top tequilas

[Ken Gargett]

a list from liquor.com 

 

The Best Tequila at Any Price

Written by 

Liquor.com

Updated 10/23/19

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Image: Laura Sant

You know who knows best which bottles to buy? The people who pour and sell drinks—that’s who. We asked dozens of top bartending and spirits industry professionals to tell us which bottles they love and why.

Heads up: The numerical order below is not organized by importance or quality; it’s an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Prices are averages and can vary from state to state.

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  Calle 23 Blanco ($34)

  

  “This awesome tequila made by Sophie Decobecq is one that focuses on fermentation and yeast, and the result is spectacular. Easy-drinking solo or in Margaritas, it’s a favorite. Buyers, beware that tequila is inherently a pricey thing to make and drink; your tequila should never be dirt cheap, or something is wrong.”—Ivy Mix, owner of Leyenda in New York City

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  El Jimador Reposado ($28)

  

  “This tequila is great for making Palomas and Margaritas. The flavor introduced at Casa Herradura during fermentation pairs wonderfully with citrus.”—Trevor Wheeler, bartender at The Meeting House in Rochester, Mich.

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  Espolòn Reposado ($25)

  

  “It’s great as both a cocktail and sipping tequila, rested just long enough to add an oaky finish to sweet agave.”—Travis Sanders, bartender at Pennyroyal in Seattle

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  Herradura Silver ($46)

  

  “Herradura has a woody vanilla finish that adds an interesting twist to a Margarita. This is a great bottle to help build a home bar.”—Sanders

   

   
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  Olmeca Altos Plata ($29)

  

  “It’s my absolute favorite sipping or mixing tequila, unadulterated by wood, oak and vanilla. All you’re tasting is high-elevation agave, terroir and the tahona process.”—Nathaniel Smith, creative director of bar and drinks at Travail Kitchen and Amusements in Minneapolis

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  Siete Leguas Blanco ($45)

  

  “To me, tequila has texture and depth. This tequila has some vegetal notes but not offensive, with some minerals present.”—Jose Medina Camacho, bar manager at Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Birmingham, Ala.

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  Siete Leguas Reposado ($50)

  

  “This is the benchmark for reposados everywhere, characteristic of the Highlands, being floral and a little peppery.”—Mix

•  

  Tapatio Blanco ($45)

  

  “It’s tequila like it should be.”—Medina Camacho

[Cayman17]

I actually bought a bottle of the Olmeca Altos Plata a few months ago based on this email article, because the liquor store actually had it in stock. It is delicious. We love it in margaritas ??

[inter4alia]

This one blows them all out of the water hands down 

[RicoIsHere]

Thanks for this post. Tequila is one of those spirits i don’t consume or stock too often and marketing most likely overwhelms the good ones.  Ive had espolin often and it is underrated IMHO. 

[Ken Gargett]

On 5/16/2020 at 8:20 AM, inter4alia said:

This one blows them all out of the water hands down 

i'm not much of a tequila drinker but i did love this one (did a fuller piece on it, if i am allowed, - https://quillandpad.com/2019/07/30/agave-get-it-my-heart-to-tequila-a-brief-history-and-tasting-notes-by-a-very-recent-convert/

[inter4alia]

9 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

i'm not much of a tequila drinker but i did love this one (did a fuller piece on it, if i am allowed, - https://quillandpad.com/2019/07/30/agave-get-it-my-heart-to-tequila-a-brief-history-and-tasting-notes-by-a-very-recent-convert/

Thanks, Ken. I knew I heard about this tequila somewhere here I just couldn't remember where. I'd never heard of it before but I'm glad you posted about because it's now in my regular rotation. 

[ChanceSchmerr]

Orgullo Pueblo Viejo Anejo.  My all-time favorite, as full of flavour and nuance as a fine single malt whisky.

Good Luck finding it though. I've only ever spotted it in San Francisco in all my travels.