Whats a good inexpensive tequila to drink?!
Answers: If you are going to sip it, you should really pick up one of the higher end, more expensive anejo tequilas (i.e. El Tesoro's anejo or Tezon's anejo). For the cheaper end, Tres Generaciones is pretty inexpensive for a 100% agave tequila and is nice as well as Don Eduardo. Stay away from anything that isn't 100% agave as well as El Jimador and Oro Azul.
patron
I like Sauza. It is inexpensive yet high quality compared to many others. While I don't like the "gold" version, the silver or clear one is my hands-down favorite. You should like it too. It is also a very old brand and is available nearly anywhere.
What do you consider "inexpensive?"
Jose Cuervo gold is pretty decent for the money, but I've known a lot of people who are partial to Two Fingers...and the Two Fingers people seem to lean to the silver.
Around here, Patron is about $40 for a liter, but it is my personal preferrence for a sipping/shooter tequila.
As for tequila...
good inexpensive is an oxymoron.
It depends on your intents. I worked in a Mexican restaurant and i am well versed in tequila. If the intent is for sipping, anejo is the way to go. Some people recommend Patron but i recommend Don Julio or Don Eduardo. If its for margaritas, it would be a waste to use such a nice brand. Repasados or blancos are excellent for this. One of my favorite combinations is Don Julio Repasado with Grand Marnier instead of triple sec. Makes for a smooth margarita with great flavor.
get torada. strong tequila for 15 bucks a fifth
Stan, do you realise that the "gold" (oro) is the same thing as the silver/clear (blanco) tequila? The "gold" (oro) is just blanco tequila that has been colored to make it look like its been aged.
There are 3 (or four if you count the colored Oro) types of tequila. The first is blanco tequila. This is tequila that hasn't been aged at all. The next is Reposado, which is aged in an oak barrel for at least 2 months, but less then one year. The color changes due to contact with the wood. (the flavor also changes) The next is Anejo, which is aged for at least one year, but less then three years. (there is a new extra Anejo that is aged for at least 3 but no more then 5.)
Most of your tequilas that you'd find in a store are blanco/oro tequilas. Most Sauza and Jose tequilas are these types. Whats worse, is that most of these that people buy aren't 100% blue agave, which is the plant that tequila is made from.
Now that we are all educated, whats a good cheap tequila to drink? As some other posters have said, what is it being used for? If you are sipping it or taking shots, look for a 100% reposado/anejo. Sauza and Jose do make some, but its not the $15 for a fifth stuff you normally buy. (can be found for ~$22) I buy some stuff from my local store called De Los Altos. A fifth of there reposado/anejo is a little over $30. Its as smooth as Patron, but without the high price. If you are looking to make mixed drinks out of it, then just grab whatever cheap stuff you can find. The mixers will cover the taste. (I would at least still stay with anything that is 100% blue agave.)
Cuervo is good, but so is sauza, but for a bit more money i'd go with herradura ;)