Within the world of agave cocktails, and by extension the domain of agave spirits enthusiasts, it is blanco tequila that reigns supreme. Not only does it form the base of tequila’s most beloved classics, but, if you ask those enthusiasts, it is also the most transparent lens through which to understand the agave plant and the spectrum of earthy, mineral, green flavors that make tequila, tequila.
For many, the addition of barrel-aging threatens to mask these flavors, requiring a deft hand when it comes to marrying the vanilla and spice flavors imparted by oak to this more linear, austere greenness. Reposado tequila is a good category through which to examine this perceived conundrum. Aged at least two months, but no longer than 12 (añejo requires a minimum of 12 months, by contrast), the style is defined by a producer’s ability to capitalize on the aforementioned tension. So, how are some of tequila’s most respected additive-free producers doing? To find out, we assembled 15 reposado bottlings under $50 for a blind tasting. The questions that guided our process were, principally: Is this good? Do we like this? Is this a spirit that represents the category well? Is this something you’d sip solo and mix into cocktails? Utility is key.
Taken as a whole, the 15 bottles we tasted represent a wide range of expressions, from those that felt barely aged and thus read almost like blancos, to those that clearly allowed the barrel to lead the way. The five we chose below were simply our favorites, but they also offer a complete snapshot of this incredible range.
Editor’s note: Because prices vary by market, certain bottles listed below may retail for slightly above $50.
