The Best Budget Tequila For Your Cocktails

If you’ve been cursed by a shot of nasty tequila like many of us have, you might think you need to really splash out to get something nice – but you really don’t. Sure, some high-end sipping tequilas can dent the wallet, but when it comes to cocktails, you need a robust tequila with great balance and smoothness… and there’s plenty of those under £30.

These seven stunning tequilas each provide something a little bit different to you cocktail experience, and we’ve paired them with an exquisite cocktail that they shine in. Let’s go agave diving!

El Tequileño Reposado

This Jalisco Reposado gives intense cooked agave notes, coated in a slightly bitter oak from three months of American oak casks. This maturation also delivers some lovely tobacco sweetness and subtle salted caramel. There are so many flavours going on without the use of additives that it’s impressive, especially at this price.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £22.95

The Mexican Mule

Ingredients
60ml/2oz El Tequileño Reposado
15ml/0.5oz fresh lime juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Top up with Ginger Beer

Method
Build over ice, preferably in a highball glass. Pour ginger beer to the top and finish with a lime wedge.

El Sueño Tequila Silver

This tequila is slightly different. We normally like to look for 100% agave, but this ‘mixto’ uses 70% agave with 30% locally-grown piloncillo, which is natural cane sugar. This isn’t a modern band trying to cut corners though, it’s backed up by five generations of tequila producers – and the purists that might swerve it are missing out. There’s plenty of vegetal agave, grapefruit tang and a nice underlying sweetness amazing for cocktails like this one.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £24.74

The Sueño Sunrise

Ingredients
50ml/1.75oz El Sueño Tequila Silver
200ml/6.75oz orange juice
15ml/0.5oz grenadine

Method
Shake the tequila and OJ with ice and pour. Gently add grenadine, pouring down the side so that it settles at the bottom. A maraschino cherry skewered is the perfect garnish.

Olmeca Reposado Tequila

This is an accessible Reposado leading with oaky agave. Candied orange brings a sweet citrus flavour and vanilla lingers too. It’s been highly praised at The Spirits Business awards and delivers an easy-to-love caramel flavour that’s dangerously moreish. Beautiful bottle too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: £24.39 (usually more!)

The Mango Margarita

Ingredients
45ml/1.5oz Reposado tequila
15ml/0.5oz triple sec
120ml/0.5 cup mango juice
Half a lime of juice
Salt for the rim

Method
Chill the Margarita glasses to frost them. Mix together everything in a shaker with ice. Then, using the condensation on the glass or lime juice, roll the rim in salt. Pour over fresh ice and garnish with a lime wedge. Salud!

Mundo Blanco Tequila

If you want to bring some serious complexity to your cocktails, then Mundo Blanco is perfect. Many drinkers use it as a sipping tequila because there are many earthy depths and fresh heights to familiarise yourself with. The agave nectar is a Highland/Lowland combo, so you get a really nicely rounded herbaceous and crisp profile. Top notch packaging too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: £27.75

The Paloma

Ingredients
50ml/1.75oz Mundo Blanco Tequila
25ml/0.8oz grapefruit juice
12.5ml/0.5oz lime juice
7.5ml/0.2oz agave syrup
50ml/1.75oz pink grapefruit soda
Wheel of grapefruit for garnish

Method
Shake everything except the soda with ice and strain into a tall glass. Pour your grapefruit soda in and finish with a gorgeous wheel of grapefruit.

Cazcabel Reposado

When it comes to tequila, Cazcabel definitely know their onions… or rather, their agave. They’re the best-selling brand in the UK and for good reason. Their Reposado has won big awards, aged in oak for 9 months to develop glorious earthy flavours coated in sweet cinnamon. Dried fruits dance with noticeably vegetal agave for bold flavour. Very fun to use in cocktails like the one below.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £27.90

Caballo

Ingredients
60ml/2oz Cazcabel Reposado
30ml/1oz pink grapefruit juice
10ml/0.3oz agave syrup
Wheel of grapefruit for garnish

Method
Simple – shake everything with ice and strain into chilled glass. Refreshing and delicious.

