10 Tequilas That Aren't Cheap But Are Truly Worth the Price
By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore,
1 days ago
While tequila may have once had a reputation as just a margarita mixer, these days, it’s giving good whiskey and quality sake a run as a favorite sipping spirit.
Naturally, the rise in popularity of top-of-the-line tequila begs the question: What makes a good tequila worth the price?
If you’re budgeting to add a high-end tequila or two to your liquor cabinet, we’ve compiled a list of expensive tequilas worth the splurge to help you start investing .
Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
If you dabble in tequila drinking, chances are you’ve experienced Jose Cuervo at some point in the past.
However, the brand’s Reserva De La Familia Extra Añejo is not your average spirit. To earn the designation of “extra añejo,” tequila has to be aged for at least three years.
This one is aged in French and American oak barrels, and the brand urges drinkers to enjoy the spirit in a tequila flute, if possible, to fully appreciate the product's flavor, aroma, and finish.
The “44” in Avión’s Reserva 44 Extra Añejo Tequila stands for the number of months the spirit spends in oak barrels.
After it’s filtered, the tequila is placed into traditional oak barrels for 43 months and then moved to “petite” oak barrels, which are roasted every day for the final month.
The unique process leaves the tequila with a toasted flavor and also carries with it subtle hints of vanilla. While this bottle has the lowest price point on our list, it has a huge amount of flavor to offer those looking to get into the high-end tequila game.
3. Gran Patrón Platinum
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Price: $174.99
Gran Patrón Platinum was one of the first premium tequilas sold in the U.S., and it's the ultimate in luxurious blanco tequilas. The tequila is triple distilled and rested for 30 days in oak tanks.
The process brings out the smooth, light flavor of lime, 100% Weber Blue agave, and citrus. It's 80 proof, and the alcohol notes are barely detectable, a testament to the texture achieved through its triple distillation.
Don Julio is a major player in the tequila game and offers many other good tequilas at lower price points. However, it’s the aging process for Don Julio 1942 Añejo that truly makes it stand out.
The tequila is produced in small batches and aged for a minimum of two and a half years. (The “añejo” label means that the spirit has been aged for at least a year.)
The 1942 añejo is distilled in the brand’s smallest still, Pot Still 6, which produces only three barrels per cycle. The unique attention to detail and the patient aging process are what make this a truly unique sipping experience.
Don Julio recommends drinking 1942 on the rocks or neat.
5. Clase Azul Reposado
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Price: $164.99
It’s not just the unique bottle that Clase Azul Reposado comes in that makes it worth the price (though we’ll get to that later), it’s the cooking and distilling process that leads to this tequila’s rich and smooth flavor.
The reposado is made with Tequilana Weber Blue Agave, which is slow-cooked in traditional stone ovens before being fermented and aged for eight months in American whiskey casks. Reposados must be rested for at least 60 days.
Now, we’ll talk about those bottles. Each one is hand-painted by indigenous artisans in a small Mexican village so that each bottle — decorated in vibrant blue — is truly unique.
6. Código 1530 Origen Extra
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Price : $329.99
Código 1530 Origen is aged for a full six years (one of the oldest on the market) in award-winning Napa Cabernet French White Oak Barrels. Each drop of Amatitán water used is from freshwater pools and rainwater, filtered through the volcanic soil of Los Bajos.
Its flavors of spices, caramel, vanilla, and sweet oak create a robust palate and produce a uniquely delicate finish.
This is one of the more expensive bottles on our list, and it offers a truly unique sipping experience. Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo is not only rare, but a small batch product that was aged five years in oak barrels that once held scotch, sherry, and brandy.
The unique aging process creates a complex flavor but does not diminish the clear agave notes. Master Distiller Germán Gonzalez harvests the blue agaves from the volcanoes in Jalisco, a state in western Mexico known for tequila and mariachi music.
If you’re looking for a flavor that is both complex and traditional, look no further.
8. Casa Dragones Joven
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Price: $329.99
Unlike some of the other bottles on our list, Casa Dragones Joven, which also happens to be the most expensive tequila named here, is a relatively new player in the game.
The company was launched in 2009 but has made quite a name for itself since then. In 2011, Forbes even named it the “tastemakers’ top tequila.” It was also quite hard to find when it was first released since only 12,000 bottles were initially produced, which added to its allure.
With a smooth and soft flavor and subtle hints of vanilla, pear, and spices, this tequila has critics agreeing that securing a bottle of Casa Dragones Joven may lead to quite the unmatched sipping experience.
9. Herradura Selección Suprema
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Price: $389.99
Selección Suprema matures in American white oak barrels for an industry-leading 49 months, and it's worth the wait. This exceptionally smooth tequila has won over 40 awards (including 25 gold medals!) since 2006.
The first extra añejo expression in the world, Selección Suprema is made with blue agave cooked for more than 24 hours in classic stone ovens.
It's fermented up to seven days before distillation and maturation to achieve the perfect balance of spices, rich vanilla, oak, and dried citrus fruit.
Last but certainly not least, our most expensive and luxurious pick is Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo, considered the "crown jewel" of the Clase tequila family.
Produced in limited quantities and aged for five years in previously used sherry wood casks from Spain, Clase Azul Ultra has a unique, refined character.
This dark amber tequila has an intense flavor with a cognac finish. And did we mention its decanter includes three precious metals: pure platinum, sterling silver, and 24-carat gold?
Bottom line
The alcohol industry in the U.S. is one that doesn’t seem like it will be taking any hits anytime soon, so plenty of people are looking for ways to invest in their favorite wines, beers, or spirits.
If you’re a fan of tequila and want to try out some more high-end products, these are worth the splurge. Remember to use a top rewards credit card when shopping to maximize your savings.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
This is an article with which I wholeheartedly disagree. I only drink tequila with no additives. Most of these have flavor additives.
JDion
22h ago
Bullllllshit. Maestro Dobel anejo - $50 or Corralejo Reposado - $30. Pay out the ass for good tequila plus name and image or pay simply for a good tequila.
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