Your 20 Favorite Tequila Brands Overall

Late last year, we asked Tequila Report readers (formerly Tequila Jay Baer readers) to vote on their favorite tequila brands. More than 1,000 of you participated, making this the largest independent poll of tequila preferences available.

Here are your top 20 favorite tequila brands. Remember, this includes all expressions from the brand, not a particular bottle or release.

Note: Images below do not show all expressions made by each brand

Distillery NOM: 1146
Location: Tequila (Valley), although agaves are from The Highlands
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 91

Notes: The winner of Readers’ Choice extra añejo, it’s remarkable that a brand that makes a grand total of ONE tequila expression is recognized as top 20 overall

Distillery NOM: 1108
Location: Tequila (Valley)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 89

Notes: El Tequileño is an interesting example of a tequila brand that offers a wide range of expressions, all of them good. It includes a mixto blanco, a full range of core 100% agave tequilas, a still strength blanco, and a handful of special releases. Always worth it!

Distillery NOM: 1414
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 92

Notes: A winner in last year’s Best New Brands awards, Alma del Jaguar elevates to the overall brands list by delivering a consistent range of blanco, reposado, añejo, and high-proof blanco, along with an acclaimed series of experimental Barricas añejos

Also, a brand-new and incredible special añejo (mix of American and French oak at 46.8% ABV, designed with The Tequila Report)

Distillery NOM: 1533
Location: Valle de Guadalupe (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 83

Notes: One of the most recognizable packages in the tequila industry, the signature recycled green glass and swing top of La Gritona is a huge favorite among bartenders. Made by Melly Barajas and her all-female distillery team, La Gritona is also a brand that offers just one expression.

Distillery NOM: 1139
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 93

Notes: History in a bottle from La Alteña, founded in 1937. This pride of Arandas has a slightly rustic, mineral flavor that some say tastes the way tequila used to taste. They also pioneered the high-proof blanco category with their blanco 110, and their rare extra añejo gets top marks

Distillery NOM: 1109
Location: Tequila (Valley)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 90

Notes: Made at El Llano, a fixture in Tequila town for 125 years, Arette produces a full line of affordable, core tequilas and also a complete range of higher-end, artisanal expressions

Distillery NOM: 1449
Location: Atotolnico el Alto (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): not ranked

Notes: One of the best-selling tequila brands in the world, Don Julio's blanco and reposado are nearly ubiquitous, although many tequila fans might say the luxury-focused 1942 expression is the crown jewel, possibly alongside the Don Julio 70 cristalino.

Distillery NOM: 1579
Location: Jesús María (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 94

Notes: Owned by the hardworking husband-and-wife duo Cristina and Chad Allen, Volans continues to produce excellent expressions crafted by Felipe Camarena at El Pandillo. Their still-strength blanco is a noteworthy favorite

Distillery NOM: 1414
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 94

Notes: Another brand that was included in last year’s Best New Brands list and is now featured among the best brands overall, Lost Lore is one of the most innovative tequila companies in existence today. Working with master distiller Sergio Cruz, Lost Lore brings a steady stream of limited edition projects to the market, experimenting with barrels, production equipment, yeast, and more

Distillery NOM: 1123
Location: El Arenal (Valley)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 94

Notes: Founded by National Geographic photographer Andy Bardon, Wild Common makes full use of the equipment and skills available at the Cascahuín distillery. In 2025, the first-ever Wild Common añejo was released, and like everything from the brand, it is excellent

Distillery NOM: 1120
Location: Atotolnico el Alto (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 94

Notes: There is a rich family history at this important, historic distillery that produces only a single brand. It is also noteworthy for blending two distinct production processes to create their tequilas. Fortunately, Siete Leguas is fairly easy to find and consistently delivers quality. In 2025, they released their high-proof "47" blanco for the first time.

