Determining the best tequila in the world can be challenging, especially with the abundance of options available. From top shelf tequila to hidden gems, finding the perfect sip requires careful consideration. Tequila aficionados and novices alike often seek the pinnacle of agave spirits, so let’s dive in to discover the best tequila in the world.

Tequila is a drink originating from Mexico and is best enjoyed slowly, not guzzled. With this in mind, how do you choose the perfect tequila? You are about to learn about the finest tequila brands produced in Mexico and beyond to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your sipping experience.

What to Look for in a Tequila

Tequila is a product of a specific origin that includes all of Jalisco as well as a few towns in the state of Michoacán, Guanajuato, Tamaulipas and Nayarit. Only blue agave, or the agave tequilana Weber azul, found in this area is suitable for making Mexico’s most well-known spirit, tequila.

The tequila industry is experiencing great excitement right now as a result of celebrities releasing their products and raising awareness of the entire process involved in creating the beverage. From the aging process to the production, consumers are beginning to realize there’s a lot more depth to the tequilas the manufacturers sell. But you shouldn’t buy tequila just because it’s been promoted or because a celebrity owns it.

Does it have a nice flavor that appeals to the tongue and nose when consumed on its own without the need for mixers? After that initial sip is gone, is it something you’ll want to drink again? More “yes” answers mean a more memorable tequila.

The Top 10 Best Tequila in The World

Just before a quick rundown of the best tequila in the world, it is important to note that based on how it ages, tequila can be divided into multiple categories. Blanco tequila is transparent and clear, and it has not matured. Añejo tequila is matured in oak barrels for at least one year and no more than three years, whilst reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels for at least two months but no more than a year and tequila Extra Añejo is matured for over three years.

It’s important to remember that what is considered as the best tequila in the world varies according to personal preference and taste experience. Opt for Mexican tequila brands to be sure you are tasting the highest quality.

Don Julio 1942 Tequila Anejo

Don Julio 1942, named after its founder’s birth year, is a best selling tequila in the world that epitomises classic elegance. It has been aged for at least 25 years and has a complex flavor profile with notes of rich vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Additionally, only blue agave that grows exclusively in La Primavera, a plantation in the Jalisco hills is utilized.

The goal of the company’s namesake founder, Don Julio, led to the brand’s pioneering status in the tequila sector. For many years, at parties, tequila bottles were big and tucked under the table. Don Julio created a bottle that is of a smaller size and more manageable to distribute from person to person because he believed that his tequila shouldn’t end up on the ground.

Exchanging the bottle of tequila has become a tradition as a result of other brands today imitating this design. But this legend was surpassed by just one other brand. This is evidence of the company’s commitment to producing premium tequila that endures over time.

Tequila Ocho Plata

Ocho is a tequila brand worth checking out if you’re curious about the vintage and terroir aspects of good tequila. The name of the field and the production year are listed on the bottle label of this single-estate tequila, which comes from a single field or rancho.

Offerings in the anejo and extra anejo category include some single barrels bottled at 109.6 proof, as well as expressions ranging from plata to extra anejo. This Mexico tequila brand which is one of the best tequila in the world was founded by the late Tomas Estes and Tequilero Carlos Camarena, who is also the creator of El Tesoro and Tapatio.

Patrón

One of the most recognizable and well-respected premium tequila brands in the world today is Patrón. In 2018, Patrón was purchased by Bacardi Limited for a sum of $5.1 billion.

The deal came after a fruitful partnership between the two businesses that began in 2008 when Bacardi bought a 30% minority share in Patrón Spirits. Hand-selected blue agave is used to make Patrón Silver, which is then distilled in stills lined with copper. The end product is a complex, fragrant tequila that tastes a lot like pineapple, yellow stone fruit, and vanilla.

