Today, we leave behind the glitz and glam of Hollywood names and set our sights on the unsung heroes of tequila production whose bottles you should run, not walk, to try. Join us as we share a list of 10 less familiar, high-quality tequilas that deserve a place on your top-shelf.
Tequila has outgrown its cheap party shooter reputation in the last decade or so. In fact, a luxury tequila phenomenon has unfolded with a surge in the popularity of premium sipping tequilas – many owned or endorsed by celebrities. But today, we leave behind the glitz and glam of Hollywood names and set our sights on the unsung heroes of tequila production, the respected tequileros of Jalisco, Mexico whose bottles you should run, not walk, to try.
Join us as we share a list of 10 less familiar, high-quality tequilas that deserve a place on your top-shelf.
First on our list is a bottle that showcases 50 years of tequila-making artistry and heritage. Los Rijos tequilas are made by the La Cofradia family in Jalisco – Mexico's most renowned tequila-producing state. Their highly awarded, 100% agave silver tequila opens with a fragrant aroma of roasted peppers followed by bright citrus. Expect a combination of fruity and dry flavors with a warming finish that folds in tastes of vanilla and honeyed citrus. Los Rijos Silver has been cleaning house ever since its launch, scoring a “highly recommended” from the Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI), 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, a 2018 gold from the International Review of Spirits, a silver from the 2019 San Fransisco World Spirits Competition and consistent 5-star reviews from our own customers. With such commendation, the hype around this tequila is undoubtedly justified.
Shop the Los Rijos collection here.
Tequila Ocho Reposado is the remarkable result of Carlos Camarena (a fifth-generation agave farmer and third generation tequilero) and Tomas Estes' (author, restauranteur and the official Tequila Ambassador to Europe) pursuit to explore terroir in tequila. And after tasting, we’d say that exploration was a huge success! Ocho Reposado beautifully showcases the arid climate of the highlands of Jalisco. This aged tequila is crafted with the utmost care, following the traditions of fine winemaking to capture the pure essence of the Blue Weber Agave. It has a flavor profile characterized by sweet, cooked agave complemented by subtle hints of cinnamon, delicate vanilla and a touch of spice. The aroma brings rich fruits with notes of vanilla and butterscotch. Awarded 96 points from Wine Enthusiast, this authentic tequila is an absolute must-try for any aficionado who appreciates craftsmanship, history, and passion.
Shop the Tequila Ocho collection here.
We love the unexpected, especially when it involves a premium spirit. At first glance, El Amo’s Cristalino may appear to be a plata tequila, but this bottle holds more than meets the eye. This premium offering from El Amo is made from 100% blue agave, aged, and then put through a special color-filtering process, rendering it crystal clear. The best part? This spectacular clear añejo still has all the goodness of any well-rounded oak-aged tequila with flavors of vanilla, chocolate, nuts, spices, caramel and a hint of pineapple. This cleverly disguised añejo tequila is a fantastic bottle to add to your collector’s shelf.
Shop the El Amo collection here.
Chances are you've heard of Don Julio, but have you come across its primavera reposado? If not, we're here to fix that! Don Julio was renowned for nurturing his agave crop like his children, meticulously trimming the pencas (leaves) of every piña to achieve the perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. His process set a precedent for the brand, which would be upheld by three generations of Jimadors who followed in his footsteps. These Jimadors are now largely responsible for Don Julio's exceptional taste and quality. The primavera reposado serves as a beautiful tribute to this care and Don himself, who believed that reposado represented tequila at its finest. La Primavera takes the traditional reposado and finishes it in a special European cask that once held wine, infused with orange peel. The result is a smooth, sophisticated tequila with a delicate citrus taste. This lesser-known limited release is the crown jewel of the Don Julio portfolio – which means you should splurge on this bottle.
Shop the Don Julio collection here.
