# What are some decent brands of tequila I can try? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 23, 2017, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024 "2017-09-23T08:23:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BuckChongo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@BuckChongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckChongo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/21 "2017-09-25T00:37:16Z")
I drink a bit of Tequila every day and have tried a lot of them. Partial to the cheap Cien de Agave blancos, never buy any Tequila that is not labeled 100% Agave. Right now I’m enjoying some Exotico at 10.00 for a 750. Clean and smooth, actually a bit too clean as I prefer a Tequila with a lot of personality. I start at the head of the Tequila aisle, lots of stuff 150.00 a bottle, but that’s enough money for a pretty decent hooker so I don’t start shopping until at least halfway down the aisle, Luna Azul usually shows up in the 25.00 range, I used to get it for 7.50 a bottle til it got popular. There’s Hacienda Vieja, Cabrito, Agavales, Torado, always something new it’s fun to try them, but I draw the line at plastic bottles. My friend Horacio used to bring me a bottle of Patron every time he went to Mexico, i thanked him for getting the expensive stuff but he laughed and said it was 8.00 US in Mexico. If you ever see it get a bottle of Don Juan Matus and drink a toast to C. Castaneda, the Tequila predates the Wizard of the same name. ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/22 "2017-09-26T19:08:03Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > The only tequila I have ever tried is Jose Cuervo, which I did not enjoy. Saffer. Dude. First thing: Jose Cuervo is swill, strictly for frat boys. Seriously, the shit isn’t even real tequila. JC can be as much as 40% sugarcane or grain neutral spirits. How they can sell it as tequila up here in the States is beyond me. Now on to the real stuff. Anejo or reposado tequila (the gold tinged fluid) is nearly always superior to the white, which Mexicans in Mexico refer to as “joven” - young -tequila. In my not at all humble opinion, anyway. Like brandy or bourbon, it gets better after sitting around in barrels for a good long while. _Trabadoro_ is pretty good tequila. _Hornitos_ is _very_ good tequila. And _Cazadores Reposado_ is very fine tequila indeed., perhaps the apogee of the maguey. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/23 "2017-09-26T19:55:44Z")
Another vote for Herradura ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/24 "2017-09-27T04:13:29Z")
I recently bought a bottle of Costco tequila and it was excellent (I believe their brand is called ‘Kirkland’). I tried it because a few weeks prior, someone brought a bottle of Costco/Kirkland Vodka to a party we had & it tasted exactly like Grey Goose. I later learned that Kirkland/Costco vodka comes from the same distillery as GG, but it’s about 1/4 of the price. FYI they have a few different varieties of tequila (all 100% agave)–the one I tried was Silver. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/25 "2017-09-27T05:34:57Z")
Tres Generaciones Añejo is some freaking fantastic sipping tequila. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/26 "2017-09-27T14:57:32Z")
> [@Jack\_Burden](#): > > Another vote for Herradura Add one more vote. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/27 "2017-09-27T18:08:23Z")
+1 for Herradura and Don Julio in any form. I’m also partial to the offerings from [Casa Cofradia](https://www.facebook.com/CofradiaVallarta/) but I’ve only ever seen it in PV. Cuervo is swill, and best only when slurped off an 18 yo beach bunny’s bellybutton. Even then, you should probably be already drunk…and single. ---
**Author:** ![fjs1fs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/28 "2017-09-27T18:34:37Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > My go to recommendation for someone who wants a sipping tequila is Herradura Anejo. > > Patron is the most famous of the easy to find brands, but to me is a bit over hyped for the price. Still, if you are going to do shots Patron Silver is a quality tequila shot and makes a fine Margarita (aka, the finest mixed drink in the world.) > > So there you are. 1 anejo, 1 reposado, and one blanco to try. All pretty good all readily available everywhere. All mid priced and representative of their style. Sip the first two, mix/shoot the third. > > Have fun. Report back. I have seen a few mentions of Patron on here, and that has been the go-to tequila for most people I have known