The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night

the best whisky alternatives for burns night

January 25th brings Burns Night, the birthday of The Scottish Bar, Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. His classic works like Auld Lang Syne are known across the world, and traditionally, haggis and Scotch are served after reading Rabbie’s words to ‘address the haggis’.

It’s the perfect excuse to pour out a special dram, but believe it or not Scotch lovers, not everyone loves it! So, whether it’s wine, spirits, or even alcohol-free drinks you’re looking for, these are the best alternatives to sip on during Burns Night, that give nods to the event without going the whole hog, or the whole haggis. Enjoy!

WINE

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

Another fantastic wine drinker’s choice for Burns Night is this Double Barrel Shiraz... because it’s literally aged in Scotch whisky barrels! Available in almost all supermarkets, this Jacob’s Creek range includes other wines finished with Scotch, but the Australian Shiraz is really top notch. It’s first matured in traditional oak wine barrels, building richness and elegance with hints of blueberry and ripe plum. Finishing in Scotch barrels leaves for a seriously moreish easy-drinking smoothness as well as vanilla and charry oak notes. It’s a fantastic food-friendly Shiraz that would sing alongside beef, mushrooms, and blue cheese.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £10 (usually £12!) Sainsbury’s // US $21.99

1000 Stories Chardonnay

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night 1000 Stories Chardonnay

1000 Stories make a number of wines, with each fermenting in charred barrels that once housed iconic Kentucky bourbon. We’ve picked out their Chardonnay which reimagines the Cali classic without losing the characteristic of what makes the full-bodied grape so loved. The result is lush, charred vanilla and toasted caramel perfectly balanced by the more familiar baked apple and pear. The inclusion of a little Viognier adds even more intrigue with tropical hints in the background. Gorgeous!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5% 
Find here: UK £16.50 Tesco // US $16.99

SPIRITS

Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend

The peak of rum heritage is Mount Gay who release some absolute crackers, and the dark and brooding XO is right up there. Resting for between 8-15 years in a combination of American whiskey, bourbon and Cognac casks creates a precision balance. A lovely oakiness underlines everything, decorated with inviting notes of waxy pear and sticky toffee fig pudding. Full-flavour, impossibly smooth, and finally the very gentle warming spice that you need on Burns Night – it’s the best rum option to replace Scotch. Try it with a large coconut water ice cube to really accentuate the coconut notes too.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £54.59 // US $64.99

Firkin Gin Islay Cask

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Firkin Gin Islay Cask

Firkin Gin produce some delicious gin, many finished with wines and whiskies. We even tried their Côtes Du Roussillon in, ‘The Three Drinkers Do Scotch Whisky’, but on Burns Night, gin lovers should go to their Islay Cask! Best known for Scotch, Firkin Gin have imparted that Islay character into this London dry-style gin by resting it in oak casks that used to house local whisky. In amongst the juniper, lime and honey botanicals, peat smoke wafts through on the nose before distinct vanilla and sea-breeze notes on the palate. The peppery finish ties up the peaty elements nicely, for a gin that is both light, zesty, and coastal, but smoky too. Explore it neat but perhaps serve with ginger beer after that.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £34.99

Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila

Raised in Texas but born in Scotland, Michael Ballantyne founded the award-winning Storywood to produce tequila, ‘with the heart of Mexico and the soul of Scotland’. It’s unusual to see Speyside and Tequila in the same sentence, but the 100% blue weber agave añejo matures in Scotch casks from the area for 14 months to create one of the most uniquely layered tequilas around. Think caramelised nuts and toasted oak, intertwining with the earthy and vegetal agave that sits at the heart of it. Innovative and well worth a try to see if the combination is a hit for you!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £49.30

Kalak Peat Cask Vodka

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Kalak Peat Cask Vodka

Another expression you don’t see often but just so happens to be the perfect alternative to Scotch for Burns Night... cask-aged vodka. Kalak’s crisp Irish malted barley vodka is distilled four times and finished in virgin American oak casks charred over Irish peat fires. What an image that is! A mellow smoke coats the bakery profile of vanilla, gingerbread, and cream wonderfully. The whisky presence is far from overbearing if you’re worried about that, it just adds a new toasted layer to the existing characteristics. We think this would also create some really unique cocktails, like a Smoky Martini. Cheers to Rabbie!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.90