Rooster Rojo Reposado Tequila

The Mexican Rooster is here to wake you up. The blue agave are steam-cooked for 10 hours, before special yeast is added to the juices for 72 hours of fermentation before distillation. It’s rested in oak, before the water used is filtered through Mexican silver. It has lovely sweet flavour - think caramel and all spice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £27.94

Tommy's Margarita

Ingredients
60ml/2oz Rooster Rojo Reposado Tequila
30ml/1oz fresh lime
15ml/0.5oz agave nectar

Method
Shake it with ice. Strain it into a chilled couple glass. Garnish with lime wedge. Simple and delicious.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver

We couldn’t leave out the worlds oldest, and arguably biggest tequila brand. Slick, smooth and sweet, the nose delivers strong agave, which carries over on the palate with green pepper and lime. The balance is spot on which makes it a go-to for cocktail lovers.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £29.99 (usually more!)

The Matador

Ingredients
30ml/1oz Jose Cuervo Tradicional Silver
60ml/2oz pineapple juice
22ml/0.75oz lime juice

Method
Like most tequila drinks, this is a simple wet shake before a good strain. Tropical delight.

If you want to explore the absolute best this misunderstood spirit has to offer, then how about The Best Sipping Tequilas?

The Best Tequila to Gift This Christmas

Tequila is probably the most understood spirit in the world, and if you want to convert someone to the agave side, then these delicious bottles will just do that.

Forget shots, forget throat burn, and forget salted rims, these are stand-out tequilas in each style that will win doubters around and appeal to agave connoisseurs all the same. Vamos!

Best Blanco Tequila to Gift for Christmas

Gran Centenario Plata Tequila

This beautiful Blanco does the simple things well, using 10-year-old agave cooked in stone ovens, before distillation and oak ageing. It’s such a smooth ride, with cooked agave up front, and very subtle hints of pepper and earth. The bottle makes an instant impression too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £38.45

Calle 23 Blanco Tequila

This is a deliciously pure expression of premium Blanco, unashamedly thrusting the seductively smooth cooked agave into the spotlight. Tropical citrus, pepper and herbaceous notes do add depth, but the lack of age means it’s all about that agave, delivering a clean and characterful liquid.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42.95 (usually more!)

Fortaleza Blanco Tequila

The family-run Fortaleza’s Blanco is a well-respected benchmark in tequila, and a go-to of many agave aficionados. 100% stone crushed agave backed up by buttery olive and cracked pepper, combined with one of the most charming bottles going, make this a stellar gift for someone who knows their tequila.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £59.95

Best Reposado Tequila to Gift for Christmas

Cazcabel Reposado Tequila

Cazcabel have a stunning portfolio, and their Reposado is some of the best there is below £30. The spicey warmth of the pepper and the silky caramel really come through from 9 months of oak ageing, pairing with the earthy crispness of the agave flavour wonderfully.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £28.49

Tiempo Tequila Reposado Cristalino

Using Blue Weber agave from Los Altos and Tequila Valley, this is a double distilled Reposado that matures in oak for 8 months. During that time, butterscotch and caramel infuse with juicy agave and unlike many Reposados, it’s filtered after ageing for velvety mouthfeel – the complexity survives though.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £49.45

Casamigos Reposado Tequila

With Clooney originally behind it, this was a trailblazing ‘celebrity drink’ that came through with quality, unlike some. The anonymous master distiller is working wonders, delivering a fresh and vibrant Tequila that’s not far off an añejo profile. Vanilla and sweet tropical fruits come through invitingly, as does a touch of oak-y spice and the gentlest waft of smoke. It's so smooth and complex than many drink it neat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £62.94

Best Añejo Tequila to Gift for Christmas

El Jimador Tequila Añejo

Onto the añejo now, and El Jimador’s is aged for a year in oak to infuse with those rich, vanilla woody notes, whilst retaining the signature agave flavour. It’s quite light, citrusy, and floral for an añejo, but the spice and caramel does come through towards the finish. It straddles the styles nicely, and is best-selling for a reason.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £30£30.9595

