The 10 Best Sipping Tequilas

Jul 21, 2023

Tequila continues to be one of the most popular spirits categories around. Whether you’re looking for a popular tequila to mix into a margarita or Tequila Sunrise, or simply want to pour a shot of the best tequila, there are thousands of tequila options out there for every drinker. And as the demand for "premium" bottles intended for savoring has soared over the last few years, you may be wanting to add the best sipping tequila bottle to your at-home bar for relaxed evenings.

Some of these higher-end bottles are aged or filtered to maximize smoothness, while others are rare or otherwise special in some way. According to the drinks market analysis firm International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR), consumers have been gravitating toward higher-priced tequila bottles for a while, and that trend is only expected to accelerate. As of 2016, the segment they categorize as "super-premium and above" accounted for a mere 13% of global tequila volume. By 2026, that's anticipated to reach 40% of category volume.

"Over the years, tequila has evolved from being a low-price shot to a more premium option used in cocktails and high-end sipping," says Brandy Rand, chief strategy officer at IWSR. "Tequila has an association as an affordable luxury, and many brands are aligned with celebrities, leading to lifestyle-oriented marketing."

The category also has grown as consumers learn more about tequila and seek to experiment with different expressions, and as consumers value tequila's connection to Mexican heritage, creating a sense of place, she adds.

In theory, any tequila made from 100% blue agave can be suitable to sip, as long as it's a bottle you enjoy. For more information about what makes a good tequila, check out our beginner's guide to tequila.

Many people prefer the crisp, bright flavors of a blanco (or plata/silver) tequila served neat. This style of Tequila is unaged and bottled within 60 days of distillation.

However, others gravitate toward agave spirits with some barrel-aging time as sipping tequila, like a reposado or añejo. Similar to aged whiskeys or aged rums, barrel-aged tequilas develop inviting vanilla, fruit and spice tones, making them ideal to savor slowly.

If you need a place to begin, here are some of the best sipping tequila bottles on the market.

This lively, bright tequila will please purists. A light hand with the oak means a straw hue and brisk aromas of jalapeño and citrus. The palate melds flavors of bell pepper, fresh rosemary and roasted jalapeño that lead into mild coconut and graphite notes on the midpalate, finishing with a fresh herb exhale. Top 100 Spirits 2021 —Kara Newman

Look for a pale straw hue and fruity/funky aromas. The palate offers distinct tropical fruit notes, opening with lychee and a faint floral hint, plus a faint waft of ripe-banana funk midpalate. The finish is long and drying, showing grapefruit peel and pink peppercorn. Sip or mix into Palomas. Top 100 Spirits 2021 —K.N.

This is a lean take on reposado, with a light straw hue and a perky fresh jalapeño aroma. The minerally palate opens with hints of citrus and sage, leading into white pepper, a faint whisper of vanilla and mouthwatering salinity. It's lively, with just enough oak to mellow this into a sipping tequila. Top 100 Spirits 2021 —K.N.

Aged in a mix of casks that previously held Burgundy, Bordeaux and Loire wines, this complex Tequila is one to savor. Bell pepper and jalapeño aromas mingle with mild honey and cinnamon sweetness. The plush palate echoes that sweetness and spice, leading into a long finish tinged with cocoa and vanilla, plus a final zing of jalapeño heat. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

This is finished for five months in casks that previously held single malt whisky, and Sherry before that. The end result is a golden hue and subtle agave and baking spice aromas. The mouthwatering palate shows broad strokes of vanilla, oak and roasted nuts. Faint smokiness wafts into the finish, transforming the citrusy exhale into burnt grapefruit peel. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

This Tequila was aged 22 months in barrels that previously held George T. Stagg bourbon, yielding a pale straw hue and coconut and almond aromas. The flavors are lush but light, opening with brown sugar and cocoa powder and exiting with a grassy exhale and flurry of star anise, cardamom and cinnamon. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

Vanilla, almond and baking spice aromas entice. The silky palate opens with vegetal jalapeño and bell pepper, sliding into a long, honeyed finish sprinkled with fiery cayenne, cinnamon and clove. Aged 49 months. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

This burnished gold Tequila opens with allspice and cinnamon aromas. The silky palate reflects those spices, along with hints of dried cherry, cocoa powder, and oak. The finish is long, lip-smacking and delicately spiced. Pair with dark chocolate. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

This Tequila was aged in French oak white wine barrels, filtered for clarity, then aerated in clay amphorae. All this yields a liquid with a faint straw tinge and slightly floral aroma warmed with cooked agave. The silky palate is lightly sweet, with toasted coconut and almond leading into a gentle, mouthwatering finish accented with lemony acidity and pink peppercorn. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

Some cristalinos seem designed to strip out Tequila character; this one honors its roots. The agave flavor strides forward from the first sip, flanked by mild brown sugar and honey tones. The light, drying finish shows coconut and jalapeño heat. Top 100 Spirits 2022 —K.N.

In brief, reposado ("rested") tequila is aged at least two months in oak, añejo is aged at least one year and extra añejo is aged a minimum of three years. Usually, the longer barrel time equates to deeper color and more intense flavor.

Some purists staunchly believe that reposado is the ideal sipping tequila because barrel-aging smooths out some of the tequila's natural peppery notes and amplifies honey notes, without hiding the character of the agave. But others appreciate the rich complexity of añejo, as longer aging coaxes out vanilla or even deep toffee notes alongside dried fruit and spice, which can unfurl further flavor as it sits in the glass.

In addition, some producers experiment with special cask finishes on top of standard aging times. Barrels that previously held sherry might add nutty or dried fruit tones, while ex-bourbon casks can layer on more intense vanilla and spice. These finishes add complexity and nuance, which can add to sipping appeal.

In other words, it's about flavor, not age. The best sipping tequila is one that's multi-dimensional enough to enjoy slowly.

When talking about whether a spirit is "smooth," that usually indicates that it's less fiery or less harsh than others. Alcohol heat isn't necessarily always bad, and it can be tempered by adding ice or even a splash of water.

Those seeking a "smooth" tequila likely will want to bypass overproof bottlings, which are fiery by nature, and may want to seek out tequilas in the reposado and añejo range, where soothing honey, vanilla or caramel can make alcohol burn seem to recede a bit. Extra añejos can be delicious, but extended barrel time can draw out extra tannins. If overdone, that can create the perception of a little more harshness on the palate.

Perhaps the smoothest of all is cristalino, a relatively new tequila category. Named for its "crystal clear" appearance, cristalino is made by aging tequila, then charcoal-filtering out the color and flavor so it's clear (or close to it), creating a lighter flavor. Some versions have sweetener added, usually agave nectar, which also helps take the edge off alcohol burn.

All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.

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