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Tequila is a controversial spirit. It seems you either love it or you hate it, but we think if you hate it you just haven’t tried the right one.
It almost goes without saying, but the kind of tequila you take a shot of and have to immediately chase with a slice of lime to avoid gagging isn’t the best quality one out there, and there are many more to choose from that can be drunk in a less extreme manner.
In order to help you choose the tequila for you, we’ve answered all the most frequently asked questions about the spirit, as well as a round-up the 18 best you can buy in the UK.
What cocktails are made with tequila?
Maybe you’re not someone who knocks back tequila shots with the salt and lime, but chances are if you like cocktails you might be a tequila fan without even knowing it.
Tequila is the hero ingredient of some of the world’s most prolific cocktails. There are the obvious ones like margaritas and Tequila Sours, but tequila can also be found in Old Fashions, Martinis, Mexican Mules, Tequila Sunrise, and a whole lot more.
Once you start making tequila cocktails and realize how much a good quality tequila can elevate your cocktail game, you’ll never go back.
Can I sip tequila?
If you’ve only ever sampled the kind of cheap and nasty tequila usually found at student bars, the idea of sipping it straight probably makes your stomach turn.
But if you invest in a well made, high-quality tequila (hint, hint: look at the list below) you should be able to sip on it over ice and actually enjoy the distinct – yet definitely delicious – flavour.
How strong is tequila?
Tequila is a spirit, and like most other spirits, it is quite strong. Usually ranging from 35 to 40 percent alcohol content, which is the same as other popular spirits like vodka, whisky, and gin.
Because of the strong level of alcohol, you do need to be careful not to over-consume – but the same can be said of all alcoholic beverages. Moderation is key to not waking up with an epic hangover.
Are there different types of tequila?
Yes, there are three main varieties of tequila. These are:
-Blanco
– Reposado
– Añejo
Blanco isn’t aged in oak barrels, making it the purest kind of tequila that expresses the agave’s natural flavours and better captures the region where it was grown. This kind of tequila can also be known as white or silver tequila.
Reposado is tequila that has been stored in American or French oak barrels for between two months and one year, in which time it develops a distinct flavour while still retaining some notes of the original agave.
Añejo is aged the longest out of the three varieties and is kept in the barrel for one to three years. During this time in the barrel, it absorbs some flavour from the wood which gives it a sophisticated, distinct flavour. This time in the barrel also intensifies the colour and gives it a more caramel flavour rather than acidic.
For the 18 best Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas in the UK, keep scrolling.
Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila
Made from 100 percent blue agave that was grown in the Jalisco highlands and then aged for up to eight months, this tequila is smooth and balanced.
Notes of oranges, roasted nuts, and cooked agave can be tasted in this tequila, which makes it perfect to be sipped neat or in cocktails like the Altos Honey Highball.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 38 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£32)
Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado Tequila
Dating back to 1975, Jose Cuervo Tequila is as authentic as it gets.
Made from high-quality agave and aged in oak barrels for up to six months, Especial Reposado is a top-tier tequila – smooth, clean, and crisp.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 38 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£21)
Don Julio Reposado Tequila
There’s a reason Don Julio Tequila is such a staple in pop culture – it’s in a league of its own.
Tantalizingly smooth with notes of cinnamon, honey, and chocolate mean this tequila goes down almost too well, with a golden amber colour that looks as good as it tastes.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 38 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£42.95)
Patrón Silver Tequila
Featured in raps by icons like Snoop Dogg, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, this is tequila for those at the top of their game.
Made from Weber blue agave, Patrón is distilled in small batches in order to keep the quality to the highest level possible, leaving you with a tequila that is smooth, sweet, with an almost undetectable pepper finish.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£42.95)
Casamigos Blanco Tequila
Founded by George Clooney, this 100 percent blue agave tequila is just as smooth and striking as the man himself.
The multi-award-winning tequila is clean and crisp, with light hints of citrus, vanilla, and sweet agave.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£45)
El Rayo Reposado Tequila
Made in Mexico from 100 percent blue agave, this tequila is a unique single ingredient, natural tequila.