VIVIR Tequila Añejo

VIVIR’s Añejo is absolutely saturated with five-star reviews, and we get why. 12-year-old Blue Weber are blended with local volcanic spring water, before 18 months of ex-bourbon cask ageing, and the result is stand-out richness brimming with fudgy butterscotch and buttery vanilla. Thyme and peppermint fill out the profile, but there’s also stoney minerality, peppery heat and of course, that roasted agave. There is so much going on, but everything is softly integrated and so smooth. This is a bottle that will turn even the most doubtful drinker on to tequila.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £58.99

ArteNOM Selección de 1146 Tequila Añejo

This tequila stands out on the shelf, as does the first sip. It’s produced by Tequileña Distillery in Jalisco, and aged partially in Cabernet Franc barrels, before ex rye whiskey casks finish the job. The serious complexity is poised precisely, revealing layers of plentiful vanilla, dark chocolate, fudge, allspice, and fresh zest. Earthy coffee and nuts are there too. It’s very oaky, reminiscent of a whisky in some ways, and would therefore be a great tequila to try for a whisky lover.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £79.95

Best Extra Blended Tequila to Gift for Christmas

Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

11 generations of tequila mastery power this tequila, which might be the world’s first crystal clear multi-aged tequila. The colouring of the extra añejo, añejo and reposado is filtered out, but what’s left is the creamy mouthfeel and complexity all that ageing brings. The layers just keep showing themselves, with honey, maple and nuts decorating the great agave flavour. A special blend indeed.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £53.76 (usually more!)

If you’re in need of more memorable bottles for Christmas gifts, then we’ve got tonnes of guides up on the website right now. Looking for unique bottles that stand out? Or perhaps gin to gift? Or rum? Find them and more!

Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo: The Art of Tequila

Introducing the Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo, a fine example of how to age gracefully. The epitome of tequila sophistication and craftsmanship, this limited-edition bottle is a true marvel, carefully sourced and selected from the personal collection of the brand's founder, Juan Domingo "Dobel" Beckmann. With a mere 50 bottles available in the UK, we’re talking about a rare gem that will make any agave connoisseur's heart skip a beat.

Aged in French Oak casks, meticulously chosen from Dobel's private cellar, it underwent the comprehensive three-year ageing process that all Extra Añejo liquids go through, but of course the journey doesn’t end there. Off to Italy it goes, where it finds its perfect match in Amarone wine casks, infusing the tequila with sumptuous notes of rich chocolate, coffee, nuts, and dried fruits. The result is a dark and velvety spirit that promises an unforgettable tasting experience, all that mouthwatering infusion as well as tropical undertones and sweet vanilla and cinnamon running through.

The Maestro Dobel 50 limited edition series is a true testament to the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation. Starting in 2017, these collectable editions pay tribute to inspiring events from fifty years ago, adding a touch of historical charm to every sip. Poetry has never been more delicious.

With its iconic apothecary-style bottle, inspired by vintage laboratory sample bottles, Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo stands out as a work of art, outside and in.

If you’re lucky enough to be in a position to pursue a bottle, then be quick because as mentioned, there are only 50! It retails for over £2000 so check out places like Hedonism Wines, House of Spirits and Master of Malt for availability. Alternatively, if you just want a taste of the nectar then it is available at some bars such as The Connaught, Mandarin Oriental, Annabel’s and Lyaness… but for how long, it’s difficult to say.

Is 2023 Tequila’s Year?

For anyone that listens to our Bring a Bottle podcast, you’ll know that we’ve been wanting tequila and mezcal to be fully explored for a while. With the growing popularity of cocktails like the Margarita and the Picante as well as the influx of celebrity brands, tequila, it is getting there but there’s still so much more that it has to offer!

Far too often, the spirit itself is being clouded by other ingredients when it should be the star of the show… and 2023 may well be the year. Someone who agrees with us is Cazcabel and although they may be somewhat biased, their Blanco is the UK’s best-selling 100% agave tequila, so they certainly know their onions…or agave we should say.

All research shows that the tequila train is showing no signs of slowing down, and is in fact speeding up. The global market is the fastest growing spirit after pre-mixed cocktails, the Margarita is the most popular cocktail in the world and everything looks set for tequila to transition from party drink to premium sipper… although who’s to say it can’t be both!

