The Best Sipping Tequilas of 2023 to Enjoy Neat or on the Rocks
The signature spirit of Jalisco, Mexico, tequila is on the tips of everyone’s tongues—literally. It’s poised to become the top liquor category in the U.S. before the end of the year, according to the 2023 Growth Brands Awards.
“Tequila is one of the fastest-growing spirits globally, and experts anticipate this growth to continue into the next decade," says Lander Otegui, SVP of marketing at Proximo Spirits, producer of Jose Cuervo. "In fact, according to IWSR, tequila recently overtook whiskey to become the second most valuable spirit in the United States, and it is set to surpass vodka by the end of 2023.”
To be sure, it’s buoyed by our aggressive margarita consumption and a slate of celebrity brands hitting the market, seemingly every other week. (Earlier this year, The Rock celebrated selling 1 million cases of his tequila, Teremana.)
The truth of the matter is good sipping tequila is downright delicious—and there happens to be more top shelf stuff to choose from than ever before. Our top pick for the 2023 Men's Journal Spirits Awards, El Tequileño Reposado Rare, is the perfect middle ground between the best añejo and reposado tequilas on the market.
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Why You Should Trust Us
We sip tequila. Like, a lot of tequila. In fact, between the both of us we’ve clocked somewhere in the ballpark of 330 agave-based expressions this year, alone. Relax, it wasn’t in one sitting. Plus, when we sip—especially the good stuff, like what you see below—it’s our job to savor. We also judge spirits competitions in which you often have to spit out the liquid before swallowing it. There are notepads involved and palate cleansers. So, yeah, we take this stuff pretty seriously. In fact, we’ve spent more than a decade getting to know the category, up close, personal, and on the ground in Jalisco whenever possible.
What We Look For When Choosing the Best Sipping Tequila
As you might have guessed, with a sipping spirit, we’re looking for something that’s enjoyable to sip. On its own, with or without ice—but usually the latter, if we’re being honest. When we sample, we want the liquid to be expressive of its native "terroir," the environment where it's produced. We begin by nosing it, and then apply only a measured amount upon our palates. We want something that brings balance, but also that lets the base ingredient, agave, take center stage. The plant should be the star of the show, and it ought to tell us a story, instead of mere tasting notes. It should leave us wanting more.
Best Overall Sipping Tequila: El Tequileño Reposado Rare
This legendary producer from the actual town of Tequila is crafting a reposado unlike any other. To age this 80-proof elixir, the distillery utilizes a massive, 25,000-liter American oak barrel known as a pipón. It slumbers in the vessel for some six years, developing a range of funky wildflower honey and caramelized orchard fruit tonalities along the way. On the finish its nimble, with nectarine and candied citrus. All in all, El Tequileño Reposado Rare offers the richness of an añejo but with the firm agave underpinnings of a gently rested reposado.
Best Blanco Sipping Tequila: Tequila Ocho Plata Puntas
If you’re confused by this tequila’s name, that’s OK. Puntas isn’t a type. It refers to the point of the distillation run in which the spirit is found—right in between the head and the heart. This overproof version of Tequila Ocho Plata (50.5 percent ABV) is loaded with ripe agave flavor as well as tropical fruits, caramel, and toasted vanilla beans.
Related: The Best Irish Whiskey Brands to Drink in 2023
Best Reposado Sipping Tequila: Quintaliza Reposado
This well-crafted repo receives a secondary maturation in ex-coffee barrels. The unique aging process results in a roasted, chocolatey nose, as you might suspect. And yet, Quintaliza retains a verdant, vegetal essence in each sip. Despite the unconventional cooperage, this is a liquid distilled by a firm traditionalist: fourth-generation maestra tequilera Iliana Partida. Her deep-rooted knowledge and expertise is evident in every sip of this eminently complex 80-proof spirit.
Best Añejo Sipping Tequila: Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva
We've been eagerly awaiting a special release like Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva, another stunner from the storied brand. The añejo was aged for 18 months in American oak, French oak, acacia wood, and cherry wood barrels. This results in a slightly spicy tequila with notes of cinnamon, chocolate, oak, vanilla, and dried fruits.
Best Celebrity Sipping Tequila: Flecha Azul Blanco
In a world increasingly populated by white celebrity brand owners, Flecha Azul stands apart. Founded by pro golfer Abraham Ancer and Aron Marquez, Flecha Azul Tequila is produced, owned, and operated by a multi-generational family. They've been making tequila since 1840—starting with Flecha Azul Blanco, which is crisp, refreshing, and bright, leaning on agave’s sweetness.
Related: The 25 Best Craft Gins to Drink in 2023
More Sipping Tequilas We Love
