As seasoned bartenders, we always resort to the best tequila brands whenever we want to add excitement to our evening drink or explore the finest sipping spirit options.
So, whether you’re looking to spice up your night with a smooth sipper or add a touch of luxury to your cocktails, these exceptional high end tequila brands are sure to impress.
Step into the world of top-shelf tequilas and indulge in the ultimate drinking experience. Cheers!
Top 20 High End Tequila Brands To Try
20. Fortaleza
Average Price: from $57-$129/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40-45.7% ABV
Nose: agave, oak, vanilla, caramel
Palate: agave, butterscotch, vanilla, oak spice
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: A traditional and artisanal tequila brand with authentic flavors.
“Tequila has come a very long way from its early harsh days and its blue-collar palates.” – Iñaki Orozco, Founder of Riazul Tequila
Fortaleza delivers a true taste of Mexico’s tequila heritage with each sip.
19. El Tesoro Anejo
Average Price: approx. $73.87/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: cooked agave
Palate: rich agave, oak, and vanilla
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: El Tesoro’s Anejo tequila boasts a harmonious blend of oak, vanilla, and agave flavors. Its smooth and refined profile makes it a delightful choice for sipping and savoring.
18. Patron Anejo
Average Price: approx. $61.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: oaky and smoky
Palate: raisin, honey, vanilla, agave
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Patron Anejo tequila showcases a sophisticated balance of oak, vanilla, and agave flavors. It delivers a smooth and rewarding sipping experience.
17. Milagro Reposado
Average Price: approx. $31.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: vanilla and caramel
Palate: warm and spicy
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: We’re impressed with this tequila for its smooth and approachable character.
Rested in oak barrels, it unveils caramel and spice notes, culminating in a balanced and enjoyable sipping experience.
16. Riazul Tequila Anejo
Average Price: approx. $62.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: lemon and caramel
Palate: silky vanilla and honey
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: Riazul’s Anejo exudes a rich and complex flavor profile with hints of caramel and vanilla, delivering a smooth and satisfying tequila experience worth savoring.
15. Espolòn Blanco
Average Price: approx. $29.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: vanilla and lemon
Palate: earth and peppery
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This vibrant and bold tequila has a crisp agave flavor, citrus undertones, and a clean finish. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a lively and refreshing tequila experience.
14. Casamigos
Average Price: approx. $48/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: heavy vanilla, agave, tropical fruits
Palate: vanilla and black pepper
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The Casamigos tequila is as impressive as George Clooney’s movies. We like its smooth and silky profile – from its Blanco to Anejo expressions – delivering a refined taste and elegance worthy of celebration.
13. Tequila Ocho Plata
Average Price: approx. $51.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: citrus, herbal, honey
Palate: black pepper, mint, fruit
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: With its crisp and vibrant character, it exudes a delightful balance of citrus, herbal notes, and a smooth finish.
12. Volcan De Mi Tierra
Average Price: approx. $49.99 (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: herbal and citrus
Palate: pear, cherry, grapefruit
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This tequila brand has a distinct volcanic terroir, boasting a perfect balance of sweetness, herbal notes, and a smooth finish, capturing the essence of the Jalisco highlands.
11. Siembra Azul Blanco
Average Price: approx. $68.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: cooked agave, fruit, grass, pepper
Palate: agave, cinnamon, citrus
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This tequila embodies the spirit of traditional production methods. We like its vibrant agave flavor, hints of citrus, and smooth finish – a true representation of quality.
10. Cazcanes
Average Price: approx. $79.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: sweet agave, coconut, vanilla
Palate: caramel, grapefruit, agave, vanilla
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This tequila brand is produced in small batches exuding quality. Cazcanes tequilas succeed in providing a delightful blend of agave [1] sweetness, herbal notes, and a smooth, refined finish.
9. Cabo Wabo
Average Price: approx. $34/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: ethanol, vanilla, agave
Palate: Jalapeno, vanilla, pepper, petricol, lime, peppermint
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This tequila brand delivers a party-ready experience. Its expressions boast a smooth and versatile profile, making it a popular choice for mixing cocktails [2] and enjoying lively gatherings.
8. Cincoro
Average Price: from $77-$1500/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: oak, caramel, and vanilla
Palate: vanilla sweetness
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This premium tequila brand, founded by five NBA players (including Michael Jordan), gives a range of distinct expressions.
It showcases smoothness and complexity, perfect for discerning tequila connoisseurs.