Cierto Reserve Collection Blanco Tequila

Produced by fourth- and fifth-generation agave farmers themselves, Master Distillers Enrique Fonseca and Sergio Mendoza—two of the most influential figures in the additive-free tequila movement—it was only recently released to the general public. The word “true” comes from the Spanish word “cierto,” and each barrel is manufactured by ancient customs, with no extra ingredients added during the distillation or aging process. It would be a wonderful complement to any bar.

Jose Cuervo

The Cuervo family has been involved in the tequila industry since 1795, and in honor of the company’s bicentennial, Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo, a limited “family reserve,” was established. The finest agaves are processed and stored in the family’s exclusive cellar for a minimum of three years for this exceptional offering.

Next, a member of the Cuervo family tests each batch before it is bottled (each of which is dated and numbered). Though the flavors of every Extra Añejo vintage are unique, you can always expect velvety smoothness and rich notes of roasted almonds, leather, and black licorice.

Milagro

Milagro is manufactured entirely from Blue Agave in the Jalisco highlands, Mexico, and is distinguished by its perfect mix of fresh agave taste and superb smoothness. To preserve the lively flavor, the distillation process uses both pot and column stills. The company’s owner, William Grant & Sons, said in 2020 that the brand would acquire a Mexican distillery, bolstering the business’s robust growth in the premium spirits market and earning it the title of one of the best tequilas in the world.

Casa Dragones

A combination of Blanco and extra añejo tequila that has been filtered to take out the color and smoothen the flavor is known as “joven.” Casa Dragones is among the world’s most exclusive joven tequilas. Casa Dragones tequila has a rich history, which begins with the name itself.

It comes from a people group known as the Dragones, who were instrumental in igniting Mexican independence. This bottle of Blanco has the same intense spirit within. Sweet roasted agave and citrus are among the elements of this fresh, flowery scent. With subtle undertones of spice and vanilla, as well as a trace of pear, it has a smooth and delicate mouthfeel.

El Jimador

All of the Blue Weber agave used to make El Jimador is gathered in Amatitán, a lowland area of Jalisco, Mexico. The term “jimador,” which refers to the tequila farmers in the area, honors this harvesting method in the brand’s name.

Affordably priced and easily accessible, El Jimador Blanco is one of those tequilas that shines when combined with other wines or juices. Strong, herbal-influenced flavors and a light body make this best-selling tequila in the world incredibly adaptable for use in homemade tequila  cocktail recipes. Currently on sale are three different varieties of the spirit: añejo, reposado and silver. Each is double distilled and then bottled on the estate.

Casa Noble

Casa Noble is among the many tequila companies that have earned organic certification, but that’s not the main factor in its quality. No, this is excellent tequila because it has a delicious, crisp, peppery, and adaptable spirit. The tequila brand was redesigned in 2021, and the bottles were replaced with a more exquisite decanter-style glass shape in place of the previous squat, boxy appearance. The liquid has also been altered, with an emphasis on barrel blending and selection, as well as the removal of the previously available single barrel releases. The founder and master distiller, Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo, explains that to generate complexity and balance, up to 14 lots are integrated and different barrels are chosen based on certain traits. Marques de Casa Noble, a concoction of 9 añejo tequilas and 12 extra añejo, was released in 2022.

Fortaleza Still Strength

Since its origin, Fortaleza has grown in popularity, solidifying its position as a barman favorite thanks to its luscious agave notes that are only obtained through the manufacturing of tahona. Guillermo Erickson founded the company; his family were the ones who invented the tequila appellation and were the first to cook blue agave with steam. There are currently four manifestations of the spirit available: añejo, reposado, blanco, and blanco still strong.

Which Tequila Will You Try?

Your tequila journey doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. While those mentioned are well-known, smaller producers might surprise you with unique and delicious tequilas, often at good prices. So, don’t be afraid to experiment! Try different types of tequila, from Blanco to añejo, and see what you like best. After all, the best tequila in the world is the one that brings a smile to your face.

With the knowledge you gain here, you can become your tequila matchmaker, finding the perfect bottle for every occasion and sharing your love for this exciting spirit with friends.