British drinkers are warming to the idea of swapping out vodka and gin from their tonics and experimenting with tequila as a short serve option – not just dismissing it as shots or cocktail fodder. If you want to get ahead of the trend then we’ve been shouting about our favourite tequila options from the rooftops which you can explore here.

Cazcabel is pioneering in the space though, and a fantastic option to explore. Located in the Jalisco highlands of Mexico, Cazcabel not only produces liqueurs but super value blanco and reposado expressions, showcasing how the earthy crispness of agave flavour can shine when paired simply with tonic.

Cazcabel Blanco - £25.70
Cazcabel Reposado - £25.99

The Best Tequila To Gift This Christmas

There’s no drink more harmed by its own reputation than tequila. Far too many people have mixed memories of shots, salt, and lime and have simply written it off as a throat burner. Wrong!

Whilst it’s always possible it’s just not to someone’s taste, it’s more likely that a little bit more exploring would go a long way. Tequila is a versatile spirit for all times of the year, and these beauties below shouldn’t be anywhere near shot glasses or salt. No burn, just pure agave nectar!

Whereas tequila may have once brought you and your friends together in the club, let it now become a coming together drink at Christmas time instead... and you can actually cherish it this time. So, whether you want to treat yourself, win over a doubting Thomas, or just impress a sombrero-wearing tequila lover this Christmas, we’ve listed our favourite tequilas of each type below!

The Best Blanco Tequila to Gift

El Espolòn Blanco

Renowned master distiller Cirilo Oropeza is behind this beautiful Blanco, crafting it in the highlands of Jalisco. This 100% blue agave beauty is bottled without aging, so just one smell gives you fresh agave front and centre, with floral notes and sweet flavours after sipping. What a bottle too! Espolòn comes from the spur of the rooster's foot, a bird of great significance in Mexican culture, so of course, there’s a Day of the Dead skeleton riding one on the label, what else?

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £26.49

Próspero Blanco

Celebrities love to dip their toes into the world of tequila and mezcal, and in this case, Rita Ora has joined forces with distilling maestro Stella Anguiano to create Próspero. They have three styles: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, but the Blanco stands apart from standard, un-aged tequila with a distinctly vibrant bouquet floral aroma followed by true 100% agave character and a slight spice to finish. If you’re looking for a cocktail Tequila, then this will definitely hold its corner, but it’s more than well-rounded enough to enjoy solo. We have to shout out the gorgeously designed bottle again. The Mexicans certainly know how to entice us in that’s for sure! Perfect for Christmas gifting.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £30.49

Tapatio 110 Blanco Tequila

Tapatio Blanco is a tequila that you’ll spot in many bars, but not this special edition. 110 proof, it’s a lip-smacking 55% ABV, so if you know someone that’s a seasoned tequila drinker, they might love this punchy concentrated flavour. There’s a loveable fruitiness from nose to finish, and a pleasant hit of peppery spice on the palate. Maybe not one for a newbie, but if you’re already a convert, this is a must try.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 55%
Find here: £31

Calle 23 Blanco

Another stylish bottle with that all important 100% agave trait you should seek out, this is an extremely pure expression of quality Blanco Tequila. It’s smooth and seductive with cooked agave at the fore. There are hints of citrus and herbaceous notes, but if you’re an agave purist then trust us, you’ll adore this!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.99

Casa Noble Blanco

This triple-distilled super smooth Blanco uses 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the rich, volcanic soil of the mountains in western Jalisco. There’s nothing rough around the edges at all, it’s simply pure, well balanced crisp nectar, with flavours of honey, fresh citrus and the agave itself which has an appetising buttery-sweetness to it. No lime or salt anywhere near this please.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £53.44

Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

What we’ve got here is possibly the world’s first crystal clear multi-aged tequila. It’s an innovative blend of reposado (partially aged), añejo (aged for over a year) and extra añejo (aged for over three years). Usually, you would expect some colouring but with Dobel it’s filtered out, whilst retaining the beautiful creamy flavour and complexity the aging brings. With stunning layering of maple, nuts, and honey, this is ideal for anyone looking to try something a little different. It’s seriously good.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £47.90 (usually £54.90!)

