Does anyone have a recommdation for premium tequila?

Question

i lean more to anejo or reposado but i do partake in younger tequila when i want something harsh and grittier. here are a few that i like but if anyone has any other suggestions and why they like it...i'd be more than willing to try others out : )

El Charro

100 anos

3 Caballeros

Azteca Azul

Corazon

1800

Patron

Gran centenario

Tres Generaciones

x*x Tequila

gahh...this list is gonna get too long but you get the idea.

Answer 1

Many drink it, but unfortunately most do not really fully understand it or appreciate it.

That's because in the US, it's largely marketed to college kids as a way to get "crazy", which is largely missing the true nature of tequila.

As you'll all see from the other answers, the word "premium" is quite subjective. It's also based on experience with tequila too, as anyone who knows anything about tequila in any real way would not say Cuervo, unless they were referencing their Tradicional or Reserva de la Familia, which are the only 2 Cuervo-labeled tequilas they make that are any good.

Patron too, while good, is often mentioned because they spend more marketing dollars than any other tequila company, and thus when college kids are ready to move up from Cuervo, they often go to Patron as they see it advertised so much, and their exploration stops there. Make no mistake, Patron isn't bad by any means. But you can get better for less.

Some tequilas are very "oaky" as they have been aged in oak barrels (often used Jack Daniel's barrels) so they pick up a woodys flavor.  Some are kind of fruity tasting. Some can be a bit peppery.

Also to get the correct tequila experience, don't drink anything that doesn't say 100% agave (like junk like regular Cuervo or Sauza). These are cheap poorly made tequilas designed to sell to college kids to get drunk. They are only 51% real tequila, and the rest are fillers like corn syrup and grain alcohol (and thus the hangover the next day is born).

Also consider how you're going to drink it.

Slammed shots - go for a blanco. Anything else is a waste of flavor and $$

Sipped shots (how I recommend it) - go for anejo only and savor with no salt and a squeeze of lime. Chilled or on the rocks is good as is straight.

Margarita - anejo is a waste, especially if the place isn't using fresh squeezed lime juice. Go for blanco or reposado.

The aging has a lot to do with the taste, so try a few to see which style you like best, and then remember how the aging is labeled:

Blanco (because it's totally clear) - no aging. Sometimes called silver or white.

Reposado - minimally aged at least 2 months, but can be up to 1 year. Sometimes called gold.

Anejo - heavily aged, minimally 1 year but less than 3 years.

The really expensive ones can even be aged longer than regular anejos, and these are often referred to as ultra anejos.

All that being said, many in your list are good everyday tequilas, but not what most people would call "premium".

If price is no object, and you want the very best, get Herradura Seleccion Suprema. It's considered an ultra-anejo. It's about $320/bottle or about $30/shot. It's an ultra anejo tequila aged for 5 years. Dark brown in color and more like a smooth cognac or bourbon than a cheap tequila.

The best tequilas in the world are ultra anejos that have been aged for years, the Suprema being my favorite.

You can also check out Don Julio 1942, Don Julio Real, Jose Cuervo de la Familia and Gran Patron (sometimes called Platinum), all of which fall into the same category.

If you want an excellent tequila for under $100, look for:

Corzo

Dos Lunas

Cabo Wabo

El Jimador anejo

Answer 2

No I don't have a recommendation.

Te-qui-la.....Te-kill-ya, do you see the corelation here???

Answer 3

Milagro -- best darn tequila out there.

Answer 4

Have you tried El Tesoro? I was recently at an event where the owner of that distillery spoke to us (send me a private note if you want details - I put it on my blog). I am not a tequila conoisseur, however someone at my table was (chef at a 5* restaurant) and was overjoyed at the tasting. I was however in awe of Carlos, the third-generation owner, who has an excellent business ethic that shows in his fine product. The price matches it though!

Answer 5

I definitely recommend Hussongs... I went to a restaurant about 6 months ago and we all took shots for a friends Birthday. It was one of the smoothest Tequillas I've ever had.

Answer 6

patron and jose do the job very well

Answer 7

Caba Wabo by Sammy Hagar....sooooo smooth

Answer 8

This is my absolute favorite - Clase Azul.

First had it on vacation in Riviera Maya at a tasting event on the resort.  We got to sample some of the super premium batches like Don Julio Real (>$350 USD for 750ML) but I found this to be far and away the best for the money.  

http://www.tastings.com/scout_spirits.la...

Answer 9

Among your list: Gran centenario

But my personal favourite is Herradura

Espolon is also quite good, but hard to find unless you live near the border.

Answer 10

Sauza is a pretty good tequilla, although i like the white tequilla better (It's not quite as harsh).  Patron Platinum (very expensive) dosne't hardly taste like tequilla, and it has almost a sweet aftertaste.

Answer 11

Herradura is one of my favorites.