VinePair: America’s Favorite Tequilas

America’s Favorite Tequilas

A swig of tequila is fun at parties (and may give you some liquid courage before you step onto that karaoke stage), but this agave spirit can also be enjoyed savored over an ice cube. That’s why we compiled these standout bottles that are meant to be relished straight up, rather than sloshed into cocktails.

Our top picks range from the unaged blanco style, which is best sipped straight or over a small ice cube, to extra anejos that have spent three years in oak. They all boast a smooth finish, but each has its own unique characteristics. The best tequilas are made with 100% blue Weber agave, which is distilled to remove the excess sugars and other additives. Only then are they considered tequilas and can be legally bottled in the US. Any other label is considered a mixto, which should be avoided because it contains added sugars and flavors that will mar the spirit’s true taste.

Herradura’s partnership with Brown-Forman, the company behind Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Old Forester bourbon, gives them access to barrel aging techniques that other tequila brands don’t have. With the brand’s new Legend tequila, they’ve used heavily charred but deeply grooved oak barrels, similar to those used by Jack Daniel’s to age their Sinatra Select expression. This grooving allows the liquid to more easily absorb the wood’s flavors without being overpowered. The result is a tequila with “green cooked agave, minerality, and citrus notes,” says Hurley.

This blanco, which is aged less than two months in oak, is one of the best tequilas to sip straight, thanks to the balance of agave and the spirit’s light finish. It’s no wonder it’s a favorite of many VinePair tasters, including Chasse, who considers it her favorite. “The agave is bright and citrusy, but it’s not overly sweet,” she says. “It’s very smooth and refreshing.”

VinePair: America’s Favorite Tequilas

The Blanco from Casamigos is always showing up on best-of lists because of its high quality, but it’s also a great tequila to enjoy in mixed drinks. The blue Weber agave is grown in the nutrient-rich red clay soil of Jalisco and slowly roasted for up to 72 hours in brick ovens, giving this tequila its crisp, clean flavor.

Don Julio’s squat bottles and high-quality blanco, reposado, and anejo bottlings are what brought top-shelf tequila back into fashion, especially with younger drinkers. It’s not the fanciest tequila around, but its price point and name recognition make it a popular choice.

This silver tequila is made in small batches and distilled by hand, giving it a subtle, delicate taste that’s perfect to enjoy on the rocks or in a cocktail. It’s also the tequila of choice for NBA players, including Lakers co-owner Jeanie Buss; Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens; Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck; and Hornets co-owner Emilia Fazzalari. It’s not the cheapest, but the agave-forward, light-bodied taste makes it worth a splurge.

Each tequila brand brings its own unique characteristics to the table, offering a diverse range of flavors to suit different palates. From renowned brands like Patrón and Don Julio to smaller artisanal distilleries, the tequila market offers a plethora of options for enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

Tequila is not only enjoyed straight but also serves as a key ingredient in many classic cocktails such as the Margarita and the Paloma. Its versatile nature allows mixologists to create a wide variety of drinks, from refreshing and tangy concoctions to rich and smoky creations.