Words by Aidy Smith
I do love a good tequila as Winter rolls around. This spirit is so versatile, you can sip with tonic, completely neat or in a more adventurous style with your own margarita recipe. Truth is, I’ve always looked at tequila as a ‘coming together’ drink, which is exactly what Christmas is all about! So without further anticipation - here are some of our absolute favourites to check out this Christmas!
Storywood Tequila
Just as you thought the tequila space couldn’t get any more exciting… WHAM! Storywood enters. And when I say exciting, this is going to blow your mind. These guys have taken an oath to do exactly what their name suggests… tell a story, through the wood. That’s why their range is so innovatively curious. Okay, so what are we talking about? Reposado Tequila aged in Oloroso Sherry Casks, check. Double Oak Añejo? Yep. How about a selection of Reposados and an Añejo aged in single malt Speyside casks? Got that too. If you know people who love both tequila and scotch, they’ve got you covered. If you know people who just like discovering something new that is damn tasty – well, they’ve got you there too.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40% - 53%
Find here: £39.99 - £48.99
Casa Dragones Blanco
These guys create another one of the ultimate sipping tequilas and arguably one of the ‘purest’ looking bottles I’ve seen too. I love to use these as water bottles once I’ve finished the nectar inside. Small batch, 100% blue agave which has been around for 7-9 years ripened to perfection in the rich lands of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The water is pretty neat too, beneath the earth’s surface in hundreds of 70-meter natural aquifers straight from the Volcano of Tequila! Perhaps that what gives it such a pure and distinct taste…
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £90 // $69.99
Vivir Blanco
One of the best Blancos on the market right now. This 100% agave beauty is produced from 9-year-old Weber Blue Agave on their estate. One smell gives you fresh clean agave with a floral burst. Super easy drinking and premium in nature you can sip or turn into one of the best margaritas you’ll ever have. Just avoid the salt-rim, this is a tequila you WANT to taste.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40% ABV
Find here: £34.95
Pancho Datos Reposado Tequila
Don’t you love it when people do something and do it really bloody well? Enter, Pancho Datos with their Reposado. We’re talking 100% Blue Weber Agave aged in American white oak barrels that had previously held mature bourbon whisky. The result is an ultra-smooth sip-worthy tequila with a pure agave, vanilla-caramel flavour. Perfect either by itself or enjoyed in the form of cocktail creativity such a Tequila Old Fashioned.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40% ABV
Find here: £50
Casamigos Añejo
If it’s got George Clooney’s face on it, let’s not beat around the agave bush, you want that in your mouth. No, but seriously, this is an outstanding tequila. It may be widely available but their master distiller (who’s never actually been named) is working wonders. I have as much confidence in this as I do in Clooney’s acting career. Strong game. They use 100% Blue Weber agave with an age of 7-9 years, slow cooking the piñas for 72 hours in their traditional brick ovens. The 80-hour fermentation process coupled alongside a signature yeast blend gives this tequila its refined flavour. The Añejo then sits in American white oak casks for 14 months to elevate its game even further. Pure agave, soft caramel, gentle vanilla and a sweetly spiced oak fill your mouth with joy. If only it came with a side of George…
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £58 // $48.99
Gran Patrón Platinum Tequila
I love a good tequila, it seems to be one of the spirits I’ve really found an appreciation for over the last few years. If I was to name one house that consistently delivers quality across its whole portfolio, my mind takes me straight to Patrón. It seems there’s a little something for everyone and while I’ll happily get my hands on a Reposado for my margarita needs (quick tip, avoid the salt rim, it ruins the drink), I love nothing more than to sip on something of premium quality. That brings me to Gran Patrón Platinum, arguably the world’s first ulta-premium tequila. With each bottle taking around 30 people to create, quality is of the utmost level. Agave is individually sourced for its rich sugar content before being harvested, triple distilled and left for 30 days in oak tanks to create pure elegance. The result is a smooth and seductive nectar of agave, orange, vanilla, lime and white peppercorns. Pure bliss if you ask me and don’t even get me started on a Mexican Martini (google it, you won’t be disappointed).
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £225 // $199.99
Looking for other gift ideas? Don’t forget to check out our vodka, gin and no-low gift guides!