The 8 Best Tequila Brands to Drink in 2026
Tequila remains popular despite a downturn in the broader spirits industry, with consumers increasingly favoring brands that use traditional production methods and avoid additives. This list highlights eight high-quality tequila brands worth drinking in 2026, emphasizing flavor, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Notable picks include El Tesoro, Tapatío, and El Tequileño, each offering distinct expressions from blanco to extra añejo.
- ▪Tequila must be made from Blue Weber agave and produced in five Mexican states, with Jalisco being the most prominent.
- ▪Traditional tequila production involves cooking agave piñas, crushing them with a tahona wheel, and fermenting the juice, though some modern methods use autoclaves and diffusers.
- ▪The Consejo Regulador del Tequila has restricted the use of 'additive-free' labeling, affecting popular celebrity-backed brands like Casamigos and 818.
- ▪El Tesoro is credited with creating the first extra añejo tequila and aging in cognac casks, with notable releases finished in Scotch and Japanese whisky barrels.
- ▪Tapatío, produced at La Alteña distillery, offers a range of expressions including a 110-proof blanco and a rare Excelencia Extra Añejo aged five years and rested in glass for ten more.
- ▪El Tequileño has been used in the classic La Batanga cocktail and offers long-aged expressions like its six-year Reposado Rare.
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Getty ImageFood & DrinkDrinksThe 8 Best Tequila Brands to Drink in 2026Follow DrinksView feedThe 8 Best Tequila Brands to Drink in 2026Whether you sip neat or mix into a margarita, you need the best tequila for the best experience. Our favorite brands won’t let you down.By Jonah FlickerPublished: May 1, 202627 min readThe spirits industry has hit a rough patch. Sales are down across all categories as people—especially younger people, sorry to point fingers—are drinking less. An uncertain economic environment means people are saving their money instead of spending it on things like booze. Still, tequila has become incredibly popular over the past few years. There are a ridiculous amount of brands out there to choose from. Yes, some of them have celebrity names attached.
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