It’s fair to say tequila has come a long way from its association with college-era Happy Hours and the dubious pursuit of the most alcoholic units delivered per litre. In recent years, a more discerning generation of drinkers has discovered what Mexico's most famous spirit has offered all along: a remarkably diverse category, shaped by regional terroir, traditional production methods and the quality of the agave itself.
Made exclusively in designated regions of Mexico, with Jalisco responsible for the vast majority of production, tequila is a considerably more nuanced spirit than its old reputation suggests. From traditionally produced blancos and barrel-aged añejos to ultra-premium bottlings that command rather extraordinary prices, there's plenty to explore.
We've rounded up 17 of the best tequilas available to Australian drinkers, covering everything from dependable cocktail staples to bottles worth taking your time over. Each recommendation includes the relevant expression, alcohol strength, and an indicative Australian retail price.
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The Very Best Tequilas To Buy Right Now
Patrón El Cielo
Brand: Patrón
ABV: 40%
Price: $254.99 at danmurphys.com.au
As one of the latest premium Tequilas on the market, Patrón El Cielo is an essential sip when you're in need of a light, ultra-refined spirit: best served neat, or at a push, on the rocks with a citrus of your choosing.
The signature quadruple-distillation method helps unlock the natural sweetness and smoothness of Blue Weber agave. Made in small batches at Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, El Cielo uses the same three ingredients as the wider Patrón range: agave, water, and yeast. The additional distillation is designed to deliver a particularly clean, delicate profile, with fresh citrus and herbal notes.
Soldada Tequila
Brand: Soldada Blanco
ABV: 37%
Price: $59.99 (700ml) at danmurphys.com.au
Soldada is an intriguing offering, given that it's an Australian-owned spirits brand exclusively utilising Blue Weber agave from Jalisco. The plants grow in the nutrient-rich volcanic soils of the region before being processed traditionally in brick ovens.
Soldada's entry-level Blanco expression lends a nice edge to any number of tequila-based drinks, particularly the Paloma, although it's versatile enough to work across a range of cocktail recipes. Its relatively accessible price point also makes it an attractive introduction to the category.
Don Ramón Reposado Tequila
Brand: Casa Don Ramón Reposado
ABV: 38%
Price: $144 (750ml) at bourbonbrothers.com.au
For over 25 years, Casa Don Ramón has been working with agave fields across Jalisco, producing a range of tequila expressions built around 100% Blue Weber agave. Its Reposado is a particularly approachable entry point, with six months spent resting in French oak barrels.
That maturation gives the spirit a gentle golden colour and a little extra warmth, while allowing the underlying agave character to remain prominent. Expect citrus, particularly grapefruit and lemon, alongside herbal notes and a soft buttery finish. It's an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a versatile reposado that works equally well neat or in a Margarita.
El Tesoro
Brand: El Tesoro Añejo
ABV: 40%
Price: $171.69 (700ml) at agaveria.com.au
After nabbing multiple awards at the 2021 edition of the International Wine & Spirit Competition, El Tesoro is still the darling in the premium tequila segment.
Family-owned and helmed by third-generation Master Distiller Carlos Camarena, El Tesoro's most notable innovation is its pioneering use of Cognac casks during the maturation process.
The award-winning 'Paradiso' (awarded 98 points by the IWSC) is the ultimate expression of the El Tesoro house style. Classified 'Extra Añejo', it is rested for a minimum of five years in ex-cognac casks: a technique that gives this Tequila its "beautifully balanced" flavour profile.
Patron Silver
Brand: Patrón Silver
ABV: 40%
Price: $84.95 (700ml) at danmurphys.com.au
Patrón Silver is typically the first bottle that drinkers' minds run to when thinking about upmarket tequila with dependable availability. At any number of cocktail bars throughout Australia, there's a solid bet that the Margarita you're ordering has been built on the brand's Blanco expression.
While this bottle is particularly well suited to mixed beverages, it's also perfectly acceptable to enjoy neat. A smooth mouthfeel, fresh agave character and a pleasing balance of citrus and pepper make it a dependable candidate for the home backbar, especially if making a decent Margarita is your thing.
Soledad Tequila
Brand: G4 Blanco 54%
ABV: 54%
Price: $170.45 (750ml) at agaveria.com.au
New to this year's selection is G4, another highly regarded name among tequila enthusiasts for its traditional production methods associated with Jalisco's Los Altos region.
