Best Tequilas to Drink - AskMen - Star Prestige Review

20 Distinguished Sipping Tequilas You Should Try at Least Once

July 24, 2018

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Hate it or love it – the tequila age is upon us! Mexico’s signature spirit is refreshing neat or on the rocks. You can enjoy it chilled or at room temperature. It makes the perfect mixer for any margarita. And we can all agree it's the next best celebratory drink to champagne when it comes to any birthday, wedding, happy hour or Cinco de Mayo bash.

Tequila is also one of those liquors that has multiple uses. It can help fight off a cold. Many deem it a suitable painkiller when their bottle of aspirin goes missing. Even science says that consuming the distilled alcohol in moderation can improve your appearance, and no, it’s not due to the beer-goggle effect.

But an acceptable taste and high tolerance for tequila doesn’t label you an expert in the field. To really get the most out of the agave-born elixir, you need to know what makes it authentic, how to differentiate each type, and what the top selections are. Let us pick up your tab on this round.

What Makes for a Great Tequila?

Every tequila type offers its own tasting experience. Only the purest blends deserve recognition. Right now, there are currently five official classes or “5 sources of flavor” of tequila. Take a look at what key factors differentiate each one.

Blanco/Silver/Plata
- Unmellowed: Bottled ASAP
- Mellowed: Aged or rested for less than 2 months
Reposado
- Barrel rested
- Tank rested
- Length of rest period (2 – 12 months)
Añejo
- Type/condition of barrel
- Length of aging period (1 year +)
Extra-Añejo
- Length of aging period (3 years +)
Cristalino
- Complexity and character of an añejo with the crisp, bright notes of a blanco
- Essentially añejo or aged tequila often filtered through charcoal

What about gold (aka joven) tequila? While rare in availability, it isn’t favored amongst tequila aficionados as it’s not produced from 100% agave and contains colorants and flavorings. As for what makes a tequila worth buying, we got the 411 from 2017 Tequila Herradura Bartender Legends national competition champion and Boston’s own Naomi Levy, who shares her expertise on the subject:

“The most important thing is to look for '100% agave' on the label. This is the best way to make sure you're getting a quality product made from only blue agave and nothing else. Also, look for 'Hecho en Mexico' or 'Made in Mexico' on the label. This will also be on the label as NOM with a number. That number correlates to the company producing the tequila and that they comply with the protections for the appellation of origin and ensure you’re getting a true Tequila that follows the proper standards.”

Get your glasses lined up, as we pour complimentary shots of the market’s best tequilas that you’ll want to stock your home bar with – across each major category and various price points. A su salud!

Blanco/Silver/Plata

This division of tequila is an expression carrying the taste factor of the agave plant and location from which it’s derived. Levy explains how a good blanco “shouldn’t burn, but rather is warming on the way down.” “It should be crisp, and I always look for nice citrus notes to complement the earthy and vegetal qualities of the agave.” Good to know!

Casamigos Blanco

Celebrity-backed liquors are usually magnets for criticism, but this spirit is far from what skeptics might call a “Hollywood” tequila. Founded by A-lister extraordinaire, George Clooney, Casamigos has been responsible for some of the most impressive tequilas to hit the market with its blanco variant superseding expectations thanks to an appetizing vanilla custard profile and stellar smoothness. Not exactly flavors one would associate with an unaged tequila, yet it's incredibly effective. To drink it any other way except neat would be a disservice.
$30.99 at Drizly.com

Olmeca Altos Silver

One of the top budget tequilas out, this silver alternative delivers a smoky and sweet finish that works perfectly for mixed cocktails or on the rocks. It continues to earn praise for its complexity and depth of flavor with a long-lasting citrus sweetness and herbal nose complementary to the liquid's spicy mouthfeel. Creamy, fresh, and unaged – it’s an underpriced tequila boasting near-premium performance.
$25.99 at Saucey.com

ArteNOM Selección 1579 Blanco

Blooming softly in the mouth, Selección 1579 Blanco features true agave character with a full body that presents layer upon layer of sensational flavors. It opens with earthy notes before transitioning into spicier notes of pepper and mint. You’re then left with a s'mores-esque finish highlighted by caramel, Mexican chocolate, and burnt marshmallow. Much of its sweetness is derived from the higher altitude in which the agave is grown, and its viscous texture accentuates the tequila's brisk and premium quality.
$49.99 at Drizly.com

Ghost Tequila

An edgy expression with some serious kick, Ghost Tequila is an intense offering designed to summon your spirit after one shot. The Boston-based brand infuses its liquor with 100% agave tequila and ridiculously hot ghost peppers, creating a tequila that not’s only ideal for cocktails, but surprisingly smooth when taken neat. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just some jalapeño-inspired tequila, as this spicy elixir also releases notes of lemongrass, pomegranate, and black and pink peppercorn to achieve a uniform palate.
$21.99 at Drizly.com

Reposado

“Reposado is probably my favorite category to sip on,” muses Levy. “I look for a nice light spice and vanilla character that balances with the raw notes of the agave…the oak should be a subtle complement and you should still be able to taste the earthy notes of the agave it is made from.”