who buy tequila. I will add that 90% of the tequila we drink is probably in margaritas, as I agree with the point here that it can easily be considered “the finest mixed drink in the world.” So when I just started seeing my GF about a year ago, I was happy that she really enjoyed margaritas. Patron was her tequila of choice. We decided to do a fun blind taste test of shots between Patron silver and Kirkland (aka Costco) silver. The results: we both QUICKLY gave the nod to Kirkland. We also drank margaritas using both tequilas to ensure that the Kirkland was also at least as good as the Patron when mixed–and we were very satisfied. The accountant in me was as happy as the drunk in me, as we now save about 60% on our tequila purchases. My advice: try this at home! Damn, Enola beat me to it!!! ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/29 "2017-09-27T18:54:33Z")
> [@DLuxN8R-13](#): > > And _Cazadores Reposado_ is very fine tequila indeed., perhaps the apogee of the maguey. I second the recommendation for Cazadores. That is some fine sipping tequila. I wouldn’t waste it in a margarita or in a shot with lime & salt - it deserves to be savored. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/30 "2017-09-27T19:06:20Z")
> [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](#): > > I second the recommendation for Cazadores. That is some fine sipping tequila. I wouldn’t waste it in a margarita or in a shot with lime & salt - it deserves to be savored. Don’t shoot anything that isn’t a Blanco as a rule. But, a good margarita is not a waste of tequila in any form. You need quality tequila to make a quality margarita. ---
**Author:** ![hmazuji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@hmazuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hmazuji)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/31 "2017-09-29T15:15:44Z")
exactly. you are spot on. trial and error goes a long way also. brush your teeth and tongue, cheek and gums with something unflavored, such as baking soda. rinse with water while brushing. once you have a clean pallet, order a shot of whatever, and write your thoughts in a journal. make sure you specify the brand name. that way you’ll know based on your own experience. recommendations go a long way, but you can always get a recommendation after getting your feet wet. the same approach can also be made with tobacco / cigars. one very important caveat: these drugs are addictive and come with all the tapestry and accouterments of their drug classifications. be very very careful. oh, oh, the one last tip i can give you is to make sure you drink a glass of water or two before and during. you need water, and you need water more when you are conducting these types of experiments ---
**Author:** ![El\_DeLuxo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_deluxo/32/9043_2.png) [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/32 "2017-09-29T17:43:24Z")
Well, _I’ve_ certainly taken some good recommendations from this thread! ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/33 "2017-09-30T20:03:53Z")
> [@DLuxN8R-13](#): > > Saffer. Dude. First thing: Jose Cuervo is swill, strictly for frat boys. > > Seriously, the shit isn’t even real tequila. JC can be as much as 40% sugarcane or grain neutral spirits. How they can sell it as tequila up here in the States is beyond me. > > Now on to the real stuff. > > Anejo or reposado tequila (the gold tinged fluid) is nearly always superior to the white, which Mexicans in Mexico refer to as “joven” - young -tequila. In my not at all humble opinion, anyway. Like brandy or bourbon, it gets better after sitting around in barrels for a good long while. > > _Trabadoro_ is pretty good tequila. _Hornitos_ is _very_ good tequila. And _Cazadores Reposado_ is very fine tequila indeed., perhaps the apogee of the maguey. José Cuervo bottles many different tequilas and some are very good tequilas made of 100% agave such as their Tradicional Reposado. Cuervo also makes their Tradicional Plata (also reposado). There are also premium white tequilas. Don Julio 70 is very good. Herradura makes their Plata. These are not simple tequila blancos but aged. Other brands do also. Don Julio Blanco is a very nice non-aged tequila. As far as the superiority between tequila blanco, reposado or añejo is concerned, that is simply a matter of personal preference. Again, as a matter of personal preference I wouldn’t touch Cazadores while many others do. It is popular here in México. ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/34 "2017-09-30T20:10:29Z")