Produced by Master Distiller Felipe Camarena at El Pandillo, G4 is known for its meticulous approach to water, fermentation, and distillation. The Blanco 54% is especially interesting for those who prefer their agave spirits with a little more muscle. Bottled at a considerably higher strength than most standard tequilas, it adds a much-needed kick to any Marg.
Arette Gran Clase Extra Añejo
Brand: Arette Gran Clase Extra Añejo
ABV: 40%
Price: $320 at bourbonbrothers.com.au
Made using estate-grown Weber agave harvested around Jalisco, Arette's house style is typically brawny, full-bodied, and reflective of its location in the highlands of El Valle.
Known among tequila drinkers for its mixture of traditional and modern production techniques, hero releases like the Gran Clase Extra Añejo typify what makes the house so special. This premium expression is rested for 36 months in American white oak barrels, allowing the spirit to develop considerable depth and complexity.
Clase Azul
Brand: Clase Azul Reposado
ABV: 40%
Price: $378 (750ml) at danmurphys.com.au
Known for its distinctly shaped and intricately decorated bottles, Clase Azul is a common sight at high-end bars and restaurants across Australia. Widely regarded as one of the forerunners of the premium agave spirit trend, the brand has turned its packaging into something of a collector's item.
Fortunately, its Reposado expression has plenty going on beyond the presentation. Made using 100% Blue Weber agave, the hearts of the plant are slow-cooked in traditional stone ovens for a minimum of 72 hours before fermentation and distillation. The resulting spirit spends eight months in oak barrels, developing a rich, silky profile with notes of vanilla, caramel and cooked agave.
Volcán De Mi Tierra
Brand: Volcán de Mi Tierra Añejo Cristalino
ABV: 40%
Price: $119.99 (700ml) at kentstreetcellars.com.au
Literally translated as "Volcano of My Land", Volcán de Mi Tierra is the ultra-premium tequila label backed by luxury conglomerate LVMH.
At the centre of its proposition is terroir. The brand draws on the contrasting characteristics of Jalisco's Highlands and Lowlands, with its production centred around the region's volcanic landscape.
The distillery's signature Cristalino is an especially interesting expression. First aged in oak before being charcoal-filtered to remove its colour, it combines some of the richer characteristics associated with barrel-aged tequila with the visual clarity of a Blanco. Expect dried fruit, tobacco and gentle spice, alongside a clean finish.
Fortaleza Reposado
Brand: Fortaleza Reposado
ABV: 40%
Price: $169.99 (750ml) at danmurphys.com.au
For drinkers who prefer a little less emphasis on elaborate packaging and a little more attention to traditional production, Fortaleza is another Jalisco-based distillery that merits your attention.
Made using stone-crushed agave, open-air fermentation, and copper pot stills, the brand has developed a particularly loyal following among tequila enthusiasts. Its Reposado expression offers an excellent balance between the natural character of cooked agave and the influence of oak.
Rested in American oak barrels, the spirit develops notes of citrus, caramel, vanilla and cinnamon, with a long, gently spiced finish. It's an excellent introduction to the house style, whether enjoyed neat or over a large block of ice.
Teremana Tequila
Brand: Teremana Blanco
ABV: 40%
Price: $87.99 (700ml) at danmurphys.com.au
Among the handful of celebrity-backed tequila brands we're actually intrigued by, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Teremana has been making waves thanks to its approachability and strong value proposition.
Batch-distilled using 100% Blue Weber agave, the range includes Blanco, Reposado and Añejo expressions, each produced with a focus on accessible flavour and versatility.
Meanwhile, for those new to the category, the Blanco offers up clean, crisp citrus notes and a well-rounded finish. From a spot of field testing in the Boss Hunting office, we've found that the latter works particularly well in a Margarita.
Terralta
Brand: Terralta Blanco
ABV: 40%
Price: $127.59 (750ml) at agaveria.com.au
Making their agave spirit exclusively with deep-well water, Terralta is another label from iconic Master Distiller Felipe Camarena and the team at El Pandillo distillery.
Unlike sister label G4, the Terralta house style is generally regarded as being approachable: helped along by Los Altos' high altitude and iron-oxide-rich soil.
With a pretty robust skew of mature and unaged styles, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Terralta. To start, we'd recommend adding a bottle of '110 Proof' to your collection. Bottled at 55% ABV, and fermented in stainless steel, this 'nude' style shines a light on all the work Camarena is doing in the plantation and distillery.
