and the like have a tendency to suit the invoice, however we see this power of behavior as a missed alternative to take pleasure in different classes that additionally present the heat we crave throughout the holidays. Sure, we’re speaking about tequila.
Whereas there are a lot of branches on the agave spirits household tree, none are as ubiquitous as tequila, making it an ideal reward choice for any spirits fanatic. In fact, with numerous manufacturers and expressions lining the cabinets — lots of which characteristic wild, eye-catching bottle designs — it’s simple to get overwhelmed or probably duped into splurging on a subpar product. To assist streamline the method, we’ve put collectively this information of one of the best tequilas to reward this vacation season, with picks starting from high quality, budget-friendly choices to experimental one-offs. Merely put, there’s one thing right here for everybody.
Greatest Price range Tequila: Olmeca Altos Plata
Greatest Splurge Tequila: El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version
Greatest Tequila for Freshmen: Yéyo Tequila Blanco
Greatest Tequila for Agave Geeks: Lagrimas del Valle Plata El Sabino 2023
Greatest Tequila for Cocktail Lovers: Tres Agaves Tequila Blanco
Greatest Tequila to Impress: Don Julio Alma Miel Tequila Joven
Greatest Excessive-ABV Tequila: LALO Tequila Excessive Proof
Greatest Price range Tequila
Olmeca Altos Plata
Within the $20 to $30 worth vary, it’s simple to get burned by a subpar bottle, particularly given the sheer amount of tequila manufacturers lately. Fortunately, there are nonetheless loads of inexpensive gems on the market. Olmeca Altos Plata is distilled in copper pots and produced with deep properly water from the Los Altos area of Jalisco, leading to a high-quality product that’s simple on the pockets.
Common worth: $30
Score: 92
Greatest Splurge Tequila
El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version
If the tequila lover in your life can be keen on whiskey, splurging on a bottle of El Tesoro Mundial Assortment: Knob Creek Rye Version is a good way to kill two birds with one stone. This añejo spent a 12 months in former Knob Creek 7 12 months Rye barrels, and that affect is outstanding, however not overpowering to the purpose that the agave’s character is taking part in second fiddle. As a substitute, this limited-edition launch dishes up notes of tropical fruits and brilliant vegetal spice atop a toffee-rich core with sufficient oak affect to fulfill whiskey and aged tequila fans alike.
Common worth: $175
Score: 93
Greatest Tequila for Freshmen
Yéyo Tequila Blanco
First impressions are essential, so for these about to embark on their tequila journey, it’s greatest to begin off with a modestly priced, clear, and versatile expression. This unaged, additive-free tequila suits that invoice, kicking off with a brilliant fruity and floral profile that segues right into a peppery end. Whether or not sipped neat or blended in cocktails, Yéyo presents a stellar introduction to the world of tequila.
Common worth: $45
Score: 92
Greatest Tequila for Agave Geeks
Lagrimas del Valle Plata El Sabino 2023
Monitoring down a singular bottle for a seasoned tequila drinker could be robust. That stated, whereas there are many tried-and-trues on the market, it’s price in search of out one thing off the overwhelmed path. Take into account Lagrimas del Valle Plata El Sabino 2023: This 46 p.c ABV providing takes all the pieces we love about unaged tequila and dials it as much as the max. Each sip is jam-packed with punchy notes of cooked agave, herbs, and citrus with undercurrents of jalapeños and rocky minerality.
Common worth: $65
Score: 96
Greatest Tequila for Cocktail Lovers
Tres Agaves Tequila Blanco
Most tequilas within the $30 worth vary work higher in cocktails than sipped neat. Even then, there are many lackluster choices fraught with vanilla flavoring and components that may distract from the spirit’s function in producing a balanced drink. Whether or not used for a batched Marg, a spherical of El Diablos, or just a few bottles of Ranch Water, this tequila makes for a well-rounded base spirit. It’s fruity, floral, and packs simply sufficient spice to face as much as no matter else is perhaps within the shaker tin.
Common worth: $32
Score: 89
Greatest Tequila to Impress
Don Julio Alma Miel Tequila Joven
Identical to the model’s iconic 1942 expression, Don Julio Alma Miel Tequila Joven arrives in a slim, towering bottle that stands out on the shelf. Not solely is the bottle itself a dialog piece, however the liquid inside is exclusive in its personal proper. This mix of blanco tequila, French-sweet-wine-cask-aged añejo, and roasted agave honey dances between notes of caramelized apricots, pepper, and myriad baking spices from begin to end. The chew lives as much as the bark right here, making Don Julio Alma Miel Tequila Joven equally spectacular in taste and packaging.
Common worth: $100
Score: 92
Greatest Excessive-ABV Tequila
LALO Tequila Excessive Proof
Nowadays, many tequila manufacturers are innovating in thrilling new methods, together with cranking up the proof on blancos. The outcomes are typically extra full-bodied, flavor-packed iterations of every model’s baseline expression. Provided that LALO has solely produced blanco tequila up till this level — one thing it’s very good at — we anticipated nice issues from the model’s extremely anticipated high-proof launch, and LALO definitely delivered. At 54 p.c ABV, this expression bursts with dense flavors of lime zest, black olives, and cooked agave, touchdown savory, candy, and umami all on the similar time. For any tequila lover, or spirits fanatic on the whole, this launch is bound to please.
Common worth: $75
Score: 95
