is sauza better than cuervo

Tequila: You either love it or you hate it. In recent years, celebrities, artists, and college students everywhere have contributed to giving tequila the “party drink rep.” While many may need the liquid courage from a tequila shot to introduce themselves to someone at the bar or let loose on the dance floor, its really not only a party drink.

Today, some of the best tequilas in the world are sipped and enjoyed slowly like a smooth glass of bourbon or a glass of aged fine wine. Many tequila brands will probably not be found in your local pub or dive bar, but rather sold exclusively at retailers or online. The key to finding the perfect tequila is doing your research or a personal taste test to see which one turns your mouth into a sour pout, which brands give you a 36-hour hangover, and which ones leave you feeling like a million bucks after a night out.

Thankfully for you, were breaking down store-bought tequila brands and ranking them from worst to best. With factors like availability, quality, and cost kept in mind, lets help you find the perfect bottle for your taste preference and budget.

Jose Cuervo may describe itself as “the number one tequila in the world,” but it will probably give you the number one hangover in the world, too. Whether you are a tequila drinker or not, you have likely heard of Jose Cuervo.

Jose Cuervo has an extensive product selection, including a recent seltzer addition, Playamar, made with real Cuervo tequila. This brand has a large selection, so we give them kudos in this department; however, the reason they are so far down on the list is due precisely to Jose Cuervo Especial. If you have ever drunk tequila in a frat basement, this bottle was likely on the table. You may be thinking, what separates this tequila from the others? This bottle is a “mixto tequila,” so it is not 100% blue agave. Jose Cuervo Especial is only 51% blue agave, which is why you could have awful hangovers after consuming it.

Next on our list is Sauza. This tequila brand has been around since 1873, so it has a reputation amongst tequila drinkers. Sauza is also a mixto tequila like Jose Cuervo, so we suggest adding this to a margarita or mixed drink, not sipping it straight. Since mixto tequilas are not 100% agave, taking shots of Sauza all night is going to leave you with a nasty hangover — trust us on this one. Sauza is not a tequila you should even consider sipping or having on the rocks; its a better fit for a late-night mixed drink at your local dive bar.

Sauza has a much smaller product range than Jose Cuervo: Only three different tequila offerings and one ready to serve margarita bottle. There is a bit of an aftertaste, which is not out of the ordinary when it comes to tequila — or cheap ones, for that matter. The aroma is powerful, so dont go sniffing your next Sauza shot before taking it. You have been warned.

Get out your Costco card because the Kirkland Silver Tequila is next on our list of store-bought tequila brands. With so many superior Kirkland signature products, it is a surprise how low the Silver Tequila landed on our list. Kirkland has three tequila varieties: Reposado, Añejo, and Silver. The first two are popular among Costco customers, but the Silver does not even come close in comparison.

When you take a sip of Kirkland Silver, you taste the alcohol and nothing else. It would be nearly impossible if you were at a tequila tasting and asked to name the different flavors in this bottle. This tequila is robust and not in a good way — dont even think about taking shots or sipping this silver tequila. It is only tolerable mixed in a drink with a significant amount of other liquid to mask the taste of the alcohol (we suggest whipping up a spicy margarita). If you are looking for a great-tasting silver tequila, search elsewhere. If Costco is your primary grocery store of choice, check out the Reposado or Añejo for a better tequila experience. Trust us, there are way better silver tequilas on the market — do not settle for Kirklands.

Coming in at number 22 on our list is El Jimador. Like the bottles previously mentioned, El Jimador will not break your wallet. This tequila is crafted with hand-harvested Weber blue agave, so it can be more easily sipped and wont immediately make you feel a head rush.

The reviews for this brand are more conflicted than those for any other tequila on our list. One Influenster review went as far as to say, El Jimador is “better than Patron.” While we do not agree with this wholeheartedly, we admit its better than some of the other tequilas we reviewed. Compared to the other bottles previously named, we would take a shot of El Jimador, but if you are looking for more premium tequilas to toss back, keep reading for further recommendations. If you want a solid mixed drink at home that wont cost you a ton of money, pick up El Jimador the next time you hit the grocery store.

