The World's Best Tequila, According To The 2025 London Spirits Competition

Forbes

25-04-2025

AMATITAN, MEXICO - MAY 15: Fields of blue agave (Weber Azul) considered by UNESCO, as a cultural heritage of humanity.
In the constantly evolving landscape of premium spirits, tequila has found its moment. What was once seen as little more than a fiery party pour is quickly becoming one of the world's most complex and nuanced spirits. Behind this transformation stands a growing cadre of producers reasserting tequila's identity—not through marketing theatrics but through craftsmanship, authenticity, and deep cultural roots. Among them, the Orendain family holds a place of distinction. And with Gran Orendain Reposado recently earning "Tequila of the Year" honors at the 2025 London Spirits Competition (LSC), their enduring commitment to quality has found a new stage.
Gran Orendian Reposado Tequila.
For those familiar with the tequila world, this recognition won't come as a surprise. Gran Orendain Reposado is not a new arrival chasing trends. It is the result of nearly two centuries of knowledge, handed down and refined over generations. It represents the soul of the Orendain legacy—a legacy that traces its beginnings to 1926 when Don Eduardo Orendain González laid the foundation for what would become one of Mexico's most respected tequila-producing dynasties.
Located in the heart of Jalisco, Destilería Orendain is woven into the very fabric of the town of Tequila. Known as "La Mexicana," it is the only remaining fully family-owned distillery from the famous Tequila Founding Families that laid the groundwork for the industry. It remains fiercely independent and deeply tied to tradition, even as the global tequila market surges and consolidates around corporate acquisitions. For the Orendain's, making tequila is not just a business—it's a cultural responsibility.
That sense of duty is evident from the ground up. Gran Orendain tequilas begin with 100% blue Weber agave, grown exclusively on the family's fields in the Tequila Valley. Unlike many large-scale producers who source agave from third-party suppliers, the Orendain's control every step of the cultivation process. Their agaves are harvested when fully mature—typically after seven to nine years in the red volcanic soils of Jalisco—ensuring maximum sugar content and flavor complexity.
Once harvested, the piñas (agave hearts) are slowly baked in traditional stone ovens. This slow-cooking method, often passed over by more industrialized distilleries in favor of high-pressure autoclaves or diffusers, allows the natural sugars to caramelize gently, preserving the earthy, rich characteristics of the plant. The cooked agave is then crushed using a roller mill, and the extracted juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks using proprietary yeast strains. Fermentation is closely monitored to preserve the delicate balance of agave flavor and natural sweetness.
Distillation at La Mexicana takes place in small copper pot stills—a nod to the classic, artisanal methods that defined tequila long before global expansion. This slow, deliberate approach yields a spirit with real texture and depth, traits often lost in high-speed production environments. For the Reposado expression, the tequila is then aged in American white oak barrels, a process that adds structure and refinement without overwhelming the agave's intrinsic character.
The result is a tequila that defies expectations. Gran Orendain Reposado opens with a soft, expressive nose of roasted agave, vanilla, and toasted oak. This is what the judges at the LSC had to say about it in their tasting notes. Subtle minerality and a light floral touch on the nose give way to a peppery palate, finishing short but clean with faint cereal warmth and crisp simplicity.
What sets this tequila apart is its harmony. In a category often driven by either overaged oak influence or raw agave bite, Gran Orendain Reposado strikes the rare middle ground. It is smooth without sacrificing character and flavorful without losing focus. Whether sipped neat, served with a single cube, or incorporated into a refined cocktail, it adapts without losing its identity.
That adaptability, paired with an unwavering commitment to quality, is part of what caught the attention of the judges at the London Spirits Competition. Unlike many other awards that focus solely on taste, the LSC evaluates spirits across three dimensions: quality, value, and packaging. Gran Orendain scored high across the board. Its packaging is understated and classic—an elegant glass bottle with restrained branding, reflecting the confidence of a product that doesn't need to shout to be noticed.
The most compelling part of Gran Orendain's story is that it remains rooted in family. Today, Eduardo Orendain III, a fifth-generation descendent of Don Eduardo, oversees operations. Under his guidance, the distillery has remained fiercely committed to its traditional processes while embracing thoughtful innovation. This balance—between past and future, heritage and evolution—is what has allowed Gran Orendain to quietly establish itself as one of tequila's most respected names.
Winning "Tequila of the Year" is a remarkable accolade, but for the Orendain family, it's simply a reflection of what they've always believed: that great tequila comes from time, care, and respect for tradition. Gran Orendain Reposado is more than just an award-winning bottle—it's a distilled expression of Mexican heritage and a standard-bearer for where the spirit is headed.
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