Food

Americans Love Patrón, but These 10 Tequilas Are Superior

Friends drinking tequila at dinner party
knape / E+ via Getty Images

Are you tired of drinking the same bland tequila, mixed drinks, and cocktails with too much ethanol that burns your mouth and leaves you feeling disappointed? You’re not alone. The good news, though, is that there are many better options for lovers of tequila like yourself, you just have to know where to look. And you don’t have to take a risk on a random bottle in the grocery store, we did all the work of looking into the best tequila alternatives.

24/7 Wall St. Key Points:

  • The best tequila doesn’t have to be expensive, and tastes better and burns less than popular brands.

  • Most supermarkets and online retailers offer better versions of tequila, if you know what to look for.

  • 4 million Americans are set to retire this year. If you want to join them, click here now to see if you’re behind, or ahead. It only takes a minute. (Sponsor)

     

For this list, we consulted the experts online and cross-referenced the tequilas they recommend against each other to find only the best options. Here are the best ten tequilas.

#1 Tequila Partida Reposado

The farmer's hat is on the agave stalk in the town of Tequila Jalisco.
Jose de Jesus Churion Del / Shutterstock.com
An agave plant.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Caramel, florals, spice, butter, honey
  • Price: $55.00

Tequila Partida Reposado

Latin Woman drinking tequila or mezcal shot with group of young latin Friends making A Toast In Restaurant terrace in Mexico Latin America
Marcos Castillo / Shutterstock.com
Drinking tequila.

This is one of the most popular “reposado” tequilas on the market. It is aged in whiskey barrels using ten-year-old agave which makes it a fantastic option for cocktails.

#2 El Tesoro Extra Añejo

Mexican tequila shots with lime slices on wooden table. Drink made from agave
New Africa / Shutterstock.com
A photo of tequila shots.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Caramel, vanilla, citrus, spice, rich butter
  • Price: $175.00

El Tesoro Extra Añejo

At dawn the farmer is cutting several agave plants in the field of Tequila Jalisco.
Jose de Jesus Churion Del / Shutterstock.com
A photo of agave plants.

If you’ve never tried “sipping tequilas” before, we can’t recommend starting with El Tesoro Extra Añejo enough, because you’ll soon become a fanatic for trying other fantastic sipping tequilas and truly savoring the rich flavor of this variant of tequila. El Tesoro is best enjoyed neat and goes down much more smoothly than American tequilas which burn the whole way down.

#3 Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila

Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
Tequila shots.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Mint, agave, pepper
  • Price: $16.00

Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila

camaralenta / iStock via Getty Images
Agave plants.

Tequila has experienced a surge in price after limited-edition productions and high popularity have increased popularity. So, if you want to try something new but not take out a loan every month to fuel your drinking habit, then Pueblo Viejo Blanco Tequila is the drink for you. This is the best drink for the price and doesn’t overwhelm you with alcohol or other flavors, just pure agave taste.

#4 1800 Cristalino Añejo

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images
Tequila Sunrise cocktail.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Pepper, oak, agave
  • Price: $65.00

1800 Cristalino Añejo

Fudio / iStock via Getty Images
A photo of a margarita.

This is a particularly sweet tequila that doesn’t overwhelm with typical tequila taste or high prices. Through some innovations in the tequila-making process, the 1800 company is able to produce a clear, cheap tequila from aged stock that still retains a strong flavor that is fantastic neat, or as part of a cocktail.

#5 ArteNOM Selección de 1579 Blanco Tequila

MarynaVoronova / iStock via Getty Images
Tequila palomas.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Mint, pepper, papaya, cherry, pepper,
  • Price: $65.00

ArteNOM Selección de 1579 Blanco Tequila

igorr1 / iStock via Getty Images
A photo of tequila.

If you want something truly unique and love to talk about the process of making tequila, this is the one for you. The production of this tequila blanco involves a unique crushing step using scavenged parts like an old train wheel axle and junkyard cylinders and overnight oxidation. This, and more, results in an iconic fruity drink with a more interesting production that gets increasingly interesting the more you learn about it.

#6 Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 Tequila

etorres69 / iStock via Getty Images
A tequila sunrise cocktail.
  • ABV: 45.7%
  • Flavor and notes: Cinnamon, brine, olives,
  • Price: $150

Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 Tequila

bhofack2 / iStock via Getty Images
A ranch water cocktail.

If there’s one tequila you’ll find near the top of almost every list, it’s this one. The Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 Tequila is often the favorite within the circles of tequila experts, with many calling it “beautiful” at every step: from the look and aroma to the taste and mouth feel.

You can’t really call yourself a tequila expert if you haven’t at least tasted Fuenteseca Cosecha 2018 Tequila. You won’t soon forget the heavy cinnamon taste.

#7 Don Julio 1942

igorr1 / iStock via Getty Images
A photo of a tequila sunrise.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Caramel, spices, vanilla, florals
  • Price: $150.00

Don Julio 1942

chrisbenseler / Flickr
A tequila sunrise.

Looking for a tequila that not only tastes great but comes in a bottle that will make an impression on your guests? Try the Don Julio 1942. The production of this tequila uses a mix of traditional and modern techniques, resulting in one of the best tequilas in both taste and style. This is a worthy testament to Don Julio who created the brand.

#8 Tears of Llorona Extra Anejo Tequila

Shots of various types of tequila on bar with lime wedge
Lisa Romerein / Stone via Getty Images
Tequila shots.
  • ABV: 43%
  • Flavor and notes: nuts, caramel, oak, spice
  • Price: $250.00

Tears of Llorona Extra Anejo Tequila

Working man carrying pile of agave fruits in wheelbarrow
Mario Martinez / Moment via Getty Images
Making tequila.

This is probably one of the most complex-tasting tequilas on this list. Tears of Llorona is made from agave that was grown in cooler climates, which means the flavors have had more time to mature and develop, and which were then aged in brandy, sherry, and scotch oak barrels. If you’re looking to get started with tequila or aren’t really a tequila enthusiast, this is a fantastic place to start as Tears of Llorona often reminds people of bourbon or whiskey with its taste and feel.

#9 Los Arango Blanco Tequila

Friends enjoying tequila in bar
Cavan Images / Cavan via Getty Images
Tequila shots.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: herbs, toasted agave, vanilla
  • Price: $44.00

Los Arango Blanco Tequila

Mister Tequila tasting gallery
Holger Leue / The Image Bank via Getty Images
Tequila bottles.

This is probably the best tequila you can buy on a budget. It is produced quickly but still retains a fantastic flavor and feel. If you want something on hand for regular, casual drinking, then you can’t go wrong with Los Arango Blanco Tequila which not only tastes better than the most common versions you’ll find but also feels better.

#10 Corralejo Reposado Tequila

Stereotypical Mexican culture still life, tequila shots
Ragnar Schmuck / fStop via Getty Images
Tequila shots.
  • ABV: 40%
  • Flavor and notes: Oak, honey, agave, nuts, spice, pepper
  • Price: $30

Corralejo Reposado Tequila

Shots of Tequila with Salt and Lime Served in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Joel Villanueva / Moment via Getty Images
Tequila shots.

Looking for a tequila that your guests will praise whether they sip it neat, in a cocktail, or use it for something completely different and unique? This is the drink for you. This is one of the best tequilas in almost every category for its strong taste and sweet, nutty taste. It also comes in a beautiful bottle that will look fantastic in your collection.

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