Milagro Reposado

Many drinkers admire this gorgeous bottle from a far, yet continue to deprive themselves of its luscious agave richness. Milagro's entry level (and understated) tequila is made to comfort newbies afraid of embracing an unaged reposado. One sip welcomes a marvelous palate of flavors that can be best described as earthy (oak) and energetic (citrus). Savor it as a crowning ingredient for any ultra-premium drink. You can’t go wrong with the Select Reserve expression either.
$33.35 at Drizly.com

Clase Azul Reposado Tequila

Clase Azul leaves an amazing first impression that justifies its Benjamin price tag. This lively blend is as boisterous as its hand-crafted bottle. Every pour highlights the reposado's full body and silkiness, while manifesting the aromatic hallmarks of a prime tequila. Cooked agave. Toffee caramel. Vanilla. Fruity and woody notes. Saying it earns a spot on any top shelf isn’t drunk talk.
$71.99 at Drizly.com

Partida Reposado Tequila

Here is a comfort tequila best known for its crispness and delicacy. Partida’s somewhat mature expression shares the same flavorful notes of its blanco sibling, only leaving a gentler, smoother feel on the mouth. The tastes of cooked agave, almonds, mild pepper, and sweet oak culminates in a buttery finish that pleasantly sits on the back of the throat. It’s an easy-sipping tequila that drinkers will tip their hat to.
$32.99 at Drizly.com

1800 Reposado Tequila

Bold in presence, tasty AF in consumption, this double-distilled tequila is rested for nearly half a year to produce a distinctive taste. The delicious blend of butterscotch, vanilla and toasted coconut flavors make this the perfect mixer for any margarita. Most of these sweetened notes reverberate in your mouth for a long time without compromising the tequila’s smokiness. Simply put, 1800 awards drinkers with a fruity finish and sweet zest that's wonderful with or without a chaser.
$19.79 at Drizly.com

Añejo

Levy favors añejos that “have an almost sweeter flavor and never taste cloying” and feels they should “be bold in their flavor without imparting any raw wood flavors.” We couldn’t agree more.

Don Julio 1942

The final product created by Don Julio González was his greatest masterpiece. 1942 will forever be adored by celebrities and men with exquisite taste. Despite being hailed as an extra añejo, the expression misses the qualification by six months and is technically considered an añejo, granted it shares the premium-ness and slickness of its matured brethren – aged in oak barrels for more than a year to produce its natural golden-brown color and distinguished flavors. Its vanilla fragrance with hints of cherry pulls your lips to the glass. Oh yea, the sexy bottle also stands out as an opulent centerpiece for any bar.
$94.99 at Drizly.com

Espolòn Añejo

As much love as its blanco expression gets, it’s the bourbon-barrel-finished añejo that remains the true champ of the Espolòn collection. This savory tequila is matured in Wild Turkey barrels that bring forth tasty vanilla and chocolate notes, which enhance complexity and smoothness. It’s versatile enough to enjoy on the rocks or with a signature Mexican meal, plus it is light on the wallet if you need the extra cash to cover takeout.
$22.99 at Drizly.com

Casa Noble Añejo

Several tequila connoisseurs love referring to this aged tequila as liquid gold. Not just for its golden color, but its satiating characteristics as well. Casa Noble’s contribution to the category is sweet and peppery on the nose with flavorful transitions that spoil the mouth with hints of caramel and orange peel. Beautifully aged and limited in quantity, it bears many of the winning traits of a trophy tequila, minus the absurd price tag.
$64.99 at Drizly.com

Siete Leguas Tequila Anejo

Siete Leguas Añejo is a full-bodied expression that exudes intensity and warmth. It boasts an energetic range of flavors by meshing earthy and floral notes together with the “unique herbaceous, peppery and vegetal characteristics” of agave for a sharp, smoky finish. Light on the tongue, spicy down the throat, the spices linger much longer than anticipated, allowing sippers to bask in the tequila’s phenomenal zest.
$43.99 at Drizly.com

Extra Añejo

Levy believes an elite extra añejo should “bring in more confection notes to the tequila from the oak.” You better believe these senescent bottles don’t come cheap. Having one on your bar countertop serves as a status symbol.

