The Best Tequilas to Enjoy This Year
Tequila is the epitome of a party drink and is loved by many all around the world. The sweet, bold taste of tequila is often best enjoyed with a few limes and some salt. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a friend or simply want to pick up a new bottle for your own collection, there are tons of great tequila options out there. To make your search easier, here is a list of the best tequilas that you should be looking for this year.
Understanding Tequila
Tequila is a spirit made from the Blue Agave plant through a distillation process. It is typically made up of two main categories: Blanco and Añejo. Blanco tequila is also called silver or white and is typically bottled without aging or is aged for only a few months. This is a clear tequila and has a much stronger and bolder taste than the Añejo variant. Añejo tequila, also known as aged or extra aged tequila, is aged 1-3 years in oak barrels, giving it a much smoother taste with a hint of oak.
Types of Tequila
If you want to buy tequila, then you’ll be faced with three basic types of tequila: blanco, reposado, and añejo. Each type of tequila has its own unique characteristics, so let’s quickly break them down.
Blanco Tequila – This type of tequila is also sometimes known as silver, plata, white, or platinum. The distillation process of this tequila is fast and straightforward, and no aging takes place. It has a sweet, intense flavor and a clean, crisp finish.
Reposado Tequila – This type of tequila is rested for a minimum period of two months in oak barrels. It has a light, smooth flavor and is perfect for any cocktail.
Añejo Tequila – This type of tequila is aged for at least one year in oak barrels. It has a rich, smoky flavor and is perfect for any high-end cocktail.
Best Blanco Tequilas
If you’re looking for a great blanco tequila, then you can’t go wrong with the following options.
• Casamigos Blanco – This tequila has a smooth and mellow flavor with hints of grapefruit and agave.
• Patrón Silver – This tequila is handcrafted from the finest Weber Blue Agave with a full-bodied flavor of agave and black pepper.
• El Tesoro Platinum – This tequila is made from the first pressing of roasted agave hearts and has a smooth, light flavor.
• Don Julio Blanco – This tequila has a smooth, balanced taste with hints of cooked agave and tropical fruit flavors.
• Sauza Blue Silver – This tequila is made from 100% hand-selected agave with a smoky taste and a sweet finish.
Best Reposado Tequilas
If you’re looking for a great reposado tequila, then you can’t go wrong with the following options.
• Patrón Reposado – This tequila is aged for a minimum of two months in small, white oak barrels and has a warm, oak flavor.
• Casamigos Reposado – This tequila is aged for seven months in American and French oak barrels, giving it a smooth, balanced flavor.
• Don Julio Reposado – This tequila is aged for at least eight months in hand-selected oak barrels and has a rich, smooth taste.
• El Jimador Reposado – This tequila is aged in carefully selected white oak barrels for up to eight months and has a smooth, gentle flavor.
• Avión Reposado – This tequila is made from the best hand-selected agave plants and is aged for six months in American oak barrels.
Best Añejo Tequilas
If you’re looking for a great Añejo tequila, then you can’t go wrong with the following options.
• El Tesoro Añejo – This tequila is aged for at least two and a half years in French and American oak, giving it a smooth, sweet flavor.
• Don Julio Añejo – This tequila is aged in white oak barrels for at least 18 months and has a smooth, rich flavor.
• Avión Añejo – This tequila is made from carefully selected agave plants and is aged for at least 18 months in oak barrels.
• Casamigos Añejo – This tequila is aged for 14 months in American and French oak and has a sweet, smoky taste.
• Patrón Añejo – This tequila is handcrafted with high-quality agave and is aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels.
What to Consider When Choosing Tequila
When choosing tequila, there are three main factors to keep in mind: flavor, price, and alcohol content. If you’re looking for a smooth, bold flavor, then you may want to try blanco tequila or añejo tequila. If you’re looking for something a bit more robust, then you may want to try reposado tequila.
When it comes to price, you may want to consider how often you’ll be drinking it and what type of tequila you’re looking for. For example, blanco tequilas tend to be more affordable than añejo tequilas. However, if you’re looking for something special for a party or a gift, then you may want to splurge and buy a high-end añejo tequila.
Finally, you may want to consider the alcohol content of the tequila you’re buying. Generally, tequilas range from 35-50% ABV. The higher the ABV, the stronger and bolder the tequila will taste.
No matter what type of tequila you’re looking for, there are tons of great options out there. Keep an eye out for the tequilas listed in this article and you’re sure to find something perfect for you. Cheers!