Fortaleza Blanco

The family run Fortaleza was launched in 2005, after being dismissed decades earlier as inefficient and old fashioned. They’ve since become respected for their influential history and are now bottling some of the finest tequila there is. This is often the place tequila drinkers are trying to ‘get to’, because it represents everything a pristine Blanco should be. 100% stone crushed agave with delightful bursts of olive and butter, it’s earthy, peppery with gentle citrus. Class in a glass, and a bottle worth keeping too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £56.40

The Best Reposado Tequila to Gift

Cazcabel Reposado

Allow us to introduce you to the Gold Medal winner for Premium Reposado at the 2019 Tequila Masters. American oak aged for 9 months, you’ll find earthy flavours at first, then gorgeous cinnamon, caramel, and dried fruit surfacing. At the heart of this supporting cast though is a particularly vegetal agave, still bold and sweet even after aging. Quality beyond its price point so it’s likely one you’ll want to return to.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £25.99

El Rayo Reposado

This is a strikingly contemporary tequila bottle that will really impress as a gift from the moment it’s revealed under the wrapping. El Rayo means, ‘the lightning’, referencing the legend of how lightning struck and cooked a Blue Weber agave plant, creating the first tequila! Cracking it open reveals a full-bodied and layered tequila with golden caramel colouring that’s matured for seven months in ex-whiskey casks, creating a Reposado that’s well worth trying, especially if someone’s never taken to it tequila before.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.70

Patrón Reposado

When thinking of a tequila house that consistently delivers excellence across its range, we never stray too far from Patrón. Their Reposado picked up a Masters gong at the Tequila Masters in both 2020 and 2021, and with each bottle hand-filled, signed and uniquely numbered, it’s as close as you can get to a guaranteed hit as a gift. Lightly amber in colour, it’s bright with freshly squeezed citrus and smooth vanilla, all wrapped together by honey and agave. You’ll struggle to find a more suitable star for your margarita than this Reposado.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £47.45

Pancho Datos Reposado

The name Pancho Datos is homage to the great historian and poet of the Mexican Revolution, Ricardo Grijalva de León. Before reaching those ominously gorgeous bottles, Panchos Datos Reposado is at rest for six months in white oak barrels that were once used to mature bourbon whiskey. These barrels more than leave their mark with tasty vanilla and caramel notes that make it utterly delicious. The extremely rounded flavours would make for a characterful and smooth margarita, but you have to try it over just over ice first.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £41.50 (usually £49.50!)

Mijenta Tequila Reposado

Mijenta is sustainability as well as flavour royalty. They’re an artisanal, small batch producer in the Jalisco highlands that work closely with local communities to create a product that delivers not only for the drinker, but for the planet too. Even their label is made from discarded agave waste! The Reposado is aged for half a year in a blend of barrels – American white oak, French oak, and French acacia casks. As a result, it boasts of rich vanilla, nutty wood, and bold vegetal agave, with a velvety feel throughout. Great backstory, fantastic tequila, what more can you ask for?

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £63.95

Clase Azul Reposado

If we’re offering you some of the best options for gifting (or having yourself, let’s be honest) then we just can’t leave this out. We think it’s one of the most beautiful bottles we’ve seen, and we peruse a lot. Beyond the quirky bell that comes with it, each bottle is unique and 100% handcrafted by over 100 artists committed to working on 1 bottle at a time. Produced at one of the highest points in Los Altos, it’s rumoured that the extreme altitude has a unique effect on the flavour. Whether that’s true or not, it may as well be because it’s magnificent. The company’s secret yeast blend ferments the liquid before triple filtration distillation and fine oak aging completes the process. It’s picked up gold medals galore and if you’re fortunate enough to be able to really treat someone this Christmas, this is certainly the way to go! Just make sure no one throws away the bottle!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £209.95

