Food & Drink

The Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals of 2021

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Celebrities turned their consideration to whiskey in 2021, which left the tequila world free to discover new merchandise and not using a bunch of Hollywood varieties sniffing round. Whew! Innovation is operating wild down in Mexico today, with some actually fascinating merchandise hitting the scene of late. As we all the time do round this time of yr, it’s time to look again and spotlight the ten finest tequilas and mezcals that hit our palates in 2021. Don’t even take into consideration breaking out the salt and lime wedges.

1. El Mayor Tequila Extra Anejo – Rum Cask Finish – Tequila and rum sounds somewhat like we’re moving into Lengthy Island Iced Tea territory (and don’t neglect there’s 3 ½ years of bourbon barrel within the combine, too) – however El Mayor (topping our listing for the second yr in a row) does some magic with this further anejo, delivering a maple-infused candy operator that’s loaded with notes of Milky Means sweet bars. A touch of hogo on the end reminds you of the rum affect, with some baking spice components lingering. 80 proof. $130 [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]

2. Lejana Y Sola Mezcal Joven – PaQui Tequila’s mezcal model is nearly excellent, candy and smoky with notes of citrus and caramel all within the combine. Properly-balanced and vivid, it’s a simple mezcal that’s nearly inconceivable to place down – smoky sunshine in a glass. 84 proof. $60 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

3. El Sativo Single Estate Tequila Blanco – This Lowlands blanco is a monster, daring with greenery and pepper components that meld properly with its creamy texture and plush physique. It’s all fruit because the end approaches. Your margarita is looking. 80 proof. $41 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

4. Tequila Partida Roble Fino Reposado – Partida launched an upscale line of tequilas earlier this yr, and whereas the reposado cristalino bottling is strong, this normal reposado is even higher. Aged 6 months in bourbon barrels and a pair of months in sherry-seasoned single malt Scotch casks, it provides the perfect of two whiskey worlds, balancing hearty agave character with sweeter, cookie-like notes tinged with anise. Advanced and decidedly worthwhile as a sipper. 86 proof. $120 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY] [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]

5. Espanita Tequila Blanco – One other aggressive blanco, with a curious fringe of cinnamon. Barely candy on the palate, the tequila perks up with a peppery character that pairs nicely with the baking spice and natural components on the tongue. Nice steadiness, and a strong value. 80 proof. $30 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

6. La Adelita Tequila Black Cristalino – A brand new entry into the budding cristalino market, La Adelita isn’t black however utterly clear as anticipated, aged for 18 months earlier than filtration and crammed with an fascinating saline character that balances out the honey and candy-coated sweetness. Satisfying and sultry. 80 proof. $70 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

7. Madre Mezcal Espadin y Cuishe – A mix of espadin and madrecuishe (aka cuishe) agave, this ensamble fashion mezcal provides that classically candy, overripe nostril, touched with loads of savory/salty components. These notes seem in layers because the palate develops, giving the mezcal a definite punchiness. 90 proof. $52 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

8. Dos Primos Tequila Blanco – From the identical distillery that makes El Mayor comes this snazzy new blanco, an agave-driven operator that runs you thru the spice cupboard earlier than deciding on notes of coconut and vanilla, uncommon in an unaged tequila. Properly off the pepper-heavy path of typical blancos, it’s a tequila for these trying to stretch their boundaries a bit. 80 proof. $44 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

9. Tequila Partida Cristalino Anejo – One other luxe providing from Partida, this one from its normal lineup (not the Roble Fino sub-brand). The basic cristalino begins with 18 month in oak earlier than being filtered, lending it the standard, dessert-like traits of butterscotch, caramel, and vanilla. On the similar time its grassy, natural notes remind you that is tequila in spite of everything, and never some loopy clear whiskey. Nice worth contemplating how cristalinos often go. 80 proof. $53

10. Mijenta Tequila Blanco – Mijenta burst on the scene early this yr, with Volcan de Mi Tierra’s Ana Maria Romero chargeable for crafting the country, natural, and chili pepper-like spirit. It lightens up because it goes, although an preliminary spherical of honeyed sweetness offers option to a extra sultry, pastoral end. Authentic as hell, however perhaps not for everybody. We’ll be reviewing the reposado and extra quickly. 80 proof. $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]

El Mayor Tequila Further Anejo – Rum Cask End

$130

Ranking


9.5/10

The Top 10 Tequilas and Mezcals of 2021

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