This unaged, clear tequila is triple distilled for an exceptionally smooth sipping experience with slight hints of citrus, floral notes and white pepper. Maestro Dobel Tequila . At masterofmalt.com, A rosa tequila? Reposado – literally, a “rested” tequila which has been aged in oak barrels for between two and 12 months. This reposado tequila is just the ticket for anyone who wants a wonderfully smooth and equally mild drinking experience. elrayotequila.com, The pièce de résistance of top-quality tequila, Clase Azul’s super-luxe añejo is a silky spirit that you’ll want to savour. 100% agave-- This is a spirit made entirely from the agave plant. There’s both a Blanco and Cristilano available too, just in case you want the full collection. It’s light for a reposado – possibly too light for some – but its unique combination of flavours saw it take the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009. 1 Villa One Silver Tequila. Here’s our guide to the some of the best tequilas you can buy, plus tips on what to look out for before you make your purchase. Tequila and tonic: it’s delicious and you should try it. At thewhiskyexchange.com, Cazcabel’s blanco tequila is a brilliant and affordable option if you're looking for a classic tequila, but it’s the brand’s more unique blends that infuse honey and coffee that you should really look out for. Whether you're looking for something smooth to sip or something flavourful for a cocktail or two, we've tried, tested and rated some of the best tequilas for every palate. Suerte Blanco. At masterofmalt.com, The perfect base for a Margarita, Patrón’s Silver tequila is crisp, citrusy and renowned as one of the best tequilas on the market for a reason. El Espolòn Blanco. Absolutely, especially if you like your tequila on the sweeter side, with vanilla and caramel coming through on both the nose and pallet, balanced with spice and tobacco. That gives it a delicate complexity: on the nose, you get oak, vanilla and cocoa, while taste-wise it’s a rich and balanced combination of dried fruit, fresh herbs and vanilla. Key specs – Alcohol content: 38%; Bottle size: 70cl; Type: Blanco. Look out for brands that carry this statement, they'll display it on their bottle proudly. When it comes to tequila, there is way more to it than meets the eye. The fact that it’s produced in conjunction with Tomas Estes, an official tequila ambassador for the Mexican government, probably tells you all you need to know about the quality. Mixto -- This is a mixture of agave plus other ingredients which include grain alcohols and/or sugar and food coloring.It must be at least 51% agave to qualify as tequila… With blanco, the agave flavours tend to be more intense, while reposado or añejo are usually smoother and more mellow and complex – and just like other spirits aged in casks, they can take on the flavours of the wood. 2 Don Julio Blanco. Salud! My tasters—all frequent and enthusiastic margarita-drinkers—sampled them blind, took notes to describe their impressions, and voted on the best. Tequila can be a stiff drink, but it’s no stronger than any other spirit. Price: £54 | … Made exclusively of blue weber agave, the hand-nurtured and picked plants are steam cooked for 24 hours for additional complexity. Expert Reviews™ is a registered trade mark. https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/best-tequila-uk Fantastic over ice on in a creamy espresso-martini style cocktail. In the rest of the world, a shot is commonly accompanied by a dash of salt and a slice of lime – the salt to reduce the burn of the tequila and the sour fruit to enhance its flavour. Patrón Silver. Sometimes the classics truly are the best. The name tequila is protected, so all brands and types come from Mexico. blanco) tequilas for this taste test, with the intention of using the tequila to make a batch of margaritas. The brainchild of George Clooney and Rande Gerber, friends who could never find a tequila quite good enough to serve in their Mexican homes, this is a spirit that has unsurprisingly attracted a lot of publicity. The different tastes are quite distinctive. Copyright © Dennis Publishing Limited 2021. Let’s start with something we’ve probably all heard of – Patron Silver … You need to make sure your tequila is 100% agave, meaning it is made entirely using the nectar from the agave plant. If you're looking for the perfect liqueur for those fruity cocktails this coconut delight from Cazcabel is a delicious alternative to classic tequila. Gran Patrón Piedra tequila. Sipping in style: extra añejo . This one shines brightest on its own. It’s clean, fresh-tasting and well balanced. This is a tequila for really treating yourself – and it should be at … Coconut fans are guaranteed to love this, as it has an incredibly strong coconut flavour and a smooth, easy-drinking finish. Each bottle is aged for at least two years in American white-oak barrels, infusing it with sweet notes of vanilla, caramel and tropical fruits for a truly exceptional tequila. All products are independently selected by our editors. Key specs – Alcohol content: 40%; Bottle size: 70cl; Type: Reposado. This tequila is produced in the lowlands of the Jalisco region, so it … Nick Caputo, bartender and ambassador for Fords Gi… There are two main categories of tequila. Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. No throat burning with this premium tequila from Sauza, named for the three generations of their family who have been making their tequila since 1873. Whether you like them frozen, on the rocks, or flavored, margaritas are a must. Blanco – a white-coloured spirit, bottled or stored straight after distillation or aged less than two months in stainless steel or oak barrels. Great for sipping, and delicious for margaritas. However, if you prefer your tequila on the milder side, you might want to check out some of the other offerings on this list. This luxury sipping tequila is the best Añejo we've tried. The bottle is one of five offerings from the Jalisco-based distillery’s Expresiones collections. “My favorite tequila to make cocktails with is Suerte Blanco, for good reason. £24.89, Master of Malt. Espolòn Tequila Blanco. Are you really having a good night if the first thing you did when you walked into the bar wasn’t order a round of tequila shots? First off, you'll probably notice a running theme here: almost all of the tequilas … If you’re wincing at the thought, however, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the higher-quality tequilas have no burn at all, and are made for sipping, not gulping. £49.95. The delectable sipping tequila is made from 100% 12-year-old Blue Weber agave and aged in bourbon casks for at least 18 months, sometimes longer. If you’re looking for a tequila that’s a work of art as well as a great tipple, Satryna is a great choice. £125. Patron Silver Tequila. This makes it ideal for both sipping neat and for use in cocktails, as those delightful flavours still burst through even when mixed with juice. From £62.50. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Ditch the salt and lime. From Bohemian get-togethers to party nights, we’ll help you get your tequila choice sussed. This is a great tequila to enjoy on its own but it also made a deliciously rich margarita. Matured in French oak barrels from Cognac and American oak barrels from California, there’s a lot going on here. Best for: Clean agave taste. Best for Margaritas: Herradura Blanco Buy on Drizly Buy on Wine.com If you're looking to make cocktails on a budget, Herradura Blanco is a great pick. Fear not, because we’ve rounded up some of the best on the market right now that will turn you into a tequila convert after the very first sip. So if you want something that packs a bit more punch, we suggest choosing an añejo tequila instead. … Add a dash of tonic and you’ll forget that G&Ts ever existed. This medium-bodied tequila is aged for … There’s also a range of great tequila-based cocktails, notably the Margarita, Matador and Tequila Sunrise. Some people think the only way to drink this is straight up, but we think it mixes well too. A great tequila for those who like the intense agave flavour at the fore, it's silky smooth, with citrus, almond and pepper flavours. Its coffee tequila in particular is unlike anything you’ll have ever tried before and is practically begging to be experimented with by a mixologist. Don Julio … The type of tequila you use is just as important, whether it's blanco, reposado, or anejo. You simply need to know what to drink and how to drink it. It's also just one of five in the Storywood range and not the only one to win an award. Overall it's definitely one of the best tequilas for margaritas. Take a trip to Mexico with GQ’s guide to the best tequilas on the market right now. This little number from Código 1530 gets its pink hue after spending a month in barrels that once held Napa Cabernet wine and is made all the more delicious for it. But while tequila may have earned itself a slightly messy reputation and there are those who groan with hungover regret at the mere mention of it, there is a way to properly enjoy the spirit, just as you would with whisky, rum or gin. First tip? If you’re looking for a crystal-clear spirit that retains the authentic flavours of agave, you’d be hard pressed to find one much better than this. $47.02. Drink it neat, ice cold, and you’ll be treated to a smooth caramel flavour that is as easy to sip as your favourite tequila cocktail. This stays in the barrels for longer – generally between one and three years – and the barrels themselves are smaller which adds to the flavour. Best tequila for a gift: Patron Silver Tequila Patron is one of the most popular tequila brands. Based on 129,851 Influenster Reviews. Villa One Villa One Tequila reservebar.com $2,012.00 BUY NOW. With this one, the agave comes from a different field or rancho each year, which means that (rather like wine) you get a slight variation in the aroma and taste with each batch (although unlike with wine, it’s the different terrain, not the different year, influencing the characteristic flavour).