Tequila hasn’t claimed the crown of best-selling spirit in America just yet — only vodka now stands in its way on that front — but Mexico’s famous agave distillate has firmly established itself as a staple of stateside drinking culture.
The category benefits from arriving in a range of styles, from earthy and spiced blancos to subtly aged reposados and luxurious añejos. Those different guises provide versatility: Tequila stars in a variety of cocktails, most notably the Margarita, and proves just as adept for sipping occasions.
As interest in tequila spikes, conversations surrounding production techniques and ingredients are also gaining importance. Bottles made with additives and/or using corner-cutting equipment simply don’t cut it among modern-day bartenders and agave aficionados.
In this ranking of the best of the best in the category, you won’t encounter blancos that taste like birthday cake or expressions stripped of all agave character because of diffusers. Instead, you’ll find bottles for every budget that highlight the impressive depth of styles and technique the category has to offer.
The Best Tequilas Under $100
For a quintessential example of highland tequila, turn to this bottle. Among its dazzling array of aromas are green peppers, wet rocks, and hints of underripe tropical fruit. It’s similarly intense on the palate, and has the sensation of drinking a spirit much higher in alcohol— and that’s meant as a compliment, highlighting its concentration, energy, and lengthy finish. (Like most tequilas, it’s bottled at 40 percent ABV.)
Average price: $50Rating: 94
Cambio’s blanco immediately stands out for a number of reasons, the first being its pale gold hue — the result of a brief aging period in French oak barrels. Another is its alcohol content: Bottled at 46 percent ABV, it packs a bigger flavor punch than so many other bottles on the market, capturing the pure essence of wild flowers, tropical fruits, and savory spices.
Average price: $50Rating: 95
This tequila is further evidence that spending around $50 unlocks some of the highest-quality expressions in the blanco category. It’s also another shining example of the complex, savory delights of highland agave, with prominent notes of pepper and green olives running throughout. We’re big fans of the brand’s reposado and Blanco de Madera releases, too.
Average price: $50Rating: 94
This blanco smells of dill pickles and brined cactus, and carries subtle hints of green olives, white flowers, lime zest, and fresh mint. The palate is energetic and bright, and somehow lands both balanced but remarkably pepper-spiced. There’s a reason agave aficionados love this tequila, and while it’s on the pricier side for cocktails, it absolutely sings in Margaritas and Palomas.
Average price: $50Rating: 96
Cross the door of any cocktail bar that cares about its agave spirits program and you will almost certainly encounter this peppery blanco tequila. Its aromas arrive in the form of textbook green bell pepper agave spice, while subtle fruit sweetness makes an appearance on the palate. While drinking neat reveals the true extent of its depth, mixing will take any tequila cocktail to the next level.
Average price: $54Rating: 95
Produced at the same distillery as G4, Volans is certified additive-free and another high-quality, traditionally made tequila. Not quite as green or savory as some other highland expressions, its aromatic profile leans fruity and floral, and also features a lovely whiff of mint. The palate, however, is all about peppery olive tapenade. Mexican Martini, anyone?
Average price: $55Rating: 94
Another expression that arrives completely free of additives, Volcan de Mi Tierra Blanco oozes pure agave character. From its peppery, honeyed, and spiced nose to its silky, fruity palate, this is everything we want from a blanco — especially one that’s so widely available.
Average price: $55Rating: 94
Aromatic and intense — these are some of the first words that come to mind when one is presented a glass of this fine blanco. Produced using traditional small-batch methods and made with nothing other than yeast, water, and agave, this fruity, peppery, and slightly sweet blanco is one of the most expressive tequilas we tasted for this roundup — which more than justifies its elevated price point.
Average price: $70Rating: 94
This blanco is bottled at a distillation proof 55 percent ABV. The higher-than-average alcohol content brings extra focus to its aromas and added bite to its spice. Though slightly pricey, the extra proof helps reimagine all the classic tequila cocktails we know and love.
Average price: $78Rating: 93
The Best Tequilas Under $50
This blanco takes the allowed but less common approach of spending three weeks in used French oak barrels prior to bottling. While the tequila’s aromas are fairly austere, the process has a marked influence on the palate, adding depth and character that aren’t usually found at this price point. This is a bargain buy right here.
Average price: $24Rating: 90
When the occasion calls for batched Margaritas, whether fresh or frozen, Olmeca Altos Plata serves a standout option. Cooked agave forms the core of its profile, while sweet tropical fruit and baking spices add extra layers of flavor. A jalapeño kick on the finish promises to pair perfectly with a chili-spiced salted rim.
Average price: $30Rating: 92
Most notable for being the tequila of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Teremana eschews the celebrity norm with a very pure expression of agave, and nothing in the way of added sweet flavors. Saline notes mix with wet rocks on the palate, wrapped around an enticing agave core.