Designed to be paired with tonic as an alternative to the UK’s beloved G&T’s the cinnamon, orange, and fresh herb notes give this tequila a rich complexity that will leave you wanting more.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£37.95)
Código 1530 Rosa Tequila
While a mix of tequila and Cabernet might not sound like something that would taste good, this delicious tequila will prove you wrong.
Blending pure Blanco tequila with the soft notes of Cabernet, this is a smooth tequila with a lightly floral finish.
Código’s secret is to leave the tequila in the Cabernet barrels long enough to enrich the agave juice without overpowering the delicate flavour profile.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 35 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£55)
Storywood Tequila
Storywood Tequila is an award-winning, single malt, barrel-aged tequila that has been designed to taste smooth enough to sip on.
Tasting notes of caramel, oak, vanilla, and honey on the earthy base of agave work together to create a tequila that tastes so good you wouldn’t dare dilute it with tonic or waste it on a shot.
Key specifications:
Type: Añejo | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£53.25)
Olmeca Altos Tequila Plata
Made from blue agave grown in the Los Altos highlands of Mexico, this spirit embodies a classic tequila with a modern edge.
A balance of sweet, citrus, and herbal notes work together to create a tequila that’s fresh, flavorful and delicious in cocktails.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 700ml| Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£28.20)
Espolon Reposado Super Premium Tequila
Spice, caramel, and chocolate come together in this premium tequila to produce a rich flavour that has a sweet and spicy fade.
The golden shade of this spirit is warm and decadent and feels like a luxury to sip.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£27.50)
El Jimador Reposado Tequila
A light tequila that has been aged in oak barrels for eight weeks before bottling, this spirit has a woody taste and notes of menthol and pepper.
Made from 100 percent mature blue agave, this is a tequila that true tequila-lovers will appreciate.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 38 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£22.99)
PASOTE Reposado Tequila
A light, golden tequila with a balanced flavour that includes notes of coconut, American oak and agave.
This tequila is rich yet mellow, giving you a distinctly warm feeling as you sip it.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 750ml
Buy: Amazon (£56.20)
Agavero Flavoured Tequila
This tequila is a little different from the more traditional variations but still delicious.
Blending two kinds of tequila, Reposado and Añejo, Agavero is dark, rich, and smooth with an unparalleled taste.
Key specifications:
Type: Reposado and Añejo | Alcohol content: 32 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£36.99)
Ocho Blanco Tequila
Traditionally made through a slow cooking process, this 100 percent Blue Agave tequila has a distinct flavour that is brought to life by the unwavering attention to detail in the production process.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 500ml
Buy: Amazon (£25.94)
VIVIR Tequila Añejo
Housed in a luxe bottle, this tequila blends Mexican tradition with classic British sophistication in order to give you the best of both worlds.
The high-quality Añejo tequila is aged for 18 months in bourbon casks in order to give the flavour an edge of caramel and vanilla.
If you’re a whisky or rum drinker who’s keen to find a tequila you like, this one combines the best parts of all these spirits – making it a pretty safe bet.
Key specifications:
Type: Añejo | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£43.49)
Herradura Plata Tequila
The citrus character of this tequila is tangy and strong, with notes of vanilla and anise that make it a perfect addition to a truly sublime margarita.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£38.28)
Fortaleza Blanco Tequila
Handcrafted, artisanal, and bursting with flavour, this 100 percent stone crushed tequila goes down delightfully smooth with its notes of black pepper, earth, and butter.
Key specifications:
Type: Blanco | Alcohol content: 40 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£56.39)
CleanCo Clean T
For those who don’t drink but miss that smooth, crisp taste of tequila – you’ll love this alcohol-free tequila from CleanCo.
A modern take on a Blanco tequila, the notes of earthy, oak, green olive, and melon make sure this tequila has all the taste of tequila with none of the regrets.
Key specifications:
Type: Alcohol-free Blanco | Alcohol content: 0 percent | Bottle size: 700ml
Buy: Amazon (£19)
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