Best Mexican Tequila: Top 10 Tequila Brands

1. Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila

Don Julio’s 1942 blend pays tribute to the founder by being named after the year he started distilling tequila when he was just 17 years old. Made in small batches with copper pot stills, it’s a distinguished specimen of tequila.

After no less than two and a half years of ageing, it delivers a sweet and complex bouquet, which reveals spicy notes of oak, pepper, and cinnamon.

2. Casa Noble Extra Añejo Single Barrel

Produced at the La Cofradia distillery, Casa Noble is one of the only CCOF certified organic tequila brands in Mexico. This new release is part of Casa Noble’s The Single Barrel Program.

It has been aged for over three years in a single bousiné French white oak barrel. Therefore, it features a remarkably rich profile with a smooth mouthfeel.

3. Fortaleza Blanco

Fortaleza focuses on artisanal craftsmanship and follows traditional methods in its production. The piñas are steamed in a small brick oven and then carefully crushed with a tahona stone wheel. After fermentation, the tequila is distilled using small copper pot stills.

If you’re looking for a classic blanco tequila, Fortaleza produces one of the most authentic options, which offers rich minerality and a buttery mouthfeel that’s dominated by floral and herbaceous notes.

4. Herradura Ultra Añejo

Produced at the new San Jose del Refugio facility, Herradura’s Ultra Añejo is a truly unique tequila expression. It blends the 49-month old ex-bourbon barrel-aged Selección Suprema Extra Añejo with a 25-month-old Añejo.

However, Herradura then uses an extremely fine filtering process, which results in a crystal clear liquid. When looking at it, it resembles a regular blanco tequila. Nevertheless, tasting it will reveal an expected tableau of woody and vanilla flavours with hints of spices.

5. Roca Patrón Silver

Patrón is probably one of the most famous tequilas on the market after it had marketed itself as the world’s first ultra-premium brand. This is best represented by its silver tequila, which is sold in large quantities around the world.

It’s a fresh tequila that can be used in a variety of cocktails. However, it can also be enjoyed neat thanks to its clean fruity and citrus flavours that marry with hints of baked agave.

6. Don Julio Reposado Double Cask

Since Don Julio launched its limited-edition double cask range, it has produced some fascinating combinations. On this occasion, it consists of finishing tequila that was aged in American white oak barrels with ex-Scotch whisky casks that were first used by Buchanan.

As a result, it offers deep flavours of chocolate malt with hints of peat while revealing tropical fruit and spices. Overall, an original and tantalising tequila to try!

7. El Jimador Reposado

Produced in the same facility as Herradura as it’s also owned by Brown Forman, el Jimador is a more affordable alternative. If you’re looking for a smooth reposado, el Jimador’s expression spends a two-month “siesta” in American oak barrels.

As a result, it reveals gentle aromas of vanilla with a mildly spicy flavour profile. Although it can be enjoyed neat, it can offer an intriguing level of complexity to your favourite cocktails.

8. Gran Centenario Plata

Gran Centenario can easily be recognised by its stunning Art-Deco-inspired bottles that are reminiscent of late-19th century absinthe. However, what sets this affordable plata tequila apart is the very brief ageing process.

After distillation, the tequila is rested in new French Limousin oak barrels (the same used for cognac) for 28 days before being blended with aged Selección Suave tequila reserves. As it has been aged for less than a month, it’s technically a plata tequila rather resposada despite its mildly amber hue.

9. Avión Silver Tequila

Avión’s Silver is an award-winning tequila and has been recognised by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition as the “world’s best tasting tequila”. Indeed, it is a very fine spirit that is comparatively younger than the other brands on this list.

You may experience a nose of bittersweet grapefruit, which is then expressed as caramelised pineapple and butterscotch on the palate. It’s a particularly interesting alternative to Patrón in that it can be sipped chilled and neat or as part of a cocktail.

10. Casa Dragones Añejo Barrel Blend

Casa Dragones prides itself in its artisanal approach where it only produces tequila in small 500-case batches. Its Añejo barrel blend is produced by blending tequila that has been aged separately in new 100% Quercus Sessile French oak and new American oak.

Both barrels have been lightly “bousiné” or toasted, which helps in offering greater complexity by reducing the wood’s influence. The result is a floral and fruity nose with rich macadamia and spicy nutmeg flavour that finishes on a crescendo of cacao and pepper.