7. Herradura
Average Price: from $43-$370/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 80% ABV
Nose: vanilla, oak, agave, caramel
Palate: baking spice, agave, oak, vanilla
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Herradura provides a range of expressions – from its smooth Reposado to its complex Extra Anejo. Its versatility is perfect for sipping straight, over ice, or in a cocktail.
6. Avion Reserva 44
Average Price: approx. $130/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Cooked agave, hazelnuts, vanilla
Palate: roasted agave, oak, leather
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Aged for 44 months, this ultra-premium tequila gives a luxurious experience. With caramel, vanilla, and oak notes, it has a rich and velvety profile that delights the senses.
5. Clase Azul
Average Price: from $134-$3079/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: caramel and agave
Palate: vanilla and caramel
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This is an exceptional tequila brand with a smooth taste, presented in beautiful handcrafted bottles. It delivers a luxurious and memorable experience for tequila enthusiasts.
4. G4 Extra Anejo
Average Price: approx. $125/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: agave, vanilla, pepper
Palate: oak, citrus, vanilla, agave
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Aged for at least three years, it has a sophisticated blend of rich flavors, providing a truly indulgent and memorable tequila experience.
3. Tears of Llorona Extra Anejo
Average Price: approx. $290.58/1L (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Nose: dried fruit, oak, spice
Palate: custard, caramel, dark choco
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This is a rare and one of the high-end tequila brands with complex layers of flavor. It provides a truly extraordinary and captivating sipping experience.
Read: Top Tequilas At BevMo
2. Don Julio 1942
Average Price: approx. $140/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: grassy agave
Palate: spice, oak, vanilla
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: This is a true masterpiece of tequila craftsmanship. We specifically like its vanilla with hints of oak and spice taste, making our every sip enjoyable and relaxing.
“Top-shelf taste, tequila’s grace; luxury in every sip.” – Liquor Laboratory
Don Julio 1942 delivers a luxurious and velvety experience that exemplifies excellence.
1. Gran Patron Burdeos
Average Price: approx. $501.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: wine, agave, oak
Palate: oily and smooth
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: Aged in Bordeaux wine [3] barrels, it exudes a refined profile that delivers a remarkable and indulgent sipping experience.
Note: Prices are based on Drizly, Total Wine, and the official product websites. The star rating was determined based on a blind taste test, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest rating. Each product was evaluated on its overall quality, flavor profile, complexity, smoothness, and overall enjoyment.
FAQs
What is considered a high-end tequila?
High-end tequilas are typically aged longer, made from premium agave, and produced using traditional methods.
They offer complex flavors and smoothness and often come with a higher price tag, exemplifying the pinnacle of tequila craftsmanship.
Does high-end also mean top-shelf tequila?
Yes, high-end tequila also means top-sheld tequilas. Both terms describe premium-quality tequilas, typically more expensive (not always) and esteemed for their exceptional craftsmanship and superior taste.
What distinguishes high-end tequila brands from standard ones?
High-end tequila brands set themselves apart through meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of production, from cultivation and harvesting of agave to distillation and aging processes. They often offer complex flavor profiles and smooth textures.
Are high-end tequila brands worth the investment?
Yes, for enthusiasts seeking the finest tequila experiences, high-end tequila brands are worth the investment. They provide unparalleled quality, distinctive flavors, and a premium drinking experience that can be savored neat or in cocktails.
What types of tequila do high-end brands offer?
High-end tequila brands typically offer a range of expressions, including blanco (unaged), reposado (aged), añejo (extra-aged), and extra añejo (ultra-aged) tequilas. Each type undergoes specific aging processes that contribute to its unique characteristics.
What are some examples of high-end tequila brands?
Some examples of high-end tequila brands include Clase Azul, Don Julio, Patrón, Casa Dragones, Tequila Ocho, Casa Noble, and Casa Herradura. These brands are celebrated for their premium offerings and exceptional craftsmanship.
Can high-end tequila brands be enjoyed in cocktails, or are they best sipped neat?
High-end tequila brands can be enjoyed in cocktails or sipped neat, depending on personal preference. While they shine when sipped on their own to appreciate their complexity, they also elevate cocktails with their refined flavors.
Final Thoughts
In the realm of high-end tequila brands, we hail Gran Patron Burdeos as the ultimate winner. Aged in Bordeaux wine barrels, it boasts an exquisite blend of agave, vanilla, and dark fruit flavors.
With its luxurious profile and exceptional craftsmanship, it stands as a symbol of tequila perfection.
References:
- https://www.britannica.com/plant/Agave
- https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-cocktails-bartending.htm
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bordeaux-wine
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/tequila
