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When it comes to tequila, I believe in only buying sipping tequilas.   It is very rare that I shoot tequila and if I do, it is definitely not a high-end tequila.  For this reason, I thought it was time to share my top tequilas for sipping.

My idea of a top shelf tequila does not have a sweet or salty back taste but is smooth with a dry smoky oak profile.  Also, a tequila is meant to be served neat.  You should never mix a fine tequila with anything whatsoever.  If you want a margarita, then use a inexpensive tequila.  Save the good stuff to sip with a great cigar.

I think you will find the following sipping tequila not only reasonable in price but excellent on your taste buds.

Lapis Anejo Tequila

Lapis Anejo Tequila is my favorite tequila hands down.  Lapis is produced by the Tequileña Distillery and is the creation of Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca, Mexico’s largest highland agave cultivator. Born in Jalisco, Lapis Tequila is grown at an elevation of 5,200 feet. These rough highland growing conditions stress the agave plants creating higher levels of agave sugars in the tequila which ultimately form the aromatic and flavorful Lapis Tequila.

Both the Lapis Reposado and Anejo are aged in French oak leaving behind a complex rich buttery tequila like no other on the market.

For years I had a bottle of Lapis but refused to drink it because I could not find another bottle anywhere.  During our trip to San Diego a few years ago we were told about a Mexican restaurant in a strip center in Old Town that had great food and great tequila.  Well, when I looked at their tequila menu, Lapis was listed.  I immediately ordered a shot and asked where I could find a bottle.  They said downstairs in the liquor store.  That was how we discovered Old Town Tequila and how I am able to get Lapis tequila today.

Lapis Tequila will run you about $70 and, given the quality of the tequila, is a steal!

Amor Mio Tequila Extra Anejo

The Amor Mio Tequila Extra Anejo 5 year is a premium tequila produced by Tequila Tres Mujeres in Jalisco. An “extra anejo” means it was matured for at least three years.  Amor Mio Tequila has been aged in French oak barrels and is distilled from 100% Blue Agave.

Amor Mio Tequila Extra Anejo is woody in flavor with hints of fruits, cinnamon, chocolate, and nut notes.

Not only is this tequila not your usual tequila but neither is the bottle.  This beautiful bottle will add an extra sophistication to your tequila bar.

Amor Mio Tequila Extra Anejo will run you about $105 but it is well worth the money.

Copita Tequila Anejo

Copita Tequila Anejo is an interesting tequila with lots of flavor and definitely makes my top tequila list but if you are looking to purchase it at your local liquor store or any liquor store, good luck!  I have not found this tequila since I purchased it some years back and even trying to find information online proved impossible.  This is one of those rare tequila’s that when you cannot find any more you put it away for special occasions only.

What I do know is that Copita Tequila is produced in Jalisco and has the usual woody, caramel, and vanilla notes that one would expect from a great tequila.  However, this is definitely not like any of the other tequilas I’ve discussed.  Copita is definitely one of those tequilas that after you have had a sip you definitely want another.  That is why I definitely have to keep this bottle hidden or else it will not last much longer.

The bottle is also really unique in that it appears to have a shot glass in the bottle of the glass, which makes it even that much cooler to display.

If memory serves me right this bottle was around $55, which just makes me wonder why I didn’t go back and buy more!

Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Anejo

Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Anejo is made only from the finest Blue Agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco.  The Agave is harvested at its peak and is handpicked by the Master Distiller to ensure only the highest quality is used.

The complex flavors are due to the slow roasting of agave in ovens for 36 hours, which results in a sweet juice of caramelized flavors.  The Select Barrel is distilled in both a pot and column still and then aged in both American oak and French white oak casks given the tequila its phenomenal flavor.

This tequila pulls its vanilla and oak flavors from the two (2) oak casks while also displaying notes of caramel and chocolate giving the Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Anejo its uniqueness.

Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Anejo bottle is handmade and individually numbered to properly display the high-quality tequila contained inside.

This unique tequila will cost around $96 and your tongue will thank you for the treat.

Casamigos Anejo

Casamigos Anejo is probably one of the most popular tequila’s right now thanks to Hollywood Actor George Clooney who was one of the founders of the tequila.  However, if you hesitated to try it because his name was attached to the tequila, rethink your decision.

Casamigos was created in Jalisco and is fermented for 80 hours compared to the usual 48 hours of most other tequilas.  The agave is roasted in brick ovens for 72 hours and the Master Distiller uses a special yeast resulting in a more consistent flavor profile.  Casamigos is then aged in American white oak barrels to add a hint of oak to the vanilla, caramel, and spice flavors in the tequila.

Although Casamigos may have been developed by a Hollywood actor, it definitely does not have a Hollywood price.  You can usually pick up a bottle of Casamigos for around $54.

Casa Noble Anejo

Casa Noble Anejo Tequila also has a famous person behind its brand but this time it’s a rock star.  Carlos Santana, who’s family has roots in Jalisco, is part owner of the brand.  Another unique aspect about this particular distillery is that it is the first organic certified distillery.

This tequila is triple distilled, which brings out the amazing agave flavors leaving a smooth tequila finish.  The Anejo is aged in French white oak barrels for two (2) full years as opposed to others that are only aged for about half that time.

Casa Noble Anejo Tequila is full of fruit, vanilla, chocolate, and butterscotch flavors to enhance the overall tequila experience.

Casa Noble Anejo Tequila will cost around $55, which means you can drink like a rock star.

Tequila!

I have been drinking tequila since college but only in the last twenty years have I really been searching for those unique sipping tequilas.  Sipping tequila is not about getting drunk, it’s about the experience and enjoyment of the tequila.  It’s about elevating yourself from that college kid who use to do shots at the local Texas bar with his friends to that adult who loves the challenge of trying to determine the complexity of the tequila and decide what cigar would go best with each tequila.

The fact is you do not have to spend a lot of money to find a good sipping tequila.  Continue to try different tequilas until you find exactly what suits your pallet and allows you to sit and enjoy life for a while.  Once you learn to sip tequila, you will never shoot tequila again!