Which brand of Tequila tastes the best?

Question

what brand seems to taste the best? I want to like margaritas but the tequila I've had was just so nasty!

Answer 1

For years, I've thought the Don Julio anejo was better than Patron's offering. Just recently, Don Julio went from being more expensive than Patron to *less* expensive! Not sure why, but I can get hangovers with Patron, but almost never with Don Julio.

Sauza, Cuervo and any other non-100% agave distillate is garbage. 1800 reposado is a decent one, but not as good as Patron.

My two pesos ;)

Answer 2

Patron. It's pure from the agave plant, smooth, and doesn't give you a hangover. Every bottle is unique and numbered.

Answer 3

Patron is really good!!! Although it is really expensive and not really for margaritas.  I would use like a Jose Cuervo for margaritas.

Answer 4

PATRON is my friend...

Answer 5

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 "best" 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.

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.

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.

In a more normal price range, tequilas I would recommend if you are looking for one that is "smooth":

Cazadores

Herradura

Don Julio

Corzo  (please note this is not Cuervo)

Pura Sangre

Centinela

Cabo Wabo

Arette

Dos Lunas

Answer 6

Casa Noble.

Two things though, when choosing a vodka make sure it's 100% Agave, what tequila is made from. Lower quality tequila only has 10-25% agave. Also to make good margaritas it's usually a good idea to add some liqueur.

Answer 7

cuervo gold is the best for margaritas...

Answer 8

1800 Reposado

Answer 9

I always go with Patron.