Best tequila 2020

Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Did you know that tequila is technically a type of mezcal?

We now have access to better tequila than ever before, and thus, much better margaritas. However, it should be noted that while tequila's quality has improved in many cases, those positive gains have come at a cost, and not just a higher price tag, which encourage you to read more about that here. Here's a recap on the basics of tequila as covered on the Agave main page:. Tequila is made from the agave plant which looks like a cactus but is actually a relative of asparagus. There are hundreds of species of agave, but only the blue weber agave agave tequiliana , may be used to make tequila. Tequila can only be produced in 5 Mexican states.

Best tequila 2020

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. In fact, if you take a deeper dive, you'll discover tequilas you can enjoy on their own, says Crystal Chasse, beverage director of Talk Story Rooftop in Brooklyn, New York. What she's describing is what's called a sipping tequila. If you're a fan of the varied flavors that emerge from pure agave look to an unaged bottling that can showcase the aromatic, peppery, and floral qualities of the plant. Reposados, on the other hand, are barrel-aged for two months to a year, and they should be mellow, he says. The various barrels used for aging— former cognac casks , heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels—bring a diversity of expression to the spirit. With an incredibly varied landscape of distilleries and brands, with new labels seemingly launching overnight, it can be hard to keep up with the ever-changing state of the tequila industry. Still, in , our top pick is the Tequila Ocho Plata.

There are technically 5 categories, but 3 major ones. Use limited data to select advertising.

And thus, Tequila was born. Oddly enough, that basic technique has never changed, in spite of the fact that tequila has now been around for over half a millennium. And yet, it keeps reinventing itself, but never more dramatically than during the past 20 years. Like Cognac and scotch, tequila is geographically protected. Immature agaves produce shallow and bitter-tasting tequilas, and any tequila that uses less than percent agaves is a mixto , a sugary flavored concoction hardly worth pouring. How long? Older than that, the barrels tend to dominate the spirit, often making it woody and overpowering.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Every spirit has its "moment"—sometimes more than once—and just like whiskey in the pre-prohibition era, rum in the midcentury tiki craze, and vodka in the swingin' sixties and seventies, tequila is currently the darling of the spirits world. Nutrition consultants saddle it with various health claims some more dubious than others , and it seems like every day that yet another celebrity again, some more dubious than others is launching a new tequila brand. However, to longtime aficionados like Grover and Scarlet Sanschagrin, the Jalisco-based founders of the website Tequila Matchmaker , there's something to be said for the old, artisan production methods and for the flavors they yield: herbs, spices, and the briny, bittersweet signature of agave. Our top pick is cult favorite Fuenteseca Cosecha based on its ripe agave base, artisanal production methods, and rich concentration of flavors.

Best tequila 2020

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission. Belying the fact that it has been around for over years—or maybe because of it— tequila is now the second fastest-growing spirit category in the United States, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the U. This is one of the most meticulously crafted ultra-premium tequilas to recently make its debut. Not so with Loco. They use only the heart, without redistilling the heads or tails. Co-founder Pepe Hermosillo does things a little differently than most other tequileros , from using all certified organic ingredients to distilling his tequila three times, where the vast majority of other brands by law are distilled twice. That third distillation refines the finished product without dulling it down. Hermosillo selected his agave fields carefully, in the volcanic soil of the mountains of western Jalisco. That rich earthiness, along with undertones of cracked pepper and light notes of vanilla, is reflected in the tequila.

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But first, here's everything you need to know about tequila before buying. Villa Lobos. Their strong, sweet vanilla undertones play well in heavy sauces and marinades that themselves are a little sweet. Along with his 80 proof Tequila Ocho, this is a favorite drink for legendary tequila maker Carlos Camarena of El Tesoro fame. Whisky Of The Year - St. The various barrels used for aging— former cognac casks , heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels—bring a diversity of expression to the spirit. Stylistically they can range from fruity to herbaceous to vegetal to earthy. Jose Cuervo is a solid option if you're making drinks for a large crowd, since it's very affordable. Though this is a silver tequila expression, it is the gold standard for an expressive sipping tequila that is complex enough to savor and has an approachable price tag to boot. Only individually numbered decanters are being released at select fine spirits stores worldwide, as well as on Blockbar. As the name suggests, blanco tequila is the clearest in color and goes well in mixed drinks or as a complement to traditional Mexican recipes.

And thus, the double distillation of this geographically protected spirit has been allowed to continue. Photo: courtesy Riazul. You can practically feel the elegance emanating from this handsomely bottled four-year-old amber tequila, which has spent its first three years maturing in American ex-bourbon barrels before receiving a robust final year in Oloroso Sherry casks.

The difference is all in the aging process. For aged tequilas, Hurley advises dark chocolate. Blanco aka plata, platinum, silver or white tequila is the most common tequila used cocktails, including the margarita, the most popular cocktail in the U. Best Cristalino Tequila. A Tequila has a deeply fragrant aroma and a smooth, long-lasting finish. For some honey and toasted notes, try a reposado. The distillery where it's made uses a mix of grinding methods: an efficient roller mill and traditional tahona , a millstone carved from volcanic rock. You get almonds, apples and olives on the nose. Related: The Best Reposado Tequilas. It's made with percent blue agave, is distilled three times, and punches far above its weight. Aroma is fresh and floral with notes of citrus and sweet roasted agave.