Beeble Honey Whisky Liqueur

Beeble Honey Whisky Liqueur

If you’re anything like us you’ll be instantly curious about that distinct honied hue and giant bee, and even more intrigued about what ‘honey spirit’ is. When the founders began their first hive, they found it difficult to avoid wasting the honey that stuck to the frames. They tried soaking them in whisky and the first Beeble batch was born. They now have over 130 sustainable hives, and still only use honey, water, and whisky. English apple blossom honey blends with Scotch for a super silky and floral bottling at just 30%. If you really don’t like whisky, then maybe stay clear but if you want to explore a much easier drinking sweet liqueur version, then this is a must try. It won a Great Taste Award in 2020 for its original flavour so see what you think!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 30%
Find here: £32

NO LO

Feragaia

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Feragaia

If you don’t drink alcohol but still want to sip on something special for the celebrations, then how about Feragaia? It’s a Scottish alcohol-free spirit combining 14 wild botanicals including chamomile, bay leaf and seaweed with local Scottish water. The grounding spices like pink peppercorn work well with the coastal Kelp and fresh lemon and blackcurrant for a really balanced and clean feeling of flora and earth. It might look like a very pale whisky, but Feragaia doesn’t intend to try to replicate a spirit, instead they hope that this stands in its own right as its own thing. Bravo!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £19.94

Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke’

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke’

Crossip has a great range of booze-free spirits, but it was Dandy Smoke that picked up The Independent’s Best Overall Non-Alcoholic Spirit of 2021, and it has that Scotch profile we’re looking for. It’s smoky (obviously!) and velvet smooth with satisfying viscosity, which is important because a thin feel can be an issue with booze-free spirits. Underneath the enjoyable texture are layers of warming spice with a subtly medicinal punch not dissimilar from Islay expressions. It’s a smaller bottle than most but a little goes a long way with this one. Try it with cola or ginger ale, or even at the base of a fresh mocktail!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £22

If after all that you’ve come full circle and just want quality Scotch for Burns Night, then check out our list of the very best, from budget to blowout.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

calum ecroyd writer bio

The Best Tequila To Gift This Christmas

best tequila to gift this christmas

There’s no drink more harmed by its own reputation than tequila. Far too many people have mixed memories of shots, salt, and lime and have simply written it off as a throat burner. Wrong!

Whilst it’s always possible it’s just not to someone’s taste, it’s more likely that a little bit more exploring would go a long way. Tequila is a versatile spirit for all times of the year, and these beauties below shouldn’t be anywhere near shot glasses or salt. No burn, just pure agave nectar!

Whereas tequila may have once brought you and your friends together in the club, let it now become a coming together drink at Christmas time instead... and you can actually cherish it this time. So, whether you want to treat yourself, win over a doubting Thomas, or just impress a sombrero-wearing tequila lover this Christmas, we’ve listed our favourite tequilas of each type below!

The Best Blanco Tequila to Gift

El Espolòn Blanco

El Espolòn Blanco

Renowned master distiller Cirilo Oropeza is behind this beautiful Blanco, crafting it in the highlands of Jalisco. This 100% blue agave beauty is bottled without aging, so just one smell gives you fresh agave front and centre, with floral notes and sweet flavours after sipping. What a bottle too! Espolòn comes from the spur of the rooster's foot, a bird of great significance in Mexican culture, so of course, there’s a Day of the Dead skeleton riding one on the label, what else?