The Best Añejo Tequila to Gift

Rooster Rojo Añejo

It’s our old friend the Mexican rooster again, this time on the front of a rich Añejo made by initially steaming the piña (the centre of the agave after harvesting) for 10 hours. Special yeast is added, before Rooster Rojo undergoes double pot distillation and maturing in ex-bourbon casks. As a result, you get mouth watering aromas of chocolate and coffee, with smoky tobacco and oak. Late come delicious, sweeter notes of caramel, vanilla and roast agave and a final wave of brown sugar on the finish. At this price, it’s absolutely irresistible.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £27.44

 1800 Añejo Tequila

There’s lots to catch your eye with this. First, the oversized cap and interesting bottle shape that is paying homage to the Mayan pyramids. Secondly, check out that striking caramel nectar colouring! Thirdly, and most importantly, the taste. There’s a pleasant and very noticeable woody spice, derived from French oak aging for over a year. The agave is less front and centre than most, so try it and see what you make of it!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £43.69

Casamigos Añejo Tequila

If George Clooney’s involved, then it’s got to be worth a look. He’s the gorgeous face of Casamigos, so much so that the master distiller behind it has never actually been named! The 100% blue agave piñas are slow cooked for 72 hours in their traditional brick ovens, after which begins the 80-hour fermentation process with a signature yeast blend that gives this tequila its extra refined flavour. It’s then time for American white oak casks for 14 months to smooth out further and the result... there’s a sublime taste of pure roasted agave and it’s brimming with toffee penny, dark chocolate, and sweetly spiced oak notes. Every single sip tastes like Christmas so waste no time in getting it open on the day itself. No George included but you can’t have everything!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £60.99

If you want to mix up belting Margaritas with the above beauties or find other tequila cocktails to try with them, check out our Best Selection here!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The main styles of tequila

It’s Cinco de Mayo - the 5th of May - a day when all things Mexican are celebrated and in my world, that usually means one thing: tequila! It makes me happy. We’re tasting a few with Mike Graham on talkTV this week so here are the details along with a bit of background. 

What exactly is tequila?

Tequila is a spirit hailing from Mexico that is made by cooking, fermenting and distilling the piñas that grow within the blue agave plant. To be called tequila, the agave must be grown in the five designated areas of Jalisco or the production areas of Guanajuato, Michoacán, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas. In practice, most tequila actually comes from Jalisco. Sales of tequila grew by 175% during lockdown and have continued to stay strong!

What are the key styles of tequila?

The three main types of tequila are tequila blanco (also known a silver tequila), tequila reposado and tequila añejo. You can also find some tequila joven (joven means young) and at the other end of the scale, small amounts of extra añejo (extra old) tequila exists.

Tequila Blanco

Blanco is unaged tequila made from the blue Weber agave. It’s bottled shortly after distillation, is clear in colour and showcases the freshest style of tequila.

Tequila Reposado

‘Reposado’ means rested in Spanish and refers to tequila that has been aged in oak barrels (American or European) for between two and twelve months. The colour will be slightly darker yellow thanks to the contact with wood. 

Tequila Añejo

‘Añejo’ means ‘old’ in Spanish and it refers to tequila that’s been aged in oak barrels for at least twelve months and is darker in colour. These tequilas you will want to sip neat as they are very complex and delicious. They also make a good alternative to brown spirits like whisky or cognac. 

Tequila joven and extra añejo are harder to find. Jovens are usually unaged tequilas with a tiny amount of aged spirit blended in. Extra añejo tequilas are very rare and aged for at least three years in wood. 

Some premium tequilas to try

Ditch the lime and salt please, premium tequila should be treated like other premium whiskies, cognacs and other spirits. Take your time to sip and savour them and see how they open up in the glass. 

Mijenta Blanco Tequila

Mijenta is a sustainable, artisanal, super premium tequila from Jalisco. Made by female maestra, Ana Maria Romero, it’s pure, silky, subtle, yet complex.

Find it at The Whisky Exchange for £49.95

Pancho Datos Reposado Tequila

The name Pancho Datos is homage to the great historian and poet of the Mexican Revolution, Ricardo Grijalva de León. It’s made with agave aged for 6 years before cooking, then distilled twice and rested for 6 months in ex Bourbon barrels. Think earthy, creamy, spice and toffee. 

