Forget the sombreros and clichés – tequila is having a moment! But, let’s be honest, when has it not? Once relegated to rowdy shots and margaritas, this agave-based spirit is now celebrated for its diverse flavor profile, rich cultural heritage, and versatility in cocktails. From the crisp, citrusy notes of blancos to the complex oak-aged character of añejos, there’s a tequila to tantalize every taste bud. Whether you’re a seasoned tequila aficionado or just dipping your toe into the world of agave spirits, this guide is your passport to sipping success. We’ll explore the different types of tequila, delve into the production process, and unveil the best bottles to suit your palate and budget. So, grab your favorite salt shaker (or ditch it altogether!), because it’s time to discover the true depths of the best tequila beyond the shot glass!
Alcohol, of course, is far from good for you, but pure tequila is considered a “healthier” option compared to some other liquors due to its relatively low sugar content and nutritional makeup. Misleading headlines claiming tequila can improve your health are medically unproven, but many doctors agree that occasionally indulging in quality tequila is OK for individuals in good health.
Just make sure to grab a healthy snack on the side! A recent study found that booze could actually help people shed extra pounds — as long as you’re nosing on nuts and other healthy bar snacks. Scientists found that high-protein foods soak up alcohol without leading to pot bellies and love handles. The more you know, right?
As all tequilas are not created equal, when looking for the best tequilas you want to focus on agave content, flavor profile, and how they’re produced. StudyFinds visited 10 of the leading expert websites to see which tequilas were rated the highest. Our list is ranked based on the most-recommended tequilas across these sites. Salud!
➡️ How Our “Best Of The Best” Lists Are Created
StudyFinds’ “Best of the Best” articles are put together with the idea of taking the work out of common consumer research. Ever find yourself searching for a product or service on Google and reading multiple reviews to find items listed across many of them? Our Best of the Best lists are created with that process in mind, with each item ranked by how frequently it appears on expert reviews or lists. With Best of the Best, you are getting consensus picks — making them truly the best of the best!
The List: Best Tequila, According to Master Taste Testers
1. Fortaleza Blanco
Produced in the heart of Tequila, Mexico, Fortaleza Blanco Tequila packs a quality punch with notes of citrus, olives, and black pepper. Insider says agave experts consider Fortaleza one of the most revered brands in the world of tequila. This all comes down to their reputation that has been built up since 2005. But its roots dig deeper, with lineage tracing back all the way to Don Cernobio, the first to export tequila to the U.S., Insider adds. Plus, their value of tradition flows strong in each bottle. They have been utilizing practices like open-air fermentation and stone rolling with a tehona since the beginning.
The Fortaleza Blanco is also extra-proof with 40 percent ABV, making it a great pick for any celebration. Rolling Stone describes it as more complex than competitors. They also are impressed by the hand-blown, hand-painted glass bottle.
2. Don Julio 1942
If you enjoy a side of luxury with your tequila on the rocks, Don Julio 1942 is known as one of the most highly rated tequilas on the scene. You may recognize this bottle popping up on celebrity social media stories on nights out. How is it made? It rests for two and a half years in American white-oak barrels. The agave used for production is cooked in a brick oven, roller-milled, and distilled with deep, mineral well water in a stainless steel pot with a copper coil. Liquor says that the mixture of tradition and modern gear makes for a smooth, flowery potion with notes of caramel, vanilla, salt, and spice.
While Don Julio is a hugely successful tequila company, the company is also commended for its charitable efforts, with the The Don Julio Fund pledging $1 million to help local communities in Mexico. Why is it called 1942? Tasting Table explains that that is the year that founder Don Julio González started making his spirits. They say to expect sweet vanilla flavors with a touch of oakiness.
3. Casamigos Blanco
You may be skeptical of celebrity-founded tequila, is it really worth the hype? Whether you’re a fan of actor and co-founder George Clooney or not, tequila aficionados say Casamigos is a safe bet. Every batch is distilled for at least two months in stainless steel barrels and is made in the Jalisco highlands from 100 percent agave.
Rolling Stone describes it as smooth and natural tasting. They say to expect sweet agave, ight citrus, and just a touch of vanilla flavor. Due to its smooth and approachable flavor, Casamigos makes for a great tequila to buy if you’re just getting into drinking the spirit.
According to Delish, this bottle is classy without being a try-hard. They love its long, smooth finish.
4. Tequila Ocho Plata
If you’re looking for an agave-centric tequila that shines through in margaritas but doesn’t overpower, Tequila Ocho Plata is a top choice. “As the winner of the Best of Class Silver/Gold (unaged) Tequila award, Ocho Plata bested 110 other tequilas to take home. Developed by third-generation tequilero Carlos Camarena and industry legend Tomas Estes, this tequila is made from premium overripe agaves in Jalisco, Mexico. Complex with a hint of its home terroir, it exhibits both mineral and fruit flavors,” says Forbes.