There’s something to be said for tradition, and Campo Azul’s Selecto line is a testament to the sweet fruits reaped from hard work and patience. The key to the success of this 100% Mexican family-owned business lies in the quality of the crop and, most importantly, in the unhurried cooking of the agave in small, ancestral masonry ovens. The agave is cooked for 72 hours to encourage the development of more complex flavors and aromas. The return on this time and care is a premium blanco tequila with delicate notes of cooked agave and citrus that lead to flavors of grapefruit, black pepper and pineapple. Due to its exceptional quality and delightful taste, the Campo Azul Selecto line has earned over 20 medals and awards, including the prestigious “Diosa Mayahuel” (Mayahuel Goddess) award for the best tequila blanco in Mexico. The price point is even more impressive. You’ll have a hard time finding a better bottle in the $30 range.
Shop the Campo Azul collection here.
For cocktail crafters, this premium tequila is the perfect base spirit. We love this label for offering the best of both worlds: value and quality. Messicano matches the energy of other Jalisco-made tequilas with 90% of their agave crop coming directly from Jesus Maria. This tequila is complex with a fruity aroma and bright flavors of cooked agave and citrus. Because of its value, this is our go-to blanco brand for batch cocktails or margs. We highly recommend grabbing a bottle and trying it in a blackberry margarita:
The Recipe
Salt
2 ounces Messicano Alteno Blanco Tequila
3 ounces Mr & Mrs T’s Margarita Mix
1 ounce blackberry syrup
Blackberries
Lime wedge
Mint
Rim a glass with salt and set aside. In a shaker with ice, add tequila, margarita mix and blackberry syrup. Shake and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with blackberries, lime wedge and mint.
Shop the Messicano collection here.
Insolito (which means 'unusual' in Spanish) is the rule-breaker on our list, and we appreciate their audacity. The Herrera brothers set out to do something different with their tequila. They deliberately deviated from tradition and carved their own path by distilling their tequilas in stainless steel stills (instead of copper) and using American oak barrels for aging. This was a bold move in an industry deeply tied to tradition. Fueled by a philosophy to pursue the extraordinary, Insolito made a big impression. By aging their blanco for 8-10 months, they created an exquisite, additive-free tequila with notes of almond, vanilla, and subtle spice. The country music group Midland even partnered with Insolito to help launch and distribute this double gold-winning (Sip Awards, 2021) tequila across the US.
Shop the Insolito collection here.
This 8-month rested tequila is, well, addictive. Founded by Gildardo Partida, the son of generational tequileros, Tequila Adictivo sets itself apart in the industry through its commitment to artistry. Beyond his unique bottle designs, Partida hand-selects the best plants to preserve the purity of the agave. Aging in French oak matures and softens this spirit, creating a silky texture and long finish that won't disappoint.
Shop the Adictivo collection here.
Komos set out to redefine ultra-luxury tequila by fusing tradition and innovation inspired by Mediterranean winemaking. Tasting Panel Magazine (2022), ranked Komos as the highest-rated tequila portfolio...ever. Komos’ exceptional cristalino expression (earning an individual score of 98) is aged for a minimum of one year in French oak white wine barrels, then charcoal-filtered to create a refined profile. On the nose, you’ll find tropical fruits, citrus zest, white florals and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, you'll detect pineapple, miso, stone fruit and lime. This tequila sets the stage for an unforgettable tasting experience.
Shop the Komos collection here.
We’ve already bragged a bit about Don Julio, so allow us to introduce his grandson’s passion project: Lalo Tequila. Lalo is named after Eduardo "Lalo" González, who was the son of Don Julio and the father of the brand’s co-founder and master tequilero (also named Lalo). Today, Lalo Jr. is carrying on his family’s legacy as a third-generation tequila-maker alongside his childhood friend and co-founder, David Carballido. The two are relentless in their pursuit of the purest tequila as well as supporting the local families of Los Altos de Jalisco through community development initiatives. Their never-aged, additive-free spirit started as a small batch blanco tequila made only for family and friends, but it grew into so much more. With only agave, yeast and water as ingredients, this tequila allows the essence of the agave to shine. The aroma will give you sweet potato, cooked agave, cinnamon and sweet dulce de leche. The palate reflects the nose and finishes with citrus and tropical notes. To sum it up with a 5-star review from one of our amazing customers: “Lalo Tequila is an absolute winner.”