Average price: $30Rating: 92
With a name that roughly means “open eyes,” this blanco delivers great value for money, holding its own in cocktails but also presenting the opportunity to sip neat, over ice, and/or with lime. It delivers rich intensity and weighty texture, while its profile leans toward round and fruity versus savory and vegetal-spiced.
Average price: $35Rating: 92
El Nacimiento’s reposado arrives with a slightly dusty and muted nose, but opens up wonderfully on the palate. It’s an all-green, herbaceous affair there, with bursts of fresh mint and peas offsetting the oak and agave notes.
Average price: $38Rating: 92
This reposado is likely priced a little too high for it to be used as a well spirit at bars, but it should absolutely be your go-to for cocktails at home. It strikes the perfect balance between savory agave complexity and subtle oak sweetness, making it an ideal option for drinks such as the Oaxaca Old Fashioned or El Diablo. It’s also certified additive-free and produced at the same distillery as renowned brand El Tesoro.
Average price: $41Rating: 93
The bronco that adorns this tequila’s label is meant to symbolize a soul that cannot be tamed, according to the brand, and the liquid inside the bottle is certainly far from easygoing, mild, or bland. Instead, each sip is punchy, with pronounced notes of black olives and pepper alongside hints of soy sauce. This might not be the bottle that will get someone into tequila for the first time, but those already versed in the spirit will love it.
Average price: $45Rating: 93
Lime zest meets creamy agave to kick off the nose on this wonderfully expressive blanco. Saline notes and a hint of white flowers lie underneath, with peppery spice and anise entering the fray on the palate. This is a great-value sipping blanco that also shines in cocktails.
Average price: $45Rating: 93
This Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar offering is another celeb-backed tequila you can get behind. It’s intensely aromatic, kicking off with notes of honey, candied lemon, and cloves, along with classic agave aromas. The palate is similarly concentrated, and introduces pleasing, complex, savory notes to the mix. Hats off to the Mayor of Flavortown for this one.
Average price: $45Rating: 92
Founded by — and named after — the grandson of Don Julio González, Lalo exhibits a remarkably pure agave character. Underripe mango and orange blossom aromas season an otherwise vegetal nose, while the palate is zesty and refreshing. Sip or mix this one.
Average price: $46Rating: 94
Arriving with an attractive and evocative bottle label, the agave for El Pintor is roasted in traditional brick ovens, ground using a tahona and mechanical mill, and fermented in open-top vats. With an agave-forward nose, this blanco serves heaps of savory spices, and fresh green mango and apple notes. Bottled at 42 percent ABV, this attractive profile promises to persist in cocktails.
Average price: $48Rating: 92
Made using agave grown in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, this blanco offers a precise balance of tropical fruit and earthy, peppery notes. Most notable is its concentration of flavor, which delivers notes of wet rocks and green olives in high definition. All these details make this option ideal for cocktail creation.
Average price: $48Rating: 94
El Tesoro Blanco is one of a small handful of bottles at the $50-ish price range that shows the impossible allure of pure, unadulterated, unaged tequila. It has a graceful, delicate character, but suffers no lack of depth or nuance. Pineapple husk and bell pepper aromas stand out on the nose, with a streak of enchanting sweetness. The palate springs to life with spiced and floral notes, transitions to underripe tropical fruit, and finishes with a spray of green olives.
Average price: $49Rating: 96
Another textbook expression of blanco tequila, Pasote leads with sweet, cooked agave aromas. It follows with herbaceous depth, and finishes with vibrant notes of orange peel and pith. Combined with its rich mouthfeel, that citrusy finish makes it an ideal candidate for Palomas or tequila-based Negronis.
Average price: $49Rating: 94
The 3 BEST Tequila Brands You Need to be Drinking
FAQ
What kind of tequila is smoothest?
What is the smoothest tequila for shots?
What Tequila is best for a cocktail?
For a 100 percent agave tequila that works particularly well in cocktails, go for our top pick: El Jimador Silver. If you’re looking to rip shots, your best bet is Agavales Blanco. There are five types of tequila: blanco, joven, reposado, añejo and extra añejo.
What is Top-Shelf Tequila?
Simply put, top-shelf tequila refers to premium quality tequila made using only the finest ingredients and traditional methods. These tequilas generally age longer, resulting in a smoother and more complex flavor profile. The key difference between top-shelf and other types of tequila is the quality of the agave plant used to make it.
Are bottom shelf tequila bottles good quality?
While you may think bottom shelf tequilas are sharply alcoholic, poor quality bottles, there are plenty of great tequila options that offer careful craftsmanship for a less costly price tag. So we qualify these bottom-shelf tequilas as bottles that offer a lot of value for an affordable price tag.
Which tequila should I buy?
If you’re new to the world of premium tequila, we recommend starting with a Blanco tequila. These tequilas are typically the smoothest and cleanest, making them the perfect introduction to the world of top-shelf tequila. But if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try an añejo tequila?