The spirit is full and complex with notes of grass and earthiness. GQ says this is a bartender favorite for making margaritas. They commend them for being the first brand to be transparent with the year of production and the field the agave was taken from.
5. Herradura Silver
Herradura Silver is ranked as the best overall tequila according to Delish. They say it “packs a punch” with vanilla, citrus, and distinct sweet agave flavors. Apparently, the longer you leave it sitting out, the better it tastes.
“This tequila has one of the bolder flavor profiles you will find, yet it retains the smoothness that defines great tequilas,” writes The Spruce Eats says this bottle has a bolder flavor profile than competitors. That means it won’t get lost in cocktails. That being said, it is also not cringe-worthy in shot form either, they write.
GQ adds a bit about the production process behind this bottle: “Herradura Blanco tequila is barrel-aged for 45 days—which goes beyond the industry standard for blanco tequilas—giving subtle oak and vanilla notes, which mesh well with Cointreau or agave syrup.”
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This is an updated version of a pos first published November 8, 2022.
Seems to be a Diageo placed top 5. If you have any knowledge of the tequila market most of these over hyped and actually have been changed recipe wise to make more money. 1942 going back to when it first was released until today has quadrupled in price, it’s a good Extra Anejo. Not worth the $165 price point. Forteleza by far the best tequila on this list. After Clooney and Weber sold Casa Migos to Bacardi it’s been altered. Still a decent Blanco. Ocho Plata good but price keeps going up. Comparison Cuervo Reserve Blanco the original Blanco amazing for $45-50. What I find strange there isn’t a reposado on your list??
Good Luck
1942 is not an extra anejo. Cuervo Platino (reserva) has not been good since 2008.
Spot on comments but so many people claiming to be tequila experts are simply novices to it. They’re rating based on the stuff they’ve been exposed to and this list barring Fortaleza and Tequila Ocho is a list of commercial mumbo jumbo. Please people, try Tequila matchmaker app before you buy Tequila and see a list of true experts in the game rating tequila. Take it from people in the community. I’ve had over 60 different tequilas and in that community I’m still behind in experience compared to others.
A reposado should never be in these lists. The pure Blanco is the way to go always and when you’re talking about quality you should always respect the product as it’s purity. The añejos are ok to put in the list due to the aging process but reposados shouldn’t even be reviewed due to added properties in the process
Couldn’t agree more with the above comment. This is a list of over hyped tequilas. Casamigos has many additives for flavor and are we seriously putting El Jimador on the list?
Over priced and over hyped. Entry level and price point clearly goes to Teremana.
Teremana should be in no Indy tequila list entry or otherwise. Entry level try Espolón, Tapatio, or even Altos.
For additives free and not over priced look at Pasote, Siete Lenguas, Casa Noble, Ocho and Fortaleza to name a few.
Save your money no need for 1942 or Clase Azul unless you are looking for souvenir bottles
casomigos contains artifical flavor along with a ass of sugar. tequila made for Americans has to contains a high sugar content. yall don’t have a clue what ur talking about. example to not include sauza on this list but include the wrong date payout when they said tequila isn’t tequila if it doesn’t come from 3 places. that was all the sauza family back in 1934.
I think you may want to go over your list again….. LMAO 1942 and Casamigos and the word Best should never be in the same sentence.
Full of additives and fake flavors
If you’re going to drink blanco or anejo Herradura is hands down one of the best and if you want to jump up slightly in price point Casa Dragones is a better choice in my opinion. However 1942 although good, has been over hyped and now way over priced. At that price, Tears of Llorona is a far superior choice for about $20 more and the juice is actually worth the squeezed. Happy sipping!
*Tears of Llorona is far superior.
There I fixed your post, you’re welcome.
I’ve always been a fan if 1942 but this year I’ve stumbled upon Adictivo Anejo…..wow!! It doesn’t have the oak finish of 1942 but definitely one of the smoothest and most flavorful tequilas I’ve tried. Love it!
Lol, the most additives and sugar added tequila on the market. You aret drinking Tequila, you are drinking sugar water and a super outrageous price!
Lol? You’re a moron and a cheap one at that! Not everyone likes tequila the same. Some sweeter, some a bit watered down and so on. Additives in tequila are no different than adding additives to any other alcohol. People have these things called tastebuds that help decide what we like for ourselves. But I guess opinions are like (Jays)…everyone has one!