> [@Saffer](#): > > I have become a bit partial to drinking neat whisky lately. > I just watched a series of videos on how tequila is made and it got me curious. The only tequila I have ever tried is Jose Cuervo, which I did not enjoy. I am wondering what other brands I should try, before I can decide if I like tequila or not. But I have no idea which are considered to be decent brands. > > I am hoping that if I list some brands of whisky I enjoy, someone might be able to recommend some tequila in a similar range of quality. > > Whisky I like includes: Glenfidich (pretty much all of them); Johnie Walker (not the red label, Black is ok, everything else is pretty good although Blue is way overpriced); Oban, Chivas Regal. > > So all of them are scotch, I have not found any Rye that I enjoy, and Jack Daniels is particularly unpalatable to me. > > So what are the recommendations? I have been drinking tequila my whole adult life. Right now I have several different tequilas in my home. For a nice neat sipping tequila that isn’t ridiculous price, I drink either Don Julio Añejo or Herradura Añejo. Don Julio has a little more agave flavor while the Herradura is a little sweeter. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/35 "2017-09-30T20:35:46Z")
(Quick check) Yep, I have both of those in the liquor cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![bb49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b38774/32.png) [@bb49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb49)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/36 "2017-10-01T02:20:29Z")
I have the following bottles sitting in my cabinet: Cazadores Reposado Centenario Reposado Kirkland Anejo I had another partially finished bottle of something but gave it to a friend. They all have at least 2/3 left in the bottles and I haven’t touched them since 2011, when I bought a bottle of Don Julio 1942. The Don Julio 1942 spoiled me. It’s not cheap, but I go to Mexico once a year and usually bring back a couple of bottles, at less than half the price I pay at home. I make the bottles last the year or until my next visit to Mexico. There are probably better tequilas, but I’m more than happy with the Don Julio. Just make sure it’s their 1942. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2017, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/37 "2017-10-01T08:20:04Z")
> [@BuckChongo](#): > > I drink a bit of Tequila every day and have tried a lot of them. Partial to the cheap Cien de Agave blancos, never buy any Tequila that is not labeled 100% Agave. Right now I’m enjoying some Exotico at 10.00 for a 750. Clean and smooth, actually a bit too clean as I prefer a Tequila with a lot of personality. I start at the head of the Tequila aisle, lots of stuff 150.00 a bottle, but that’s enough money for a pretty decent hooker so I don’t start shopping until at least halfway down the aisle, Luna Azul usually shows up in the 25.00 range, I used to get it for 7.50 a bottle til it got popular. There’s Hacienda Vieja, Cabrito, Agavales, Torado, always something new it’s fun to try them, but I draw the line at plastic bottles. My friend Horacio used to bring me a bottle of Patron every time he went to Mexico, i thanked him for getting the expensive stuff but he laughed and said it was 8.00 US in Mexico. If you ever see it get a bottle of Don Juan Matus and drink a toast to C. Castaneda, the Tequila predates the Wizard of the same name. I think that this may be the most useful post I have ever read. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/38 "2017-10-02T11:52:47Z")
> [@CBEscapee](#): > > I have been drinking tequila my whole adult life. Right now I have several different tequilas in my home. For a nice neat sipping tequila that isn’t ridiculous price, I drink either Don Julio Añejo or Herradura Añejo. Don Julio has a little more agave flavor while the Herradura is a little sweeter. Prices in Jalisco are a bit different than the prices in the USA. I love both of those tequilas in the Reposado versions, but they’re approximately $65 USD here. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024/39 "2017-10-02T12:37:37Z")
One thing to know if you start looking at places like Costco or Trader Joe’s is to check the NOM, which should be on the back of the bottle somewhere. Referencing one of the online databases will give you an idea of where it came from. I’m not claiming it’s the exact same stuff in a different bottle, because I don’t know that. But it’s another piece of information. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-decent-brands-of-tequila-i-can-try/797024.md?page=1)