With so many options available on the market, have you ever wondered which tequila is best?

We're seeing more and more different beverage options on the market. This is because its production has been growing over the years.

According to an article published by UOL in 2020, production increased from 312 million liters in 2018 to 351.7 million in 2019, that is, it grew by 12%.

As a result, various brands and types of Mexican spirits are appearing on the shelves, leaving us confused when deciding which tequila is best.

In this article, we'll present some important points that will help you choose the best drink, teach you the differences between the different types of spirits, and how to enjoy a good tequila.

How to choose the best tequila

Since there are variations of the drink in terms of flavor and aroma, each of these types can be ideal for every taste and situation.

So, remember that answering the question "what is the best tequila?" is not so simple.

What are the most important points when choosing your best tequila?

1. AGAVE PERCENTAGE

To understand this item, we have to know that there are two groups of distillates:

Tequila

This type contains at least 51% agave, which is the plant that gives rise to the Mexican drink, as a source of sugar.

The remaining 49% comes from other sources, such as sugar cane, beets, or corn fructose.

You can already see that this group uses less noble fermentation ingredients, making the drink sweeter and more artificial.

These types are easily found, such as Jose Cuervo Especial and Sauza Silver and Gold.

100% Agave Tequila

This is the only group that receives a 100% agave seal on the packaging (which makes searching easier!).

The only source of sugar in this product is agave, which makes it purer and more natural.

This group also has greater rigor in production, is refined and very tasty.

As if that weren't enough, this type is less likely to leave you with a hangover the next day.

It's worth taking all of this into account when thinking about which tequila is best, right?

2. AGAVE MATURATION

According to Clayton Szczech, holder of the title "Tequila Expert" and founder of the website Experience Agave , this plant takes five to ten years of cultivation to reach maturity.

The riper the agave is at harvest, the more sugars it produces, and the better the product. Ideally, it should be grown for at least eight years.

If you want to understand this super interesting subject, take a look at our article on the tequila production process .

3. AGING

This method is not required for a tequila to be of quality, but for those who enjoy aged products, such as whiskey or cognac, this item is important.

The aging method adds notes of vanilla and caramel to the final flavor. The longer it sits in the barrels, the more flavor and color it acquires!

Aging method

The drink is aged in oak barrels. Typically, American whiskey barrels that have only been used once are used, but the rule states that any type of oak can be used.

Another important aspect in deciding which tequila is best is that the aging process is not mandatory for a quality drink.

There are classes of distillate that are not aged and are among the best options, and it all depends on your preference and the environment in which the drink is consumed.

If you've read our basic tequila knowledge article , you already know that 100% agave is divided into five classes.

Come and understand the differences between them, following the rules of the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT) , the Mexican body that is the highest authority on the subject:

Silver or Blanco Tequila

Distillates of this type do not normally undergo the aging process, although they can remain in barrels for up to two months.

Many silver tequilas are considered to be of very high quality.

In 2017, Forbes magazine listed the 13 best tequilas to try and brands such as Gran Centenario Plata and Don Julio Silver were cited as examples of drinks in this class.

This class of distillate, precisely because it is not aged, has a less woody and cleaner flavor, perfect for use in cocktails.

For those unsure about which tequila to choose, this class could be a good option for those just starting to understand more about the subject.

Tequila Gold or Young

Don't be fooled by the name gold: the category is named this way because it has a more yellowish color compared to silver.

This group requires a little attention for those looking for a quality option.

This is because, according to Clayton Szczech, the characteristic gold color can come from the addition of caramel coloring in cases of lower quality tequilas.

If you're wondering which tequila is best to buy, be aware that this type isn't the purest on the market.

In the 100% agave group, the gold class comes from the mixture between a silver and an aged type of the drink, which already has a woody color.

Reposado Tequila

The Reposado class are drinks that are aged in barrels for 61 days to 12 months.

They usually have a mild vanilla and caramel flavor, from the burnt oak, and a yellowish color.

This type is perfect for those wondering which tequila is best for lovers of flavorful drinks, but who don't yet know much about the world of spirits.

Añejo Tequila

This class has drinks that have been aged for at least one year, so they are more complex in flavor, with intense woody notes, vanilla and a sweet aroma.

We usually only have 100% agave tequila of this type, as they are refined and also more expensive products.

They are made to be enjoyed slowly, so don't even think about taking shots with this class!

Extra Añejo Tequila

This is the most expensive and refined type of distillate, as it spends at least three years resting in barrels.

This variety has distinct oak notes and an intense agave flavor. It pairs well with desserts at the end of a meal.

Alcohol content

To determine the alcohol content of a drink, a hydrometer is used. The more alcohol the liquid contains, the lower its density.

The alcohol content of tequilas varies depending on their aging process and the type of spirit. Most Mexican spirits contain between 38 and 40% alcohol.

If you're interested in this topic, check out our article on the alcohol content of different famous drinks!

Bottle size

Most tequilas on the market are sold in 750 ml bottles. This size is also common for other beverages, such as wine. Some tequila brands also offer other marketable sizes, ranging from 50 ml to 1.75 L.

When tasting, how to enjoy the best tequila?

Since there are a few variables when it comes to choosing the best tequila, check out some tips for enjoying any type of Mexican spirit like a pro:

✔️ Forget the shot glass: serve the drink little by little in medium-sized glasses (like white wine glasses). This keeps the liquid at the ideal temperature and oxygenated.

✔️ Oxygenating the liquid helps enhance its aromas and flavors. Swirl the glass as if stirring the drink, allowing it to come into contact with the air.

✔️ Before actually drinking the tequila, always take a small first sip. This will give you a stronger initial taste. Then, take a deep breath, take another sip (this one to taste the liquid), and exhale.

✔️ When you release the air, the flavor of the drink is amplified and becomes pleasant and smooth.

Now that you know the best tips about the world of tequila, take the opportunity to try our tequila, passion fruit, lime and agave syrup drink !

Conclusion

With so many different types of drinks on the ever-growing market, it's hard to know which tequila is best.

But knowing how to recognize the points of attention for a quality drink and its different types and uses, the task becomes easy.

The world of tequilas is very rich and can be explored without fear, as there are ideal drinks for every taste and situation in our lives!

Flavia Godoy
Former tour guide passionate about travel, culture, exciting conversations and good drinks!