Tequila is one of if not the most popular alcohols in the United States. If you watch sports programming you’ll notice that you see more and more tequila commercials as popular high end brands like Patron and 1800 fight for your drinking preference. When shopping for tequila you’ll find that prices can dramatically change based on the brand. You’ll also note that you selections of brown, silver or gold in depending on the brand. So for those of you who aren’t quite as experienced with the tequila selection process here’s a little guide to help you select the best brands of tequila for you drinking pleasure. First, we are only going to look at silver or clear types of tequila. It is widely believed that clear tequila is the smoothest and easy to drink without mixing. It also mixes much better than other types. Secondly, we’ll look at the price. Simply because a brand of tequila is expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best. Finally, we’ll look at the taste and smoothness of the brand of tequila. We’ll rate each area on a scale of 1 – 5 stars (with 5 being great and 1 being horrible). So on to the ratings
El Toro – $9.99
El Toro is a low end tequila that can be found at pretty much any liquor store anywhere. At around $10 per bottle, it’s our second cheapest brand reviewed. Don’t look for a smooth drink in this one as I liken drinking El Toro to driving down a rocky mountainside. Basically, it’s cheap tequila that’s cheaply made. Overall Rating – ★1/2
Patron is the first high end tequila that makes our list. Patron is one of the better known tequilas, but to be completely honest I find Patron to be highly overrated. Patron drinks more smoothly than your cheap tequilas, but not nearly as smooth as it should considering its $40 per bottle price tag. If you’re looking to impress buy Patron, but if you’re looking for good tequila for the money buy something else. Overall Rating – ★★1/2
1800 Silver – $27.99
This used to be my tequila of choice, but I preferred it because you could get it in a 100 proof bottle. 1800 is a very smooth tequila that mixes well with most anything. It doesn’t have a sweet taste and at around $28 a bottle it won’t break the bank. 1800 is a very good tequila for the money. Overall Rating – ★★★1/2
El Ultimo Agave – $15.99
If you want a good smooth tequila experience without the high end tequila price tag, then El Ultimo Agave is the tequila for you. Made with 100% Agave, this tequila is one of the smoothest you’ll ever drink at this price and it delivers. Overall Rating – ★★★★
Jose Cuervo – $21.99
People have been talking about Jose Cuervo tequila forever and I honestly have no idea why. First off this drinks slightly better than a $10 bottle of tequila and the next day you’ll feel every drop. Let this go to show you that popularity isn’t everything. Overall Rating – ★★
This is my favorite tequila on the list hands down. Although the bottle I tested was $18.99, I found bottles for as little as $15 at different stores. At this modest price, it drinks as well as very high priced bottles that go for as much as $90 – $100 dollars per bottle. I’ve honestly never had a tequila that drinks this smoothly at this price. Overall Rating – ★★★★★
Montezuma – $8.99
Montezuma is something that you buy when you just feel like getting drunk with a limited amount of funds to do so. It’s our least expensive brand on this list and basically you get what you pay for. Overall Rating – ★★
El Zarco – $19.99
Ever go into a bar and order the house brand tequila? Well this is what you’re getting. This stuff was so bad that we never finished the bottle (a rarity in my house). Basically, it’s only good for chilling and mixing or making tequila Jell-O shots and that’s about it. Overall Rating – ★
Don Julio – $34.99
Don Julio is a high end tequila that delivers. It has the smoothness that you would expect from a tequila of that price and drinks exactly the way good tequila should. The only thing that kept Don Julio from getting a higher rating is the price by comparison to other smooth drinking tequilas like Piedra Azul and El Ultimo Agave. All in all this is a good tequila. Overall Rating – ★★★★
