What Is the best brand of Tequila to buy?!
Answers: ~I want something that is really good AND very affordable. I already have a bottle of Jose Cuervo Especial, but I haven't tried it yet, and it's not white. It's a more golden color. Why? I like to but Bacardi, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, and somrtimes Absolut. That should give you an idea of my price range.
First of all, toss the Cuervo. It's a terrible tequila. Aging has a lot to do with the color, but in the case of Cuervo, it's just carmel coloring (basically sugar) that darkens it.
There are a number of good tequilas for under 30 bucks, which for most folks is the "reasonable" price range.
To get the correct tequila experience, don't drink anything that doesn't say 100% agave (like junk like regular Cuervo or Sauza). These are cheap poorly made tequilas designed to sell to college kids to get drunk. They are only 51% real tequila, and the rest are fillers like corn syrup and grain alcohol (and thus the hangover the next day is born).
The aging has a lot to do with the taste, so try a few to see which style you like best, and then remember how the aging is labeled:
Blanco (because it's totally clear) - no aging
Reposado - minimally aged at least 2 months, but can be up to 1 year
Anejo - heavily aged, minimally 1 year but less than 3 years.
Some really expensive ones can even be aged longer than that, but you'll want to work your way up to those.
In the under $30 range, for a 750ml bottle, ones I would recommend are:
Cazadores reposado
Correlejo reposado
XXX Reposado (from the Casa Noble family)
Milagro reposado
Just over that, in the $30-$50 range (for a 750ml bottle) you will find some great ones too, like:
Patron
Don Julio
Dos Lunas
Patron spends more money on marketing in the US, which why so many people talk about it, and they do make decent tequilas, but you can find better for less that just don't have the same marketing budget.
If price is no object, and you want the very best, get Herradura Seleccion Suprema. It's considered an ultra-anejo. It's about $320/bottle. It's an ultra anejo tequila aged for 5 years. Dark brown in color and more like a smooth cognac or bourbon than a cheap tequila.
The best tequilas in the world are ultra anejos that have been aged for years, the Suprema being my favorite.
You can also check out Don Julio 1942, Don Julio Real, Jose Cuervo de la Familia and Gran Patron (sometimes called Platinum), all of which fall into the same category.
patron
Two Fingers Gold definitly better than Jose. Cheaper too.
I like the Patron but that can be really expensive like around 40 bucks a pop but it does get you really messed up. Even if you want to put it as a mixer. But if you want something thats affordable and that is smooth than you can try Herradura or Reposado.
Cazadores Anjeo