The Top Reposado Tequila, According To The SF World Spirits Competition

Forbes

24-05-2025

The Reposado Tequila finalists from the 2025 SFWSC.
Five Tequilas are finalists for the World's Best Reposado Tequila at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is one of the world's most prestigious spirit judging events, and consumers and the beverage industry closely monitor its results. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated event in the Tequila industry, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for the finalists.
Tequila Ocasión is made at Tequilera Santa Teresa, just outside Tequila in Jalisco.
The Tequila is aromatic on the nose, showcasing a layered complexity that includes minerally notes of wet slate, herbaceous aromas of green agave, and earthy scents. The palate presents light, Mezcal-like smoky notes, followed by cooked and green agave flavors, hints of caramel, and earthy undertones. Overall, the palate leans more toward fresh, green aromas rather than the typical caramel notes of cooked agave. The finish is long and refreshing, with lingering herbaceous hints and subtle caramel notes.
Aguasol is crafted using traditional methods at the Cascahuín Distillery in El Arenal.
The Tequila is incredibly aromatic and complex on the nose, featuring pronounced aromas of both green and cooked agave and showcasing herbal and herbaceous notes, along with fruity hints of citrus and tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel, seasoned oak, black pepper, and a slight savory element.
The palate showcases herbal and herbaceous aromas of anise/licorice, alongside minty and fruity notes of citrus and tropical fruits, particularly melons. These are complemented by hints of vanilla, caramel, honey, cinnamon, pepper, and earthy qualities, with a slight minerality. The finish is long, herbal, and sweet, featuring lingering notes of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and black pepper.
Homemade Spicy Margarita with Limes and Jalapenos
Don Fulano is produced at La Tequileña in Tequila. The Reposado is aged 8 to 11 months in French Limousin oak barrels.
The nose showcases rich aromas of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, agave, citrus, and dark fruit notes. It's sweet, viscous, and spicy on the palate, featuring flavors of cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, vanilla, caramel, mint, anise/licorice, and earthiness. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of spice and herbs.
An innovative Reposado aged in American white oak and finished in French Chardonnay barrels. Cask finishes are becoming increasingly common among Tequila producers.
The Tequila presents roasted agave on the nose, accompanied by caramel, vanilla, citrus, black pepper, and a hint of savory/mineral note. It's rich, creamy, and flavorful, showcasing butterscotch cream, caramel, vanilla, agave syrup, roasted nuts, cinnamon/wood spices, subtle orange zest, and pepper. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering butterscotch and pepper notes. The finish remains long and sweet, with lingering notes of vanilla and butterscotch.
The Tequila is aged in a combination of American oak, French oak, and acacia casks, which develops incredible depth of flavor and complexity.
The Tequila features cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, and banana on the nose, complemented by hints of citrus fruits, herbs, and almonds. The palate showcases vanilla, toasted coconut, spice, and notes of stone fruit, caramel, green agave, and earthy undertones. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering notes of vanilla and spice.
These Reposado Tequilas showcase various finishing techniques and cask types. They demonstrate how contemporary producers expand Tequila's aroma and flavor profile in new and innovative ways. Each Reposado offers a unique expression of agave craftsmanship, highlighting the artistry and creativity within the Tequila industry.
Stylistically, they range from Blanco-like to Añejo-like, each illustrating the impact of the cask wood on the Tequila. All five are exceptional and function equally well when served neat or as a cocktail base. If you appreciate Reposado Tequila, be sure to try these five finalists.