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £26.49

Próspero Blanco

Próspero Blanco

Celebrities love to dip their toes into the world of tequila and mezcal, and in this case, Rita Ora has joined forces with distilling maestro Stella Anguiano to create Próspero. They have three styles: Blanco, Reposado and Añejo, but the Blanco stands apart from standard, un-aged tequila with a distinctly vibrant bouquet floral aroma followed by true 100% agave character and a slight spice to finish. If you’re looking for a cocktail Tequila, then this will definitely hold its corner, but it’s more than well-rounded enough to enjoy solo. We have to shout out the gorgeously designed bottle again. The Mexicans certainly know how to entice us in that’s for sure! Perfect for Christmas gifting.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £30.49

Tapatio 110 Blanco Tequila

Tapatio 110 Blanco Tequila

Tapatio Blanco is a tequila that you’ll spot in many bars, but not this special edition. 110 proof, it’s a lip-smacking 55% ABV, so if you know someone that’s a seasoned tequila drinker, they might love this punchy concentrated flavour. There’s a loveable fruitiness from nose to finish, and a pleasant hit of peppery spice on the palate. Maybe not one for a newbie, but if you’re already a convert, this is a must try.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 55%
Find here: £31

Calle 23 Blanco

Calle 23 Blanco

Another stylish bottle with that all important 100% agave trait you should seek out, this is an extremely pure expression of quality Blanco Tequila. It’s smooth and seductive with cooked agave at the fore. There are hints of citrus and herbaceous notes, but if you’re an agave purist then trust us, you’ll adore this!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.99

Casa Noble Blanco

Casa Noble Blanco

This triple-distilled super smooth Blanco uses 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the rich, volcanic soil of the mountains in western Jalisco. There’s nothing rough around the edges at all, it’s simply pure, well balanced crisp nectar, with flavours of honey, fresh citrus and the agave itself which has an appetising buttery-sweetness to it. No lime or salt anywhere near this please.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £53.44

Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila

What we’ve got here is possibly the world’s first crystal clear multi-aged tequila. It’s an innovative blend of reposado (partially aged), añejo (aged for over a year) and extra añejo (aged for over three years). Usually, you would expect some colouring but with Dobel it’s filtered out, whilst retaining the beautiful creamy flavour and complexity the aging brings. With stunning layering of maple, nuts, and honey, this is ideal for anyone looking to try something a little different. It’s seriously good.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £47.90 (usually £54.90!)

Fortaleza Blanco

Fortaleza Blanco

The family run Fortaleza was launched in 2005, after being dismissed decades earlier as inefficient and old fashioned. They’ve since become respected for their influential history and are now bottling some of the finest tequila there is. This is often the place tequila drinkers are trying to ‘get to’, because it represents everything a pristine Blanco should be. 100% stone crushed agave with delightful bursts of olive and butter, it’s earthy, peppery with gentle citrus. Class in a glass, and a bottle worth keeping too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £56.40

The Best Reposado Tequila to Gift

Cazcabel Reposado

Cazcabel Reposado

Allow us to introduce you to the Gold Medal winner for Premium Reposado at the 2019 Tequila Masters. American oak aged for 9 months, you’ll find earthy flavours at first, then gorgeous cinnamon, caramel, and dried fruit surfacing. At the heart of this supporting cast though is a particularly vegetal agave, still bold and sweet even after aging. Quality beyond its price point so it’s likely one you’ll want to return to.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £25.99

El Rayo Reposado

El Rayo Reposado

This is a strikingly contemporary tequila bottle that will really impress as a gift from the moment it’s revealed under the wrapping. El Rayo means, ‘the lightning’, referencing the legend of how lightning struck and cooked a Blue Weber agave plant, creating the first tequila! Cracking it open reveals a full-bodied and layered tequila with golden caramel colouring that’s matured for seven months in ex-whiskey casks, creating a Reposado that’s well worth trying, especially if someone’s never taken to it tequila before.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.70

Patrón Reposado

Patrón Reposado

When thinking of a tequila house that consistently delivers excellence across its range, we never stray too far from Patrón. Their Reposado picked up a Masters gong at the Tequila Masters in both 2020 and 2021, and with each bottle hand-filled, signed and uniquely numbered, it’s as close as you can get to a guaranteed hit as a gift. Lightly amber in colour, it’s bright with freshly squeezed citrus and smooth vanilla, all wrapped together by honey and agave. You’ll struggle to find a more suitable star for your margarita than this Reposado.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £47.45

