Tequila, the signature spirit of Jalisco, Mexico, is on everyone’s lips—literally. It’s set to become the top spirits category in the U.S. before the end of the year, according to the 2023 Growth Brands Awards.
“Tequila is one of the fastest-growing spirits globally, and experts expect this growth to continue into the next decade,” says Lander Otegui, senior vice president of marketing at Proximo Spirits, maker of Jose Cuervo. “In fact, according to IWSR, tequila recently surpassed whiskey to become the second most valuable spirit in the United States and is set to overtake vodka by the end of 2023.”
This is aided, of course, by our aggressive margarita consumption and the slew of big-name brands that are launching on an almost biweekly basis. (Earlier this year, The Rock celebrated one million cases sold of his tequila brand Teremana.)
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The truth is, sipping good tequila is actually delicious, and there’s more top-shelf stuff to choose from than ever before. Our top picks for 2023 Men's Magazine Spirits Awards, El Tequileño Reposado Rare offers the perfect middle ground between the best añejo and reposado tequilas on the market.
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The Best Tequila Drinks at a Glance
- Best Sipping Tequila Overall: El Tequileño Reposado Rare
- Best Blanco Sipping Tequila: Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas
- Best Tequila Sipping Reposado: Quintaliza Reposado
- Best Añejo Sipping Tequila: Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva
- Best Celebrity Tequila Drinker: Flecha Azul Blanco
- Best Rosa Tequila: Celosa Rose
- Best Single Barrel Sipping Tequila: El Tesoro Single Barrel Reposado
- Best Craft Tequila Sipping: Lagrimas de Valle 2022 Palo Verde Plata
- Best Delicate Sip Tequila: Casa Noble Blanco
- Best Complex Sipping Tequila: Fortaleza Tequila Reposado
- Best Refreshing Sipping Tequila: Calirosa Reposado
- Best Sherry-Aged Sipping Tequila: Lobos 1707 Añejo
- The Most Impressive Sipping Tequila: Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Aromas Anejo
Best Drinkable Tequila of 2024
Best Overall Tequila Sipping: El Tequileño Reposado Rare
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The truly legendary producer of Tequila Town produces a reposado unlike any other. The distillery uses a massive, 25,000-liter American oak barrel known as a pipón to mature this 80-proof elixir.
It sleeps in the container for about six years, developing a range of nutty wildflower honey and caramelized orchard fruit tones along the way. The finish is nimble with nectarine and candied citrus. Overall, El Tequileño Reposado Rare offers the richness of an añejo but with the solid agave foundation of a gently rested reposado.
Best Blanco Sipping Tequila: Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas
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If the name of this tequila surprises you, that’s okay. Puntas is not a type. It refers to the point in the distillation process where the drink is located; right between the head and the heart. This highly alcoholic version of Tequila Ocho Plata (50.5% ABV) is full of ripe agave flavors, along with tropical fruits, caramel, and roasted vanilla beans.
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Best Tequila Sipping Reposado: Quintaliza Reposado
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This carefully crafted reposado undergoes a secondary maturation process in ex-coffee barrels. The unique aging process results in a roasted, chocolatey nose that, as you might expect, is a delightful, vegetal essence that lingers in every sip. Despite its unusual barrel work, this is a liquid distilled by a staunch traditionalist: fourth-generation maestra tequilera Iliana Partida. Her deep knowledge and expertise are evident in every sip of this incredibly complex 80-proof brew.
Best Añejo Sipping Tequila: Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva
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We were eagerly awaiting a special release like the Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva, another standout from the legendary brand. The Añejo was matured for 18 months in American oak, French oak, acacia wood and cherrywood barrels. This resulted in a slightly spicy tequila with notes of cinnamon, chocolate, oak, vanilla and dried fruit.
Best Celebrity Tequila Drinker: Flecha Azul Blanco
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In a world increasingly dominated by white label owners, Flecha Azul stands out from the crowd. Founded by professional golfers Abraham Ancer and Aron Marquez, Flecha Azul Tequila has been family-owned, operated and produced for generations. They have been making tequila since 1840, starting with Flecha Azul Blanco, which is crisp, refreshing and bright, leaning on the sweetness of agave.
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Best Rosa Tequila: Celosa Rose
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Rosa tequila is a popular new subcategory of the drink. These pink-tinged liqueurs are matured in red wine barrels. The Celosa Rosa, which just hit American shelves, is arguably the most gorgeous example yet. Ultra-premium agave from the Jalisco Highlands is distilled and matured in French oak red wine barrels from the Napa Valley. This one has a rich cherry top note. But what’s even more magical is the tequila’s velvety texture, which goes down effortlessly when poured smoothly.