Introducing Hornitos, Sauzas slightly higher-shelved sibling. Hornitos revolutionized the agave cooking process, which is how it got its name, which means “little ovens” in Spanish. The brand stands behind the tagline, “a shot worth taking.” While we cant confidently promote that this is a shot worth taking, we can confirm its not awful for the price. Its your standard mid-shelf bottle that you wont be embarrassed to show up to a party with, but you wont be overspending on either.

As you may have learned from our previous rankings, the label “100% agave” is what separates the good from the bad in tequila terms. While we recognize this label identifies the breakdown of ingredients, we want to acknowledge, although this tequila is 100% agave, it is not at the top of our list for a reason. In the end, we would say this brand is just alright.

“Two world renowned bartenders walk into a distillery,” and number 20 on our list, Olmeca Altos Tequila, is born. Described by the company website as well known in the bartending industry and frequent winners of cocktail competitions, Henry Besant and Dre Masso visited Los Altos, Mexico, and ultimately partnered with Maestro Tequilero Jesús Hernandez. The trio created a smooth, high-quality tequila that passes our shot test and compliments any cocktail mix.

For the price of this bottle, you are getting 100% blue agave, decent-tasting tequila. It was created for bartenders to provide premium tequila for cocktails, and they have delivered on that goal and more. Its smoother than the tequilas we have ranked so far, so it can be sipped, taken as a shot, or added to a margarita. Its a high-quality product on its own, and if you are looking for a bottle within budget, but slightly higher quality and taste, you can choose Omeca Altos.

If you keep up with the Kardashians, you have undoubtedly heard of 818 Tequila. Kendall Jenners brand 818 was extremely popular due to its association with the celebrity, forcing sell-outs and store re-stocks. The brand got its name from Jenners home area code, but the company shares, “The area code 818 is home to me, but the earth is home to all of us.” The brand mentions it feels a great sense of responsibility to the community and the environment, sharing sustainability commitments on the website.

Now, lets get to the critical part: the taste of 818. This bottle is on the more expensive end compared to tequilas we have rated thus far, and it doesnt have the taste to match the price tag. We believe you can find better-tasting bottles for probably $15 less. 818 is smooth, well give it that; however, its sweet and does not have a pleasant aftertaste. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, choose one of the brands coming later in the article.

1800 has been around for over 200 years and has yet to change the original formula or distillation process. The brands tagline is “just refined enough,” and we agree — 1800 produces a 100% agave, quality tequila batch after batch. This tequila is an ultra-smooth option perfect for sipping, but not too expensive to add to your favorite margarita or cocktail. We discovered that 1800 sits under the same corporate umbrella as Jose Cuervo. Dont let this scare you based on our not-so-friendly review of Jose, as 1800 is much higher on our list for a good reason.

If you are looking for a consistently good-tasting tequila to keep on the bar cart, 1800 is your bottle. We approve of sipping, taking shots, and mixing 1800 in your cocktails. 1800 is not higher on our list because others are better in quality.

Next on our list is Casamigos, another celebrity-backed tequila brand. Casamigos was founded by longtime friends George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. This crew set out to create tequila and mezcal that did not need to be masked by salt and limes. After years of being tequila lovers, followed by years of perfecting the recipe with a master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico, Casamigos was born.

This brand is perfect for when you want to feel a little classier with minimal effort — and without a hefty price tag. Thankfully for you, if you like sweeter tequila, this is nothing like the sweetness from 818, in the best way. It is on the sweeter side, but with Casamigos, we can guarantee a smooth tequila every single time.

When it comes to sheer versatility, its very hard to beat 1800 Tequila, a brand that makes the fact that its “just refined enough” a point of pride on its website. This is actually a pretty accurate description of 1800. This tequila is good enough to employ as a sipping tequila, cheap enough to use in cocktails without worry, and smooth enough to soothe the stricken palate of a wary tequila drinker whose opinion of the spirit has been scarred by too much Jose Cuervo. Knowing this, its perhaps surprising to discover that 1800 falls under the same corporate umbrella as Jose Cuervo (per 31 Whiskey). Yes, we realize this technically breaches our Especial-induced grudge on Jose Cuervo products, but we just cant stay mad at 1800. After all, it is just refined enough.