Pancho Datos Reposado

Pancho Datos Reposado

The name Pancho Datos is homage to the great historian and poet of the Mexican Revolution, Ricardo Grijalva de León. Before reaching those ominously gorgeous bottles, Panchos Datos Reposado is at rest for six months in white oak barrels that were once used to mature bourbon whiskey. These barrels more than leave their mark with tasty vanilla and caramel notes that make it utterly delicious. The extremely rounded flavours would make for a characterful and smooth margarita, but you have to try it over just over ice first.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £41.50 (usually £49.50!)

Mijenta Tequila Reposado

Mijenta Tequila Reposado

Mijenta is sustainability as well as flavour royalty. They’re an artisanal, small batch producer in the Jalisco highlands that work closely with local communities to create a product that delivers not only for the drinker, but for the planet too. Even their label is made from discarded agave waste! The Reposado is aged for half a year in a blend of barrels – American white oak, French oak, and French acacia casks. As a result, it boasts of rich vanilla, nutty wood, and bold vegetal agave, with a velvety feel throughout. Great backstory, fantastic tequila, what more can you ask for?

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £63.95

Clase Azul Reposado

Clase Azul Reposado

If we’re offering you some of the best options for gifting (or having yourself, let’s be honest) then we just can’t leave this out. We think it’s one of the most beautiful bottles we’ve seen, and we peruse a lot. Beyond the quirky bell that comes with it, each bottle is unique and 100% handcrafted by over 100 artists committed to working on 1 bottle at a time. Produced at one of the highest points in Los Altos, it’s rumoured that the extreme altitude has a unique effect on the flavour. Whether that’s true or not, it may as well be because it’s magnificent. The company’s secret yeast blend ferments the liquid before triple filtration distillation and fine oak aging completes the process. It’s picked up gold medals galore and if you’re fortunate enough to be able to really treat someone this Christmas, this is certainly the way to go! Just make sure no one throws away the bottle!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £209.95

The Best Añejo Tequila to Gift

Rooster Rojo Añejo

Rooster Rojo Añejo

It’s our old friend the Mexican rooster again, this time on the front of a rich Añejo made by initially steaming the piña (the centre of the agave after harvesting) for 10 hours. Special yeast is added, before Rooster Rojo undergoes double pot distillation and maturing in ex-bourbon casks. As a result, you get mouth watering aromas of chocolate and coffee, with smoky tobacco and oak. Late come delicious, sweeter notes of caramel, vanilla and roast agave and a final wave of brown sugar on the finish. At this price, it’s absolutely irresistible.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £27.44

 1800 Añejo Tequila

 1800 Añejo Tequila

There’s lots to catch your eye with this. First, the oversized cap and interesting bottle shape that is paying homage to the Mayan pyramids. Secondly, check out that striking caramel nectar colouring! Thirdly, and most importantly, the taste. There’s a pleasant and very noticeable woody spice, derived from French oak aging for over a year. The agave is less front and centre than most, so try it and see what you make of it!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £43.69

Casamigos Añejo Tequila

Casamigos Añejo Tequila

If George Clooney’s involved, then it’s got to be worth a look. He’s the gorgeous face of Casamigos, so much so that the master distiller behind it has never actually been named! The 100% blue agave piñas are slow cooked for 72 hours in their traditional brick ovens, after which begins the 80-hour fermentation process with a signature yeast blend that gives this tequila its extra refined flavour. It’s then time for American white oak casks for 14 months to smooth out further and the result... there’s a sublime taste of pure roasted agave and it’s brimming with toffee penny, dark chocolate, and sweetly spiced oak notes. Every single sip tastes like Christmas so waste no time in getting it open on the day itself. No George included but you can’t have everything!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £60.99

 

If you want to mix up belting Margaritas with the above beauties or find other tequila cocktails to try with them, check out our Best Selection here!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The Best Drinks Advent Calendars for 2022

It's November and that means one thing… Christmas is a common feature on all the shelves with piles of baubles here and boxes of shimmering tinsel there. It also means that this year’s round of drinks advent calendars are being released! Woo-hoo!