Best Single Barrel Sipping Tequila: El Tesoro Single Barrel Reposado
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El Tesoro master distiller Carlos Camarena holds many titles and distinctions. He is a fifth-generation tequila producer, a third-generation master distiller, and also the CEO of El Tesoro. His liquid is incredible, and perhaps none more so than the Single Barrel Reposado. Camarena selects a few select reposado tequila barrels that stand out from the rest, meaning they are both unique and exceptional.
Offering minerality and green nuances on its own, El Tesoro Single Barrel Reposado is matured in ex-bourbon barrels for nine to 11 months before it hits your shelf. It’s perfectly balanced and should be consumed neat—and with respect.
Best Craft Tequila Sipping: Lagrimas de Valle Plata
Lagrimas del Valle is an artisanal brand that cares about the territory of tequila. Its expressions celebrate the distinct tones of a single agave farm. In fact, each release is a vintage harvested from a specific plant. area of the plant.
This particular Lagrimas de Valle Plata sings with soul, with a real sense of place. Mineral heavy, slate, clay and a metallic zing rising at the sides of the mouth. Then, suddenly, a touch of tropical fruit flexes its muscles. All in one unforgettable sip.
Best Delicate Sip Tequila: Casa Noble Blanco
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Casa Noble has recently undergone a rebranding that features elegant bottles that sit beautifully on any top shelf. But don’t worry, the liquid inside is as elegant as ever. Certified organic blue agave harvested from the fertile soils of Jalisco is responsible for the botanical foundation of the standout Casa Noble Blanco. The liquid also benefits from triple distillation, which adds a soft, creamy mouthfeel and citrus zest to its pleasant finish.
Best Complex Sipping Tequila: Fortaleza Tequila Reposado
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Of course, you’ll pay a premium for this rich and powerful Fortaleza Tequila Reposado. In return, you’ll get the most complex sipping tequila you’ll likely ever encounter. The aromatics are blessed with caramel-coated apples, burning sage, and everything in between.
The actual tasting experience is equally captivating. The reposado category includes familiar flavors like vanilla and cinnamon, but this unique adult beverage is also joined by orchard fruit, hazelnuts and popcorn. It appeals to the most seasoned agave enthusiasts, and is still perfect for anyone who claims that tequila is not for them.
Best Refreshing Sipping Tequila: Calirosa Reposado
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This Adam Levine-backed brand is more than just a pretty face. Yes, Calirosa Reposado looks great in the glass, its grapefruit hue bright thanks to nine months of aging in red wine barrels. But that same maturation process results in a tropical-inspired tipple, full of pineapple, guava, and rain-soaked earthiness. Not only is it a joy to drink, it’s also the most refreshing expression on this list.
Best Sherry-Aged Sipping Tequila: Lobos 1707 Añejo
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After more than a year of aging in white American oak, Lobos 1707 Añejo moves into PX sherry casks for a significant secondary finish. It gives the Añejo a darker, jammy hue that looks beautiful in its glass bottle (only 9,000 were produced in total). But more importantly, these sherry casks add a nutty texture to the tequila’s rich mouthfeel, along with a nice hint of tobacco and leather.
The Most Impressive Sipping Tequila: Clase Azul Tequila Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Aromas Anejo
Since 2021, Clase Azul has been gracing our palates with the extremely limited edition Tequila Día de Muertos Edición Limitada Aromas Anejo. The 2023 incarnation is its best yet. A rich añejo, left to finish in barrels formerly reserved for rhum agricole, Martinique’s native sugar cane spirit. The marriage of flavors aligns earthy agave notes with sweet grass, while a citrusy top note hangs just above. A celebration in a glass, or rather a ceramic carafe embossed with a sugar skull. This is by far the most expensive item on our list, but once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
What Should You Consider When Choosing the Best Tequila?
As you can imagine, with a sipping drink, we’re looking for something that’s enjoyable to sip. On its own, with or without ice—but to be honest, it’s usually the latter. When we sample, we want the liquid to express its natural “terroir,” the environment in which it was produced. We start by smelling it first, and then we simply swipe a measured amount onto our palate. We want something that brings balance, but also allows the key ingredient, the agave, to take center stage. The plant should be the star of the show, telling us a story rather than just the flavor notes. It should leave us wanting more.
Why You Should Trust Us
We sip tequila. I mean, a lot of tequila. In fact, we've both reached about 330 agave-based expressions alone this year. Relax, this is One sit down. Also, when we sip—especially the good stuff, like the ones you see below—it’s our job to savor it. We also judge drinking competitions, where you usually have to spit out the liquid before you swallow it. There are notebooks and palate cleansers. So, yeah, we take this job pretty seriously. In fact, we’ve spent more than a decade getting to know the category up close and personal and, when possible, on-site in Jalisco.
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