Herradura Selección Suprema

The crown jewel of the Herradura collection (and tequila category) is by far this 49-month-aged spirit, which can easily be mistaken for the finest cognac courtesy of its plentiful, complex aroma and smooth AF mouthfeel. You’re instantly treated to a delicious palate of flavors including ample coconut, almond brittle, and salty caramel, whereas exotic notes of raspberry envelop your senses with every sip. One can’t help but appreciate its golden-amber appearance that exudes opulence no matter where the bottle is placed. Owning it certainly warrants you luxe stature.
$289.98 at Drizly.com

Avion Reserva 44

Aged for 44 months, Avion's ultra-aged añejo shares the taste profile of a fine cognac, only smoother. Hints of cappuccino, cinnamon, clove, deep vanilla, and salted caramel enrich this tequila with a savory nose that’s irresistible upon the first sniff. This, in turn, adds more depth to its flavor profile with a complex infusion of ripe luscious fruits and roasted agave, maturing into a long and creamy finish.
$92.99 at Drizly.com

Espolòn Añejo X

Where most extra añejos top out at the five-year mark, Espolòn takes its efforts one step further by distilling this tequila for six years to achieve a savorier profile. Many will find the nose to be rich without coming on too strong, as notes of caramel and vanilla mix with cinnamon to balance out its enticing aroma. It’s conveniently priced for a tequila in its category and holds its own against the elder gods.
$34.99 at Drizly.com

Jose Cuervo Reserva De La Familia Extra Añejo

Legacy alone places Jose Cuervo amongst the greatest tequila makers of all time. Reserva de La Familia expands on the brand’s private stash by introducing what’s been billed as “the world’s first extra añejo tequila.” It undergoes one of the more unique blending processes, oak-aged for three years and fused with 30-year-old reserved tequila to create a spirit that’s akin to a well-crafted scotch. With its mellow flavor profile and velvety finish, what’s not love? Now you know why it’s listed as one of the top 50 most wanted tequilas.
$89.99 at Drizly.com

Cristalino

Drop the mic on them, Naomi: “The Cristalino category should combine the rich notes of an añejo with the brightness of a blanco. Striking that balance is what makes for some of the best versions of this expression.” Bottoms up!

Volcan De Mi Tierra Cristalino

Moet Hennessy already wears crowns in the champagne and whiskey categories. Looks like its cristalino expression is destined for similar fame. Volcan ushers in “the new era of tequila,” produced at the base of a volcano and using agave grown in rich volcanic soil to achieve bold, unique flavors. An oak aging process of 12 to 18 months is what gives the spirit its creamy mouthfeel, combining a vivacious blend of juicy notes such as caramel, vanilla, and chocolate with the pleasant aftertaste of an extra añejo perfect for sipping.
$53.95 at Missionliquor.com

Herradura Ultra

Herradura’s latest selection is the next best thing to its most premium option. It blends 25-month-old añejo with Selección Suprema and agave to possess the soft and smooth palate of an ultra añejo. Full-bodied and delectable in taste, Ultra blesses you with intense notes of cinnamon and pepper, while leaving hints of almond, caramel, and dried fruit on your taste buds. Tasting it from your partner’s mouth only intensifies the tequila's nectarous sensation.
$45.99 at Drizly.com

Hornitos Cristalino Añejo

Labeled a budget tequila brand amongst the spirits consensus, Hornitos has earned a solid reputation for serving quality tequila at a cost-friendly value. The company’s Cristalino expression stands out as a worthy investment for drinkers seeking a filtered añejo that won’t break the bank. A flavor profile consisting of honey, vanilla, and oak paired with blanco and añejo-esque notes produces a well-balanced palate for those who enjoy a punchy kick. Experts recommend topping it off with a little club soda.
$19.99 at Drizly.com

Don Julio 70 Anejo Claro

One of the first in creation, this 70th anniversary bottle commemorates the founder’s introduction into tequila-making. The result is a tequila that brings together the complexity of an añejo with the gentleness of a blanco for a resolute aftertaste. Don Julio ages each bottle up to 18 months in American white-oak barrels and is charcoal-filtered to deliver 100% blue agave zest. It starts fruity and ends salty, creating a thrilling finish that lingers till the next sip.
$3.99 at Drizly.com

Best Tequilas to Drink - AskMen