The countdown to Christmas is on, and what better way to enjoy it than by opening a boozy treat each day? If you’re a bah humbug then it makes the countdown enjoyable, and if you’re already a Christmas convert then it makes it even better! They’re getting more and more creative every year with options a-plenty, and we’ve got something for everyone with our handy guide below!

For Fine Spirits drinkers:

The Whisky Exchange Spirits Advent Calendar

Welcome to the ultimate, luxurious treat for a lover of fine spirits. The Whisky Exchange have put together 24 minature bottles of whisky, rum, gin, amaro, calvados and more, all of which are exclusive bottlings, under-the-radar spirits or some of the biggest names in fine booze. Simply stunning and berautifully packaged.
Find here: £150

For Gin drinkers:

Fever-Tree Gin & Tonic Advent Calendar

Fever Tree Gin and Tonic Advent Calendar

Most gin drinkers will already be on drinking terms with Fever-Tree and their cracking selection of tonics. This year, their masters of mixology have paired them up with some of the UK’s best-known gin brands like Tanqueray and Hendrick’s, as well as some new kids on the block. Perfect dance partners like Ginger Ale and Ophir’s spicy gin wait behind each door so have fun finding and tasting the pairings as the month rolls on!

Find here: £60

The Premium Edition Gin Advent Calendar

With 24 wax-sealed 30ml samples of gin from around the world hand picked by experts, there’s something for everyone behind each door! From classics to new releases, Tarquin’s Figgy Pudding Gin to Bluecoat’s American Dry, this is a yuletide medley you won’t want to miss!

Find here: £99.95

 

For Rum drinkers:

Drinks by the Dram – Rum Advent Calendar

Drinks by the Dram Rum Advent Calendar

There’s something tantalising behind every door for the rum drinkers too, with this Drinks by the Dram calendar. Dark rum, white rum, golden rum, whatever you’ve wished for it’s in here. Try unusual delights like award-winning Discarded Banana Peel Rum and enjoy old familiars such as Plantation’s XO.

Find here: £149.95

For Tequila drinkers:

The Spirit Co – Arriba Tequila Advent Calendar

The Spirit Co Arriba Tequila

You will begin a 24-day long journey to enlightenment with this, and how many advent calendars can you say that about? Although they’re 30ml sized bottles, The Spirit Co’s 24 tequila picks are designed for you to taste and discover the subtleties of this Mexican icon. From fresh Blanco, to complex Añejo, you will understand tequila on a whole new level by the time the big day comes.

Find here: £124.95

For Vodka drinkers:

Drinks by the Dram – Vodka Advent Calendar

Drinks by the Dram Vodka Advent Calendar

Vodka is a spirit that can be found being dismissed by some as monotonous. Well, with a new year on the horizon, it’s time to change those misconceptions. These expertly curated tasters are a perfect opportunity to learn about how vodka can vary, and what you’re individually drawn to. Whether it’s drinking crisply smooth originals or subtle berry beauties, every day is a school day and school has never been so fun.

Find here: £99.95

 

For Whisky drinkers:

Whisky Explorers’ Edition Advent Calendar

whisky explorer.'s edition advent calendar

Winter whisky warms the soul perfectly over the festive season, and as you prize open each cardboard door, a new whisky awaits. From traditional Irish whiskeys to a new whisky that is actually designed by artificial intelligence(!!), this advent calendar is perfect for someone wanting to dip their toe into the wonderful world of whisky.

Find here: £99.95

Whisky Premium Edition Advent Calendar

Whisky Premium Edition Advent Calendar

If you’re already a card-carrying whisky explorer or know someone that is then this calendar is for those ready to take the step up. Every door is filled with a wax-sealed 30ml dram of top tier whisky, carefully selected by world-famous producers. Aged to perfection, this is a great way of eying up your favourite premium whisky without buying a whole bottle. Pricey sure, but if you can’t treat yourself or others at Christmas time when can you?