Find it at Master of Malt for £49.95

Patrón Añejo Tequila

A super premium tequila from the original, premium tequila brand. It’s made in small batches and oak aged for over a year. Think smooth, sweet, woody, candied citrus.

Find it at The Whisky Exchange  or Ocado for £56.95

Maestro Dobel Diamanté Tequila

The first ever crystal clear, multi-aged tequila (a blend of 100% Agave Reposado, Añejo & Extra-Ańejo). Think maple, nuts, honey, 

Find it at Waitrose, Amazon and others for £49.90

The Best Tequilas for Margaritas

When tequila is mentioned, you probably think of one of two things: shots with salt and lime, and a margarita. The holy grail of tequila cocktails, the blood pumping through the heart of any good party, the flavour combination that does not budge in the public favour. The margarita has been built on many times, in many ways and by many different people and bars but one thing is for certain: it’s damn tasty.

Here are our favourite tequilas for making this delicious, timeless cocktail…

Patrón Silver

Patrón may be the most iconic and recognisable tequila brand in the world with its large bottomed bottles and spherical stopper. Though name dropped once every ten minutes, Patrón is still a solid tequila that is a staple behind the bar. We feel it should be a staple in a home bar too, as its consistency and aromatic flavour are perfect in any and all margaritas.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £40.95

1800 Silver Tequila

The oversized stopper and interesting bottle shape are the first thing that’ll catch your eye about this tequila. In fact, the bottle is said to be made in such a way as to resemble Mayan pyramids! Named after the year that tequila was first put into oak casks, 1800 Silver Tequila is delicate while still being fiery, and offers an elegant floral finish. Having this bottle on your shelf means you’ll be getting a great margarita every time.

ABV: 38%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £32.99 // US $41.99

Código 1530 Rosa Tequila

This tequila is particularly interesting and totally different from anything else on this list. The first thing you’ll notice is that it’s not the usual clear colour you’ll get from a young tequila, instead it has a rose tint to it. Aha! That, my friends, is because this tequila is rested for one month in barrels that previously held Napa Cabernet Sauvignon! This unique process gives the tequila some notes of red fruits that you won’t find anywhere else. Put this tequila in a margarita alternative such as a watermelon margarita and you’ve got yourself a winner.

ABV: 35%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £45.75 // US $64.99

Olmeca Altos Plata

If you hear the word ‘plata’ and have no idea what it means, don’t worry. Plata, silver and blanco tequila all mean the same thing: they’re all tequilas that have not been rested for longer than two months. Easy peasy. Olmeca Altos is a great, clean tequila that is perfect for making cocktails such as margaritas. If you want something that’ll serve you well, go for Olmeca Altos.

ABV: 38%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £29.90 // US $26.39

Villa Lobos Blanco

Villa Lobos Blanco is an entry-level tequila from Master Distiller Carlos Camarena, who has worked on some of the finest tequilas on the market. For that reason, he’s kinda a big deal. This blanco is excellently balanced and incredibly smooth, without the aggressive agave bite that can put people off tequila. It’s silky and soft without being too mellow and is perfect in a margarita that will have you and your friends coming back for more...

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml
Find it here: £32.45

Best Tequila for Reposado Margaritas

Reposado tequila is tequila that has been rested from two months up to a year. As it rests in the barrels, the flavour rounds out and loses some of the tang that you might get from a blanco tequila. However, the tequila does gain a lot of complexity as it rests and this can take your margaritas to a completely different space taste-wise. We recommend trying it!

Vivir Tequila Reposado

In Spanish, vivir is the infinitive form of the verb ‘to-live’, and let’s just say you’ll certainly be living after trying Vivir’s Tequila Reposado! This reposado is matured in oak bourbon barrels for at least 6 months before being decanted into the beautiful bottles that Vivir is known for. Notes of butter and caramel don’t overpower the agave present in this tequila, instead complementing each other and making for a smooth and sophisticated drink perfect for a classy margarita.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £36.95

Panchos Datos Reposado Tequila

Before being bottled, Panchos Datos Reposado is rested for six months in white oak barrels that were used to mature bourbon whiskey. These barrels give this tequila the tasty vanilla and caramel notes that make it so mouth-wateringly delicious! The rounded flavours make for a smooth margarita, but it’s just as delicious taken neat or over ice.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £49.50

Fortaleza Tequila Reposado

If you’re ready to splash a bit of cash for an extremely nice reposado, we recommend you go for Fortaleza Tequila Reposado! While the bottle is beautiful (especially that stopper reminiscent of an agave piña), it’s what’s inside that’s worth shouting about. Along with the classic caramel notes, there’s citrus, wood spice and orchard fruit - not forgetting those rich agave flavours. Maybe this one might be a little too complex for a margarita, but we’re not stopping you!