Distillery NOM: 1499
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 88

Notes: Crafted by master distiller Ana Maria Romero, Mijenta combines a solid core lineup with occasional, intriguing special releases, including one in 2025 that featured agaves from five different Mexican states. It is also one of the most environmentally committed tequila brands

Distillery NOM: 1123
Location: El Arenal (Valley)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 99 - highest overall score

Notes: As the top tequila brand according to our reviews team and the eighth overall among readers, Cascahuín enjoys a notable distinction. Like Arette, they provide a core lineup that is more affordable, alongside higher-end options (usually blancos) and a selection of annual special editions that quickly become collectors' items

Distillery NOM: 1146
Location: Tequila (Valley) Agaves from Highlands
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 92

Notes: Masters of barrels and blending, and at the very forefront of what’s possible with wood and time, Don Fulano is the most popular tequila brand devoted to the use of European oak. Not one to produce many one-off special editions, the core lineup is outstanding on its own

Distillery NOM: 1139
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 91

Notes: Owned by the conglomerate Suntory Global Spirits, but still made by Carlos Camarena and his associates, El Tesoro has maintained high quality even as it continues to grow. Their agave-forward approach, fair pricing, and intriguing collaborations with Suntory stablemates like Laphroaig make El Tesoro a solid choice.

Distillery NOM: 1614
Location: Amatitan (Valley)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 90

Notes: A few years ago, when Cazcanes moved distilleries, there was some concern that quality would fall and the brand would suffer. Instead, the brand has expanded significantly and continues to release solid products. Most recently to appear are two rosa expressions, the Nuestras Raíces agave spirit, the new #7 XA, and a joven. Whew! These guys are busy.

Distillery NOM: 1468
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 87

Notes: Recently purchased by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, LALO is one of the great tequila success stories of the post-pandemic era. Co-founded by Lalo Gonzalez, the grandson of Don Julio Gonzalez (of Don Julio fame), this brand started only with a blanco expression and is still blanco-only, with a high-proof version released each autumn. With big-time distribution on the way, LALO is about to be everywhere you look.

Distillery NOM: 1474 and 1139
Location: Arandas (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 93

Notes: Co-created by Carlos Camarena and Tomás Estes, Tequila Ocho expressions are prominent in the Readers’ Choice Awards, and for good reason. Each batch of Ocho is made with agaves from a single field (or region, starting in 2026), demonstrating the power of tequila terroir. Their barrel-light approach and increasingly affordable pricing make their bottles top picks even for newer tequila consumers.

Distillery NOM: 1579
Location: Jesús María (Highlands)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 97

Notes: Somehow, after more than two years of insane growth, G4 is still excellent. As production expands, quality has remained high. The creation of a new barrel room and a second production line should keep G4 (even the aged expressions) on shelves across the United States. Cheers to that!

Distillery NOM: 1493
Location: Tequila (Valley)
Our reviewers’ brand score (1-100): 96

Notes: The cult status of Fortaleza cannot be overstated: the signature bottle and stopper, the labeling, the scarcity - all contribute to its legendary reputation. However, none of this would matter if the tequila itself weren’t exceptional. Fortunately, the liquid inside is just as impressive as the brand, as evidenced by the placement of their expressions across these Readers’ Choice Awards

Of your 20 favorite brands overall, eight are made in the Tequila Valley, and the other 12 are made in The Highlands.

Distilleries making more than one Top 20 Readers’ Choice brand include:

NOM 1123, Cascahuín (Cascahuín, Wild Common)

NOM 1139, La Alteña (Tapatio, El Tesoro, and some Tequila Ocho production)

NOM 1146, Tequileña (Tears of Llorona, Don Fulano)

NOM 1414, Sergio Vivanco & Associates (Alma del Jaguar, Lost Lore)

NOM 1579, El Pandillo (G4, Volans)

Four brands in the Top 20 are the only brands made at their distillery, including:

NOM 1108, Jorge Salles Cuervo & Associates (El Tequileño)

NOM 1109, Arette/El Llano (Arette)

NOM 1120, Siete Leguas

NOM 1449, Diago México (Don Julio)

NOM 1493, Los Abuelos (Fortaleza)