Tequila is a form of mezcal that’s derived from either lowland or highland blue agave plants and produced in specific regions of Mexico, namely Jalisco. Highland agave plants tend to yield a sweeter or fruitier spirit, while lowland agave plants tend to yield earthier flavours.

If you’re drinking low-quality tequila, you can either mix it in an applicable cocktail like a margarita or drink it as a shot. Should you do the latter, you’ll want to pour some salt on the back of your palm, lick the salt, shoot back the drink, and then immediately suck on a wedge of lime.

Now that you know what you’re doing, ’tis time to get sipping. Take your newfound knowledge along with you as we dive into the best drops on the planet. Here is a list of the best tequila brands and bottles to test out.

Starting off our list of the best tequilas for a fun-filled fiesta is the spirit of the gods, Teremana. And by gods, we mean Dwayne Johnson. Tequila was (and is) The Rock’s go-to drink as part of his cheat meals, so much so that he decided to launch his own brand of the stuff. Brewed in small batches for a mature flavour, do yourself a favour by not mixing this tequila. That’s right, we recommend you enjoy one, on The Rock(s).

When you think premium tequila, your first thought should be Patrón Silver. Arguably the brand that kicked off the craze, Patrón Silver can be enjoyed mixed, sipped straight on the rocks, or in shots with a squeeze of lime to chase with. If you really want to make a splash at your next party, rock up with a bottle of Patrón, and you’ll be everyone’s best friend.

Cabo Wabo Blanco is another brand of top-notch drink made by the stars, this time by Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar. You’ll find the term ‘thick cut’ being used to describe this one, but last time we checked tequila was a liquid? Upon further research, you’ll find out that the thick-cut method relates to how they cut the heart of the agave plant that is used to make tequila. This heart, known as the ‘piña’ is cut into four thick segments, resulting in earthier notes.

The stars just won’t stop with their tequila (makes you wonder what a celebrity AA meeting looks like). Casamigos Blanco is the brainchild of your mum’s favourite Hollywood actor George Clooney and business tycoon Rande Gerber. The outcome is a smooth and refined spirit that can be enjoyed on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail. Its naturally sweet flavour makes it exceptional for the latter.

You may have a hard time getting your hands on a bottle of el Jimador Reposado, thanks to its newfound success and popularity. Winning silver at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2020, everybody is itching to have a taste. If you do manage to get your lips around a glass of the hot stuff, you’ll discover the rich, 100 per cent agave flavours, as well as a toasty after taste from the barrel it was aged in.

Want to know who beat out el Jimador Reposado for the top spot at the San Fran World Spirits Competition 2020? That would be Don Julio’s 1942 Añejo Tequila (we’re told it finished metres ahead of the pack in the 100-metre sprint category). The Añejo style means this one is aged for 24-30 months in small batches, resulting in rich, sweet aromas of caramel, toffee, and vanilla. With all this popularity comes a steep price tag, but it’s worth the cost of entry.

The next one on our list of the best tequilas that follows the Añejo method is Avion Añejo. These distillers took out gold back in 2011, and their spirit has been of the same rich quality ever since. Aged for two years in American oak barrels, the end result is a tequila with strong notes of vanilla, caramel, and even coconut. With all this sweetness going on, you could easily have this one on the rocks, or again mix it into your favourite cocktail for that added flavour boost.

LALO Tequila has a rich history in the world of competing distilleries. The creator of LALO named the brand after his nickname, “Lalo” which was given to him by his grandfather, Don Julio. As you might have guessed, this is The Don Julio we’ve spoken of earlier, going to show how little the apple falls from the tree. This tequila is made from agave, water, and yeast, distilled only twice so that the agave flavours are still front and centre in the final drop.

From one (sort of) family business to another, we have Fortaleza Still Strength Blanco. At the turn of the century, Guillermo Erickson Sauza brought the old family distillery back into action. The distillery has been running successfully since then, where they only use agave produced on their estate, which just so happens to be in the middle of a town called Tequila. Forget Funky Town, we want to get down to Tequila Town.

The Dano behind Dano’s Blanco knows what he’s doing when it comes to tequila. Dano’s Blanco is a sweet concoction that is ideal for cocktails, or on the rocks for those who usually can’t drink spirits straight. Dano claims this is one of the smoothest Blanco drops on the market, and we’d have a hard time arguing otherwise.

For an inexpensive tequila that offers great taste, you can’t go past Jose Cuervo Especial Reposado. The cost of the drink makes it great for parties and event hosting, but don’t think this means you can’t also enjoy a bottle of this fine tequila to yourself. Tasty enough to sip, you’ll find yourself halfway through the bottle in no time. And if you’re into mixing, Jose Cuervo has a line of easy-made margarita’s that’ll hit the spot.

From inexpensive to “okay if we all chip in,” we have Milagro Select Barrel Reserve. This stuff earns its high price point, for the personal, handcrafted process that the tequila is produced through. Agave is grown on-site, before being harvested and roasted in clay ovens to produce the good stuff. The spirit is triple distilled, before being aged for ten months in French Oak, giving the spirit its sweet taste and honey colouring. Even the bottles are made from hand-blown glass.

If Milagro is a little out of your budget, Hornitos Plata Tequila may be better suited for your needs. Flavour isn’t compromised for affordability, with their tequila hitting smooth and strong, with a citrus after taste to boot. Their motto suggests their drink is “A Shot Worth Taking,” which we believe is a great attitude when it comes to tequila.

The kind distillers at Espolòn utilise a modern twist on their Espolòn Blanco tequila. Instead of using traditional ovens, Espolòn uses modern autoclaves. This introduction of technology allows Espolòn to better control the production of their tequila, resulting in a finer tasting spirit, for a lower cost might we add. After being rested in charred American oak barrels, the drink takes on a smoked flavour, unique to this brand.

Herradura Reposado is another premium tequila on our list. Herradura is doing all the right things to make sure that their tequila hits the spot for consumers around the world. Aged in American oak barrels for eleven months, the tequila takes on this sweet oak and cinnamon flavour, as well as the natural vanilla notes found in agave. For a twist, you can opt for the Double Barrel Reposado, which is aged for an additional eleven months in a charred barrel for extra flavour.

You’d probably be more familiar with Clase Azul Reposado for their beautiful bottles and high price, but luckily for you, the tequila inside is just as breathtaking. The distillery uses only stone ovens to cook the agave before it’s double-distilled and aged for eight months. Once ready, it’s poured into the gorgeous, handmade ceramic bottles, that you’ll want to wash out and display for all to see (to also show people you could afford it in the first place).

Last but not least, we have La Gritona Reposado, with a bottle that’s as distinct as Clase Azul. Distilled by a local family in Mexico, this subtle but unique bottle has been popularised by bar staff in Southern California, who use it as their go-to for after-work drinks. You won’t find the sweetness that is associated with the agave plant here. Just a sharp, smooth tequila that’ll give a good kick to your taste buds.