Tequila is the kind of drink that heats any party.
It makes for the perfect shot when you’re out with your friends or even an exquisite sipping drink when paired with your dinner. There are plenty of reasons to enjoy tequila, so why not discover some new brands for this fall? It helps to know which brands are considered the best tequila brands in 2021, after all. From reposados and añejos to Blancos and mixtos, here are eight of the finest tequilas you can enjoy in 2021.
Tequila is unique because these tasty spirits come from only one place on Earth: Jalisco, Mexico. The agave plants used to make tequila are grown under strict guidelines for soil, climate, and location. It’s also important to note that the agave plants must be mature before the hearts (called piñas) can be harvested for production.
Although other types of tequila might come from other regions in Mexico, those made in Jalisco must follow certain guidelines to call themselves “tequila.” This means they need to be produced using only blue agave as well as distilled within Jalisco. All tequila brands produced outside of this region cannot use the word “tequila” because it is a protected term under Mexican law.
Jalisco tequilas are typically 70% pure agave alcohol while those produced outside of this state tend to have less than 40%. It is also possible to produce tequila with 100% agave for a stronger flavor.
Below is a list of the finest tequila brands to sip this fall.
1. El Jimador
This tequila brand is extremely successful and makes for a great value tequila. It comes in several varieties, including an Ultra-Premium Tequila that is aged 6 years in American whiskey barrels. That particular bottle has won more than 20 awards, making it one of the top tequilas around today.
El Jimador also makes two blanco tequilas with 41% ABV. These are especially popular among younger drinkers because they are easy to mix into cocktails or shots.
2. Tequila Ocho Plata
This is one of the finest Blancos on the market in 2021 thanks to its minty flavor and clean finish with notes of citrus and honeycomb. This is an excellent sipping tequila with only 40% ABV so it’s not too harsh on the palate.
Tequila Ocho Plata also makes an extra-añejo tequila which is aged for up to 5 years in American white oak barrels. This particular bottle is especially striking because it has hand-blown glass packaging that’s etched with gold leaf.
3. Corralejo
This popular brand of Mexico is one of the finest tequila brands that you should consider trying. It’s known for its triple distillation process that includes using a copper pot still, then a column still before finishing through the copper pot one more time. This type of distillation helps to give Corralejo Reposado an extremely smooth taste perfect for sipping or mixing into cocktails.
Corralejo also makes two Blanco tequilas with 41% ABV as well as an extra-añejo tequila aged for up to five years in American white oak barrels.
4. T1 Tequila
T1 produced under best circumstances is a tequila brand that belongs in the hands of those who appreciate a good drink. It’s produced by Master Distiller Germán González. Only mature Mexican agave plants from the highlands are used in distillery while making sure to maintain a higher concentration of natural sugar.
Aged for long in Scotch barrels, T1 is amongst the finest reposados tequilas that you can enjoy. It’s a brand known for its numerous connections: Germán González’s father also launched the first ultra-premium tequila imported into the United States: Chinaco.
T1 also produces a Blanco tequila which is aged for three months in stainless steel tanks to give it a clean taste while still maintaining all of the natural characteristics of its agave plant home. In addition, this tequila also comes with an extra-añejo bottle where it is aged in American white oak barrels for at least twelve months.
5. Gran Dovejo Blanco Tequila
Another fine sipping tequila is Gran Dovejo which hails from Mexico’s El Maguey distillery located in Santiago Mazatlan, Oaxaca (which is known as the birthplace of mezcal). The Gran Dovejo Blanco has a subtle agave flavor with a rich, creamy texture and hints of citrus.
Gran Dovejo also makes an extra-añejo tequila which is aged for up to five years in American white oak barrels. This particular bottle is especially striking because it has hand-blown glass packaging that’s etched with gold leaf.
6. El Tesoro
This tequila brand is one of the finest tequilas around and has been around for over 130 years. It comes in five different varieties: Blanco, reposado, añejo, extra-añejo as well as and ultra-premium. With such a large selection, it’s easy to find something that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
El Tesoro also produces an extra-añejo aged for at least twelve months where it’s stored in American oak barrels giving it a sweet and spicy flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel that thoroughly please the palate. This particular bottle sits on many shelves thanks to its elegant design that includes hand-blown glass and hand-etched 24-karat gold.
7. Don Julio
This best-selling tequila brand is one of the finest tequila brands available and is also known for its numerous awards and accolades. Produced by Master Distiller Carlos Camarena, Don Julio Blanco has a very crisp and clean taste with notes of citrus and mint.
Don Julio produces an extra-añejo aged in American oak barrels which allows it to develop a rich flavor full of vanilla undertones that last long on the palate. This particular bottle sits on many shelves thanks to its elegant design that includes hand-blown glass and hand-etched 24-karat gold.
8. Partida
Partida Mexicano Tequila makes up part of Paco Fox’s portfolio which also includes Casa Noble and Porfidio. Partida is produced at La Alteña Distillery in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco.
Partida Blanco has a smooth flavor with citrus and pepper notes as well as hints of vanilla and chocolate undertones. This brand takes the cake for its elegant 24-karat bottle design complete with hand-blown glass and 24 karat gold etching which makes it stand out on any liquor store shelf.
Partida Anejo Tequila has a much more complex flavor profile than that of its Blanco counterpart thanks to additional aging for over one year which also allows the beautiful color to take shape. It’s made from 100% blue weber agave tequila and hints of chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, and pepper.
Partida also produces a reposado, extra-añejo, and an ultra-premium. These bottles have a stunningly elegant design complete with hand-blown glass and 24 karat gold etching which makes them stand out on any liquor store shelf.
9. Herradura
Founded in 1870, the brand remained under the radar for many years but started to gain notoriety in 2002 when it won gold medals at international spirit rating competitions.
Herradura Silver hails from Jalisco, Mexico where it undergoes a five-step distillation process that begins with crushing and cooking agave plants through twelve feet of volcanic-stone ovens. Its cooked agave is then distilled three times before being sent over to France for filtration which allows it to achieve its crisp, clean taste complete with hints of pepper, fruit, and vanilla. The brand also produces an extra-añejo tequila which has spent up to two years aging in French oak barrels giving it a remarkably smooth flavor full of caramel, raisins, and chocolate undertones.
Don’t regret the extra expense when buying one of these nine finest tequilas. They are all worth the price and will make great conversation pieces during the upcoming holiday season.
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