We've published more than 300 tequila reviews since our debut in January.
Through October 18, 124 of those bottles scored 90 points or higher.
That's up from 87 in our July edition. The 37 bottles added since then are marked (new).
Note: Scroll down, below the list, for more about how our scoring system works.
More than half are blancos. There are 31 reposados, 12 añejos and 12 extra añejos.
Some of these leading bottles come from legendary distilleries. Others come from brands that launched in the last few years.
Some are $30 at retail. Others approach $300.
The commonality? A trusted member of our Reviews Team thinks each one is excellent. Worth putting on your shelf, and in your glass.
These are NOT strictly the "best" tequilas of 2026. We don't review everything. We're a newsletter, not a definitive database.
But these ARE the best we've scored so far this year. Click any bottle for its full review.
The 124 Tequilas We Scored 90 or Higher in 2026 (so far)
98 Point Tequilas
96 Point Tequilas
95 Point Tequilas
Santo Fino Blanco 110 (new)
94 Point Tequilas
Fortaleza Reposado (new)
93 Point Tequilas
Cascahuín Añejo (new)
G4 Blanco (new)
92 Point Tequilas
Amatitense Rosa Reposado (new)
Amatiteña Barrancas (new)
La Pulga Blanco 110 (new)
Volans Reposado (new)
91 Point Tequilas
4 Copas Añejo (new)
Cachasol Blanco (new)
Don Vicente Extra Añejo (new)
Siempre Añejo (new)
90 Point Tequilas
El Bagazo Blanco (new)
El Tesoro Reposado (new)
El Viejito Plata Fuerte (new)
Kokoro Plata (new)
Terralta Reposado (new)
How We Do Ratings at The Tequila Report
As Reviews Editor, I see all our reviews and feel all of the feedback. Here are some thoughts after nine-plus months and more than 300 reviews published.
I often hear from consumers that our scores are high. We sometimes hear from brands that our scores are too low. Maybe that means we're doing it just right?
Here's how our system actually works.
We Use Individual Reviews, Not Aggregate Scores
Each review is written by one person from our experienced Reviews Team. The score is not an average from our staff, or an official position from The Tequila Report as an entity.
Think of it more as an editorial in a newspaper. It's one (knowledgeable) person's opinion, of one bottle, of one batch, usually tasted on one day.
Our reviewers have slightly different palates, just like our readers do. Here's a tip: find the reviewer whose palate matches yours most closely and follow more of their reviews.
We Use All 100 Points
You might be familiar with the online database and mobile app Agave Matchmaker. We love them, work with them, and aren't trying to imitate or replace them.
Our ratings are intentionally different. Both use a 100-point scale. But you'll see a wider spread of scores from our individual reviewers on some of your favorite tequilas than the average Panel score on Agave Matchmaker.
Partly that's because when Agave Matchmaker panelists (I'm one of about 100 of them, as are many of our reviewers) review a tequila, they can see the scores everyone else already gave. That tends to create a bit of mathematical conformity. It's human nature.
On Agave Matchmaker you won't find many average Panel scores above 91 points, for just about any bottle. There, a 92 pretty much functions like a perfect 100.
When we started The Tequila Report, we wanted to use all 100 points (or at least 98 of them, since that's still our highest score).
Through October 18, about 27% of our reviews are rated Excellent (91+), 60% are rated Good (81-90), and 13% are a Pass (80 or below). Our lowest and highest scores are 54 and 98.
We think that's a fair representation of the tequila market overall. It also reflects the bottles we choose to review.
Our Points Are Based on Different Criteria
Our ratings are built on an assessment of Aroma, Flavor, Finish and Character.
Notably, there is no "Value" component to our ratings, as there currently is at Agave Matchmaker and other sources.
We believe the value of a tequila is separate from its quality, and highly personal. We don't give extra credit for affordability, and we don't mathematically scold expensive bottles.
If it's good, it's good. Whether you want to pay for it is your call, not ours.
Ratings With a Story
Ratings are just one part of a review. We believe the story of who makes it and why is even more valuable, especially for our tequila-curious readers.
Our reviews include brand story and production highlights, in addition to tasting notes. That complements our weekly long-form brand features and dedicated education articles.
In short, The Tequila Report reviews are:
Individually signed by a member of our Reviews Team, who stands behind the opinion
Based on a true 100-point scale
Not affected by price or "value"
Written with narrative to help you understand how and why the tequila was made
As we say in our motto: Celebrate Your Spirit.
About the Author
Mike Barad is passionate about agave and community. He founded the Great Lakes Tequila Club and proudly serves on the board of the Tequila that Cares Foundation.
He is also the reviews editor at The Tequila Report.
Find him on Instagram.
