The World's Best Tequila, According To America's Top Bartenders

Forbes

4 days ago

Assorted Tequila shots with lime and salt and with orange and cinnamon.
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A Tequila and a mezcal were selected as the top spirits in their respective categories at the 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards. Below is a brief description and tasting notes for the two agave spirits.
Don Nacho Tributo Reposado Tequila is crafted by the Hernandez Gutierrez family in Jalisco's Los Altos region, paying homage to the rich traditions of Jalisco's Highlands. The Tequila undergoes a traditional production process that includes slow-cooking the agave in stone ovens, roller mill extraction, and fermentation in stainless steel tanks without fibers.
The spirit is then double-distilled in stainless steel pot stills and aged for 10 months in new American white oak barrels, developing a harmonious balance of agave character and oak influence.
The Tequila presents a bright straw-yellow hue with golden highlights, reflecting its extended maturation in oak barrels. On the nose, it exhibits fresh and baked agave notes, while subtle hints of vanilla, maple syrup, citrus zest, and a hint of anise/licorice add complexity.
On the palate, the Tequila is robust and aromatic. It reflects an agave and oak-forward profile, showcasing seasoned wood, spice notes of pepper and cinnamon, and a subtle caramel sweetness. The finish is long, slightly sweet, and smooth, with lingering notes of cooked agave, wood spices, and caramel.
Don Nacho Tributo Reposado is a testament to the heritage and craftsmanship of Jalisco's Tequila producers. Its balanced profile, marked by the interplay of agave and oak, offers a refined tasting experience that appeals to both connoisseurs and beginners.
Mezcal with chili pepper and slice of orange. A typical Mexican alcoholic beverage, it's made from many different types of agave.
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400 Conejos Espadín Joven Mezcal is a widely available mezcal expression, crafted in the town of Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, the heart of mezcal production. The mezcal is made from 100% Espadín agave from Oaxaca, Mexico. José Cuervo owns the brand.
As Mezcal has grown in popularity, its production has increasingly bifurcated between large, industrial-sized producers utilizing Espadin agave, and artisanal producers using a mix of traditional wild and domesticated agaves.
The production process involves roasting the agave hearts in traditional underground pits, followed by crushing with a stone wheel 'tahona,' fermentation in wooden vats, and double distillation in copper pot stills. The result is a joven or unaged mezcal that reflects the essence of Oaxaca's mezcal terroir.
The mezcal is crystal-clear with silver nuances, showcasing its unaged nature. The nose features aromas of wood smoke and light char, accompanied by subtle hints of ripe fruit and herbal/herbaceous notes.
Sweet cooked agave is featured prominently on the palate along with herbaceous and fruity notes, and a persistent cold smoke. The finish is long and smooth, with a subtle yet persistent smokiness and lingering fruity and herbaceous notes.
400 Conejos Espadín Joven Mezcal offers an authentic taste of Oaxaca's mezcal heritage at a reasonable price point. Its balanced, complex flavor profile and smooth finish make it suitable for both sipping and mixing, regardless of whether you're new to mezcal or a seasoned enthusiast.
The International Bartender Spirits Awards is a renowned global competition that showcases the world's best spirits. Selection is based on quality, innovation, value, and craftsmanship. Judged by an expert panel of bartenders and industry professionals, the competition is highly regarded in the spirits industry and serves as a benchmark for quality.
These two spirits are both readily accessible and reasonably priced. More importantly, according to some of America's top bartenders, they are also among the world's best Tequila and Mezcal. Both are worth trying and, if you like them, adding them to your bar!