Store shelves and back bars are getting crowded with the plethora of tequila brands. Which ones are the best? That’s a matter of taste, but we have some professional reviews to help guide you. The notes and ratings come from the 16th Annual New York International Spirits Competition. Judges for the NYISC are trade professionals — retailers, bartenders, buyers, etc. — who blind taste products based on price tiers. These ratings and reviews recognize spirits that represent both quality and value.

Double Gold Medal

Cierto Tequila Private Collection Extra Añejo (Cierto Tequila)

Aged four years in French limousin oak gives its deep mahogany hue. The aroma offers rich caramel, toasted oak, vanilla with subtle notes of tobacco. On the palate it’s smooth and velvety along with dark chocolate. A long finish of honey, spice, and refined oak. Meant to be sipped.

Gran Centenario Cristalino (Proximo)

Pours crystal clear with a sweet and inviting aroma of caramel and vanilla. A smoothness and mellowness as it lies across the tongue. The calvados finishing gives it a baked apple profile along with a medley of pears and bananas. The finish is a soft layer of lingering sweetness of light apple. Enjoyed neat or with a large ice ball.

Don Julio 1942 (Proximo)

A pool of golden amber hue sits in your glass from its extended time in the bourbon barrel. The nose has caramelized agave along with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Lies in the mouth with a velvety coating of the tongue of tropical fruit and hints of dark chocolate. The velvety feeling continues with an exceptional smooth finish of vanilla and oak.

1800 Cristalino (Proximo)

A spectactular tequila aged in a mix of oak and port wine casks, but filtered to remove its coloring while keeping its flavor profile of an añejo. Oak and vanilla from its time in the casks with hints of agave on the nose. Dark berries along with agave is present on the edge of the tongue. Fruity notes and light smokiness adds to its warm finish.

400 Conejos (Proximo)

Joven Espadin fills of campfire smokiness with hints of ripe fruit in the nose. A softness not often found in a young mezcal, with a fine balance of smoked wood in the mouth. A well-balanced, clean finish of light pepper that overall makes it a great introduction to young mezcals.

Lobos 1707 Tequila Anejo (Los Lobos)

A golden hue from its time in oak and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The nose has soft spices along with dried fruit from the PX sherry casks. The woodiness in the mouth is balanced with a fruity sweetness of a dried fruit medley with a long, warming smooth finish.

Creyente Tobala (Proximo)

A rare blend of two tobala mezcals from different regions of Oaxaca. A joven with smoky notes mixed with hints of tinges of sweet fruit. Smoke and hints of spice and dark chocolate lie in the mouth followed by a long, warm finish.

Del Maguey Tobala Single Village Mezcal (Pernod Ricard)

A sought-after tobala distilled from high-altitude agave, which yields less per mezcal per piña. Earthy, fruity smokiness fills the nose of this clear mezcal. Silky in the mouth with layers of tropical fruit and hints of pepper. A long, smoky finish with a soft medley of sweet fruit. One meant to be sipped.

Casamigos (Diageo)

Medium amber color for an añejo with oakiness and hints of smoked agave and tropical fruit in the nose. Vanilla and butterscotch like a soft liquid dessert as it lies in the mouth. The finish is smooth and clean with continued hints of vanilla.

Gold Medal

Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Blanco (Cierto Tequila)

A clear blanco after resting in stainless steel for several months. Fresh citrus fruits along with sweet agave on the nose. Citrus fruits including lime and light spice are on the palate. The finish is long but not syrupy, with continued hints of light spice.

Tanteo Blanco (Tanteo Tequila)

A higher ABV of 42.5% brings clarity to this tequila, as it is a clear liquid with tropical fruit and smoked agave on the nose. Tropical fruit and hints of herbal and spice are in the mouth, but still soft for a higher ABV. A clean long finish with layers of tropical fruit and hints of pepper.

Tears of Llorona (Tears of Llorona)

An extra añejo that is aged for nearly five years in mature whiskey, sherry and brandy casks before blended together to give it a deep amber hue. Dark chocolate, dried fruits and hints of ginger fill the nose. All the years in the barrel gives it a smooth, velvety, layered feel in the mouth of dark fruits and chocolate. The finish is long and present, with the continuation of dark chocolate and spice.

Del Maguey Vida de Muertos Single Village Mezcal (Pernod Ricard)

Bottled at 45% ABV and comes from a specific “center cut” by the distiller. Light smoke and agave along with roasted citrus fruits fill the nose. A smooth texture with medium smoke and tropical fruits that lie in the mouth. Clean finish with a light presence of smoke and dried fruit.

TCapri Tequila Blanco (TCapri Tequila)

A clear blanco that is additive free. Light smoke agave with citrus notes and licorice fill the nose. Pepper and dried fruits are on the tongue. It has a clean but smooth finish with continued hints of smoked agave and pepper as a top layer.

Feature photo by Dylan Freedom on Unsplash.

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