So, what can you get for that comparative bargain price? Espolòns surprisingly complex Blanco and fuller Reposado are both 100% agave, and though somewhat spicier and rougher around the edges than some high-end fare, they carry a signature punch that works very well in mixed drinks — something the brands Facebook page takes full advantage of, as it bombards you with inventive and nigh-invariably delicious Espolòn-themed mixology, Paste Magazine reports. The brand has a measure of smoothness, but for those who prefer their tequila with some character, Espolòn Reposado in particular will give more bang for your buck than anything else on this list.

The all-agave Hornitos is, in many ways, the quintessential mid-list tequila. When Delish listed Hornitos Plata among the best tequila brands, the reasoning was, essentially, that its nice for its price. Complex has given it three points out of five, noting that “all things considered it goes down well.” As for the Reposado, Spirits Review has given it an incredibly middling review that uses the adjective “tired” more than once, yet the publication doesnt truly lambast the drink.

Tequila can be a divisive drink, and considering the whole “100% agave” thing acts as a clear border between the bad and the good, its easy to forget that some tequilas are simply alright. Cue Sauzas mid-shelf brand, Hornitos.

If youre even vaguely familiar with the concept of tequila, chances are you know Jose Cuervo. Per The Spirits Business, the 250-year-old brand is the worlds best-selling tequila by a pretty comfortable margin. As befits its stature, the brand also has a sizable array of products out there, so, in all fairness, if you want a nice Jose Cuervo, you do have options. Apart from the higher-end stuff, VinePair points out that the silver Jose Cuervo Tradicional Plata is a pretty solid budget mixing tequila. So, what does this super-famous brand do so low on this list? You can thank Jose Cuervo Especial for that.

1 Tears of Llorona

The myth of La Llorona tells the story of a woman who lost her children and roamed the streets of Mexico, crying for them. Master Distiller Germán González Gorrochotegui, who heard this story countless times as a kid, decided to name his tequila after it. González Gorrochotegui is involved in every part of the tequila-making process, from walking along agave fields to final distillation techniques.

Tears of Llorona hit the U.S. markets in 2014, and the bottles are made with 100% tequilana Weber agave from the Jalisco Highlands. The agave is cooked for 20 hours, and the fermented juice is distilled twice in copper pot stills, and aged for five years in three types of oak barrels: Scotch, brandy, and sherry oak. The aging process is two years longer than the average for an añejo tequila, which makes Tears of Llorona a rich, complex extra añejo. It has aromas of caramel custard, dark chocolate, and dried fruit, plus notes of agave and spice on the palate. It is best when enjoyed neat and pairs amazingly well with red meat, cigars, and chocolate cake.

Tears of Lloronas excellent quality make it a top contender in our list, but there are two catches: As a small-batch tequila, it can be hard to find, and you will pay a pretty penny for it.

Pénjamo, Guanajuato, is home to Hacienda Corralejo, the production site of one of the most popular tequila brands in Mexico — as well as premium tequila Los Arangos. If you are in the Pérjamo area, you can book a tour of the Hacienda, admire its 18th-century architecture, and explore the tequila-making process.

Corralejo produces a wide arrange of products, including rum and manchego cheese. But, of course, the brands tequilas, with their iconic, long bottles, are what has made them so famous and popular, both in Mexico and abroad. In fact, Corralejo is one of the easiest brands to find in stores and online. Add that to its affordable prices and consistent quality, and you have a trusty tequila pal for any occasion.

Tequila Corralejo Blanco is the brands silver tequila, made with 100% agave. It boasts aromas of raw agave, herbs, and citrus, as well as cooked agave on the palate. For a sweeter taste, try Corralejo Reposado, aged in American oak barrels. This liquid also offers notes of agave, herbs, and citrus, as well as flavors of wood and vanilla. Corralejo also makes a unique digestif: the Quita Penas tequila cream. This smooth, silky liquid has notes of cooked agave and sweetness that persists throughout the tasting experience.