I have to agree wth Jaybird on this one. Additive have no business in a bottle of alcohol. You shold add what you want.
Wow overreact much? Jay is dead on, you might like the taste of adictivo but it doesn’t taste at all like Tequila. And assuming someone is cheap just because they don’t like the overpriced additive laden garbage you do really makes you look like the moron to those who actually know Tequiula.
I skip the adictivo and get Suerte extra anejo for the same price and it completely blows it away.
That add sugars and additives to Adictivo :(.
Adictivo is disgustingly sweet. It tastes like tequila mixed with lots of agave syrup. The full line of Adictivo tequilas and even the Adictivo whiskey have the same sweet flavors.
2 out of 5 is pretty bad when you consider all the great additive-free brands on the market these days. Thumbs up for Forteleza and Tequila Ocho. Please consider confirmed additive-free brands such as Cascahuin, Siete Leguas, Insólito, and the highly anticipated Flor de Fuego for 2023. We can and must do better and Casamigos ain’t it…
Ditto!
How about Clase Azul !?
Clase Azul is probably the tequila for me.
I love good sipping Tequila and the best for the price is Herradura Ultra…Extremely tasty Tequila. After the second round, it’s starts to have a slight taste of cotton candy. Exceptional Tequila.
You’re just sipping on a tequila that’s filtered down and has additives in it.
Tequila should not taste like cotton candy, that flavor comes from sweeteners and additives designed to appeal to people who don’t like the taste of alcohol.
Oh. I get it. Writer wrote this up at the airport lounge as these were the only tequilas available. Understandable as to how it’s such a horrible top 5 besides Fortaleza and Ocho. The other 3 are all very commercialized and artificial. Try some additive free and real tequilas next time. Tequileño, Don Fulano, Lalo, Cazcanes… so many better options.
Perfectly said, just check with Tequila Matchmaker and they’ll back everything up that celebrity tequila is mostly additives and just a rip off.
Fortaleza and Tequila Ocho are superior and additive free at half the price
Cheers
Camarena Blanco blue bottle
Is the best
And reasonably priced
No one knows of this tequila
I wanted to be a sales person for them to travel and get the name out there
Everyone knows of Camarena tequila but ignore it because it smells and tastes like nail polish remover. One of the worst diffuser made tequilas out there, barely drinkable even mixed.
If you haven’t tried…IZO..It is your loss! OTACA and ONE ROQ are also worth a try! Argex as well!
Well paid ad. A couple of the names were right on but as soon as you put Casa Amigos on the list, you lose credibility.
Agreed! Corralejo tequila top shelf is easily in the top 5
Jay for the win
I have to agree wth Jaybird on this one. Additive have no business in a bottle of alcohol. You shold add what you want.
I have many Mexican Amigos they won’t touch Cassamigo.
Try Don Roberto as a substitute for Don Julio 1942 style.
I also enjoy Patron Silver in MARGARITA
Casadora for Party Pitcher
Hi I’m Mexican and the only good tequila from the list is Don Julio 1942.
Best tequilas from a Mexican :
1. Casa Dragones Blanco
2. José Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo
3. Herradura Reposado
4. Don Ramón Blanco, Maestro tequilero Blanco, Herradura plata, José Cuervo Tradicional for drinks.
5. Maestro Tequilero Dobel ( Cristalino) for shots.
Just goes to show being Mexican doesn’t mean you know good Tequila. Casa Dragones is the worst garbage there is, diffuser made and additive laced. Cuervo DlF and Herradura were great 20 yrs ago, now shadows of what they used to be.
Los Abuelos / Fortaleza, Siete Leguas, El Tesoro, G4, Don Fulano, Don Pilar, Ocho. Brands that are traditionally made and haven’t been ruined by huge conglomerate buyouts.
spot on!
You disgrace your county almost since birth
I would not include any tequilas with additives.
My faves would be,
Fortaleza, Lalo, Mijenta, Cazcanes, Tequileno, Don Fulano.
Yes. Was shocked to see Casamigos because of this
I was all in with #1 and then you lost me at 1942 and Casamigos. this is obviously a paid article. Only Fortaleza and Ocho are worth buying, all those others are garbage.
Good feedback
All the way! Trust this comment
I will let everyone in on a secret. You like what we want you to like. I launched Casamigos, Casa Noble, Cabo Wabo and others. Same goes for most every spirit. If everyone knew what really went on in this industry and what you thought you were drinking you would be pretty upset.
Drink what you like, none of you are wrong or right. Truthfully they are all good if you like it. 25 years ago there was unpalatable stuff in every category, but now with the science it’s pretty much all well made.
Number two, number three, and number five couldn’t have been picked by experts… but definitely picked by Morons