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £64.69 // US $69.99

Looking for more tequila content? Make sure you check out The World’s Best Sipping Tequila or The Best Celebrity Owned Tequilas!

The Top Celebrity Owned Tequilas

Tequila is, finally, becoming a more and more popular drink to enjoy on a night out. The image of salt and lime chasers is thankfully becoming a thing of the past as more people are getting wise to the fact that there are some exceptional sipping Tequilas out there to be enjoyed neat, in highballs or in fancier cocktails. It’s so popular in fact that we are also now seeing celebrities create their own tequila brands just as we have done with wine! From George Clooney (swoon - don’t judge) to The Rock, here is a list of the celebrity tequila you can get your hands on.

Sauza 901

The story goes that the celebrity behind Sauza 901, Justin Timberlake, first became interested in creating his own tequila after seeing the craftsmanship, culture and tradition that goes into cultivating fine tequila on a road trip to Jalisco, Mexico. This then saw the birth of his 901 tequila, which is now known as Sauza 901. Justin may be best known for his music but we have to say that with its piquant, fiery scent and delicious smoothness on the tongue, this is one tequila well worth a try!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: Currently out of stock :(

Próspero

Another singer to dip their toes into the world of tequila is Rita Ora, who has joined forces with master distiller Stella Anguiano to create Próspero. This tequila is available in three styles: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. The Blanco is quite different from standard, un-aged tequila with its vibrant bouquet of dried and fresh floral aromas, which lead seamlessly through to the agave notes and and spice. This would be great tequila in a cocktail as it has enough character to shine through.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £40.95 // US $40.99
Reposado UK £45.45 // US $46.79
Añejo UK £51.99 // US $52.99

Casamigos  

Be still our beating hearts (and that goes for Aidy’s too) as we introduce the celebrity behind this next tequila: George Clooney! Partnering with his good friend Rande Gerber and their business partner Mike Meldman in 2013 to create Casamigos, Clooney’s brand has since become so popular that by the end of 2020, it hit the million case sales a year milestone! Little wonder when you taste the three versions; there’s the refreshing Blanco with its subtle hint of agave, a Reposado with notes of caramel, buttery vanilla and delicate oak spice and an Añejo, which is a gorgeous tequila brimming with toffee penny, roasted agave, dark chocolate and sweetly spiced oak notes. Every single sip tastes like Christmas!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £50.00 // US $41.99
Reposado UK £57.49 // US $83.99
Añejo UK £62.99 // US $59.99

818 Tequila

Founded by model and ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ star Kendall Jenner, 818 Tequila was first launched in May this year and has since been rolled out across various states in the US (sorry UK!). So, if you are lucky enough to live stateside then you have a choice between the Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, which have racked up a combined total of 16 tasting awards between themselves already! We haven’t tasted this yet but if you have, get in touch and let us know what you thought.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco $42.99
Reposado $52.99
Añejo $69.99

Teremana

Teremana tequila, the brainchild of film star Dwayne Johnson aka ‘The Rock’, was launched at the beginning of this year after multiple exciting social media teasers. There are Blanco and Reposado styles available, the former being described as having notes of bright citrus with a fresh finish and the latter as having notes of oak and vanilla with a smooth, rich finish. Much like 818 Tequila, this too is only available in the USA right now but hopefully, it won’t be too long before everyone else can get sipping on it too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here:
Blanco UK £47.99 // US $29.99
Reposado UK £47.69 // US $34.99

For more tequila deliciousness make sure you check out The World’s Best Sipping Tequilas and The 6 Tequilas You Need in Your Life Right Now!