Tequila Siete Leguas Reposado
Brand: Siete Leguas Reposado
ABV: 38%
Price: $165.99 (700ml) at bottle-stop.com.au
Among a number of other accolades, Siete Leguas can lay claim to being one of the oldest tequila distilleries in Mexico. Its aromatic, unwaveringly traditional spirits are a constant source of acclaim, made using classic production methods such as open-top fermentation and horse-drawn tahona to extract juice from the agave fibres.
The distillery was also responsible for producing the original Patrón tequila before the brand's sale in 1989. Today, Siete Leguas operates two distilleries in Jalisco, with both producing spirits that reflect the producer's longstanding commitment to traditional methods.
Tequila Ocho Plata
Brand: Tequila Ocho Reposado
ABV: 40%
Price: $139 (750ml) at bourbonbrothers.com.au
Helmed by Carlos Camarena, Tequila Ocho benefits from the influence of Blue Weber agave grown in the highland terroir of Arandas. Made at the historic La Alteña distillery, the range is a must for anyone looking for a crash course in premium-grade tequila, not to mention a fine place to start a budding collection.
The brand is particularly interesting for its commitment to single-estate production, with each vintage highlighting the character of the agave harvested from a particular field.
Our advice is to take a run at the Reposado. Matured in ex-American whiskey barrels for eight weeks and eight days, the foundational spirit is made entirely from estate-grown Blue Weber agave. The result is deliciously sippable, with a balance of cooked agave, vanilla, and gentle spice.
Pasote
Brand: Pasote Añejo
ABV: 40%
Price: $179 (750ml) at bourbonbrothers.com.au
August Sebastiani's Pasote label is another relative newcomer to the premium Tequila game, this time located at El Pandillo.
In a similar vein to G4 and Terralta, Pasote employs a mixture of rain and spring water in the production of their Tequilas (with exact proportions hovering around the 60:40 ratio at most times).
The classic styles of Reposado, Añejo, and Blanco are all accounted for; with the latter most assuredly standing out as Pasote's flagship expression. Expect clean and crisp flavours of just-cooked agave, followed by a light, peppery finish.
Código 1530 Tequila
Brand: Código 1530 Blanco
ABV: 40%
Price: $119.99 (750ml) at paulsliquor.com.au
A passion project from country music legend George Strait, Código 1530 earns its spot in this tequila-fuelled buying guide despite its obvious pop culture connections.
That's largely down to the brand's approach to production. The agave hearts at the core of every expression are harvested and roasted in traditional Jaliscan fashion, with the producer placing particular emphasis on sourcing mature Blue Weber agave and allowing its natural character to shine.
The blanco expression is an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the Código house style, before the addition of any wooden cask influences. Full of bright citrus aromas, the palate has a lot of character for an unaged tequila: offering a delicate smoothness, with plenty of mineral overtones.
Don Julio
Brand: Don Julio 1942 Añejo
ABV: 38%
Price: $267.99 (750ml) at www.danmurphys.com.au
The legendary Don Julio may be too obvious a choice when seeking out the best tequilas, but it wouldn't be an exhaustive list of the best tequilas if we didn't include it.
The legendary Jalisco distillery is as renowned as the product itself, with distillery tours there frequently touted as one of the most exciting things you can do while visiting.
As well-known as the brand's blanco and reposado expressions are, the signature Don Julio bottle is undoubtedly its '1942' Añejo. Described by boozehounds with the sort of vocabulary that was once reserved for premium whisky, this is a rich and complex agave distillate that is aged 24-30 months in small oak barrels.
1800 Tequila
Brand: 1800 Cristalino
ABV: 38%
Price: $107.99 (700ml) at danmurphys.com.au
Named for the first recorded year in which tequila was aged using wooden casks, 1800 is the 100% Weber agave imprint from the team behind José Cuervo.
An increasingly popular sight in clubs and high-end restaurants around the country, 1800's Silver and coconut-infused expressions do most of the heavy lifting, although we're particularly partial to its Cristalino.
Along with charcoal filtration, which gives this expression its trademark clarity, the spirit is matured in multiple stages, first in French and American oak barrels before being finished in Port wine casks. Think of the richness associated with an Añejo, combined with the visual clarity and a cleaner finish of a Blanco.
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