Born in 1870 in Amatitán, Jalisco, Herradura is one of Mexicos best-known and most beloved tequila houses. The brand began by producing what was once called “vino mezcal,” eventually recognized as tequila. In 1974, Herradura produced the worlds first reposado tequila, an innovation that transformed the industry. Herraduras portfolio boasts eight expressions that run the gamut from a light, cocktail-friendly Silver to an ultra-premium Herradura Legend.

Ideal for a classic margarita, Herradura Silver is aged for 45 days in American white oak barrels and offers aromas of cooked agave and vanilla and a fresh, sweet flavor. Bottles of Herradura Silver start at around $40, making it perfect for a cocktail party. For añejo lovers, Herradura Añejo is a smooth, delicately sweet option, boasting notes of cooked agave, vanilla, and fruit that make it perfect for enjoying neat after resting for 13 months in American white oak barrels.

If you are a true tequila aficionado, look no further than the brands premium expressions. With aromas of vanilla, caramel, fruit, chocolate, and spice, plus tasting notes of toasted oak, caramel, and cinnamon, Herradura 150 Aniversario is a limited-production tequila, created to honor the houses 150th birthday. Aged for 100 months, it is meant to be served and sipped slowly, and you will pay around $499 for this beauty. Herraduras high quality and versatility place it higher on our list.

The first thing that might catch your attention about Loco is its name — loco means “crazy” in Spanish. Legend has it that founder and CEO Arturo Morán was often called as much by his peers, who advised him against launching a premium tequila in such a complicated, competitive market. Yet Morán followed his instinct and forged ahead, creating what hes dubbed “the first terroir tequila.” Loco hails from the valley of El Arenal, Jalisco, and starts with a unique double-shaving process to eliminate any bitter components from the agave. After cooking the plants, the resulting mix is slowly distilled in copper stills, focusing on obtaining the purest part of the liquid: the heart.

Loco produces three expressions. Loco Blanco is a smooth silver tequila with aromas of cooked agave and citrus, as well as sweet, mineral notes on the palate. Its aged counterpart is Loco Ámbar, a reposado tequila that rests in French white oak barrels, Irish whiskey barrels, Port barrels, and Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels. This leads to a spicy, fruity liquid, with notes of dried fruit and toasted grain. Its lovely amber color gives it its name.

Lastly, Loco Puro Corazón is the houses crown jewel, the result of a careful selection process where only the finest tequila goes into the bottle. Puro Corazón boasts aromas of fresh herbs and eucalyptus, as well as sweet and subtle mineral flavors. While Loco is on the pricier side, the drink is well worth the investment — and so is the stunning Jan Hendrix-designed bottle.

STOP Drinking Jose Cuervo Tequila! Drink These Other Brands Instead!

FAQ

Is Sauza tequila real tequila?

Is Jose Cuervo top shelf tequila?

What is the rating of Sauza Tequila?

Does Sauza Tequila taste like Jose Cuervo?

Sauza has a much smaller product range than Jose Cuervo: Only three different tequila offerings and one ready to serve margarita bottle. There is a bit of an aftertaste, which is not out of the ordinary when it comes to tequila — or cheap ones, for that matter. The aroma is powerful, so don’t go sniffing your next Sauza shot before taking it.

Is Sauza a tequila?

Sauza is not a tequila you should even consider sipping or having on the rocks; it’s a better fit for a late-night mixed drink at your local dive bar. Sauza has a much smaller product range than Jose Cuervo: Only three different tequila offerings and one ready to serve margarita bottle.

Did Don Francisco Sauza marry Cuervo?

Sauza and Cuervo had some Shakespearean drama. Don Francisco Sauza was briefly disowned for marrying a distant Cuervo relative in what’s basically the “Romeo and Juliet” story of Mexican tequila. He managed to inch his way back into the family business before abruptly selling it in 1976. The Sauza family’s legacy lives on… in more tequila brands.

Can you drink Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila?

You can thank Jose Cuervo Especial for that. There’s a pretty good reason you shouldn’t drink Jose Cuervo Especial, the king of all “mixto” tequilas (per The Daily Meal ). Mixtos are, essentially, all the cheapo tequilas that don’t explicitly mention that they contain 100% agave.