Which Brand Tequila tastes best?

Many drink it, but unfortunately most do not really fully understand it or appreciate it.

That's because in the US, it's largely marketed to college kids as a way to get "crazy", which is largely missing the true nature of tequila.

Also as you'll likely notice as you build up answers, the word "best" is quite subjective. It's also based on experience with tequila too, as anyone who knows anything about tequila in any real way would not say Cuervo, unless they were referencing their Tradicional or Reserva de la Familia, which are the only 2 Cuervo-labeled tequilas they make that are any good.

Patron too, while good, is often mentioned because they spend more marketing dollars than any other tequila company, and thus when college kids are ready to move up from Cuervo, they often go to Patron as they see it advertised so much, and their exploration stops there. Make no mistake, Patron isn't bad by any means. But you can get better for less.

First, to get the correct tequila experience, don't drink anything that doesn't say 100% agave (like junk like regular Cuervo or Sauza). These are cheap poorly made tequilas designed to sell to college kids to get drunk. They are only 51% real tequila, and the rest are fillers like corn syrup and grain alcohol (and thus the hangover the next day is born).

The aging has a lot to do with the taste, so remember how the aging is labeled:

Blanco (because it's totally clear) - no aging. Sometimes called silver or white.

Reposado - minimally aged at least 2 months, but can be up to 1 year. Sometimes called gold.

Anejo - heavily aged, minimally 1 year but less than 3 years.

The really expensive ones can even be aged longer than regular anejos, and these are often referred to as ultra anejos.

You said straight, so hopefully you mean sipped. However, since I don't know for sure, I'll include both in my recommendations.

Slammed shots - go for a blanco. Anything else is a waste of flavor and $$

Sipped shots (how I recommend it) - go for anejo only and savor with no salt and a squeeze of lime. Chilled or on the rocks is good as is straight for mid-grade tequilas, but if you're throwing down the big bucks don't do or add anything to the tequila.

In a more normal price range, tequilas I would also recommend are:

Cazadores

Herradura

Don Julio

Corzo (please note this is not Cuervo)

Pura Sangre

Centinela

Cabo Wabo

Arette

Dos Lunas

-----------------------

No offense but anyone who answers Sauza Hornitos (and I won't even go there with Tequila Rose) simply has not had much good tequila as Hornitos is pretty bad, despite it being 100% agave.

Tequila is like drinking cognac. Depending on age and process they are smooth and don't have the bite some of the less expensive brands do. For my pleasure, I serve my friends Don Julio Anejo, Chinaco, in a snifter or Sauza Hornitos. I mention Sauza because it is a direct distillate and not cut with water for a medium priced tequila witch makes it a little smoother. Tequila neet...the only way to drink it!!

Enjoy

Don Julio 1942

Milagro Select Barrel Reserve

A little disappointed with Campeon and Tonala

Just purchased Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia

On my to do list: Don Julio Real

Sauza Hornitos Anejo:

100% agave, real tequila

Aged

Better than half the stuff on the market

$33 a bottle

Any questions?

Herradura or Cazadores (preferably anejo) .. Espolon is quite good but difficult to find.

Jen's got a point on the Corzo .. tried it last week. A very good sipping tequila indeed.

El Tesoro anejo

Herradura anejo

Tezon anejo

Arette anejo or reposado

Cabo Wabo reposado or anejo

Any one of those is fantastic and will only cost around $50 a bottle

My favorit sipping tequila is Corzo. It's fabulously smooth--it's blanco. Patron is s**t compared to it.

Mezcal tastes and smells like an actual agave plant (delicious). Worm haters need not apply.

I enjoy Herradura but for the most Tres Generations

I LOVE tequila rose........it's just like strawberry quick!!!!