Find here: £249.95

 

For Wine drinkers:

Brixton Wine Club Canned Wine Advent Calendar

Brixton Wine Club Canned Wine Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is jam packed with Brixton Wine Club’s favourite canned wines from throughout the year, including limited editions and ones that have sold out so it’s a real treat. There are reds, whites, seltzers, bubbles and not only that, but we were happy to see so many up and coming British wines included too!

Find here: £125

Laithwaites Wine Advent Calendar

Laithwaites wine advent calendar

Every December day is made that bit better by a delicious quarter-bottle of wine waiting for you, isn’t it? All packaged up in a cosy Christmas market scene too, so it makes a wonderful festive addition to your home. We won’t spoil it for you but there also may or may not be a special treat on Christmas Eve too ;)

Find here: £69.99

 

For Cocktail drinkers:

NIO 12-day Advent Cocktail Box

This is the perfect advent for sharing because you can reveal cocktails two at a time over 12 days, so don’t worry you do still get your 24 drinks! And you even get a garnish too, so you can really indulge in the authentic cocktail experience. The calendar houses a very alluring cocktail hall of fame, with Negroni, Manhattan, Cosmo, Espresso Martini, and Daiquiri to name a few. There’s also sure to be some surprises for you too.

Find here: £115

For Beer drinkers:

Beavertown Craft Beer Advent Calendar

Beavertown Craft Beer Advent Calendar

Don’t worry beer guzzlers, there’s something for you to countdown to Christmas as well. Craft beer extraordinaries Beavertown have created a delightfully vibrant advent calendar this year, and a limited-edition version that includes a load of cool gifts too. 6 mini boxes are included so they’re perfect to pop in the fridge, meaning that the only surprise is which beer you get, not that it’s warm!

Find here: £58 / £68 (Limited Edition)

For Cider drinkers:

Lilley’s 2022 Advent Calendar

Lilley's Cider advent calendar

There are even cider advent calendars these days, and we love the interesting concoctions of Lilley’s. Pear flavoured Bee Sting had picked up plenty of awards for the Somerset company, and the same can be said for their Rhubarb flavour. Also, if you like sweet ciders, then let us tell you that the Mango is a must try. There are 24 full size bottles so it’s good value too, and you can go look up each interesting flavour... or keep it as a Christmas surprise! Scrumptious.

Find here: £66

If you’re still stuck for gift ideas or just fancy looking at what else is out there, check out our other drinking gift ideas and be sure to let us know if you’ve got your eyes on any advent calendars we’ve missed out here.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

Calum Ecroyd

The Best Tequilas to Say Olé to National Tequila Day

Tequila

Did someone say Margaritas? Whether you like your tequila shaken into a lime-drenched cocktail, or sipped straight over a giant ice cube, we’ve got a bottle to suit. Welcome to our round-up of the best tequilas, for drinking on National Tequila Day – July 24th – and all summer long…

El Rayo Plata

El Rayo Tequila

Ever tried a T&T – that is, a tequila and tonic? It’s a fun, approachable and fresh way to sip tequila, especially in summer, and El Rayo has been specially designed for it. Created by two childhood friends living in Peckham, it’s made, as all good tequilas are, from 100% blue agave. Expect citrussy, herbaceous and vegetal notes that really lengthen out and come into their own when mixed with a quality tonic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.45

Padre Azul Blanco

Padre Azul Blanco

Topped with a giant 3D skull, Padre Azul’s bottle is a real bold, love-it-or-hate-it presentation (see also: Crystal Head vodka). But there’s no arguing that this smooth-drinking tequila is crowd-pleasing on the palate, bursting with sweet agave, molasses and pepper. It’s on the pricier side for a blanco, but once you’ve drained the last drop you can repurpose that bottle as a stylish bit of décor, right? Right?

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: UK £78.62 // US $74.99

Mijenta Blanco

Mijenta Tequila

One thing we love about this premium blanco is that it’s made, somewhat unusually, by a female ‘maestra tequilera’, Ana Maria Romero. Her talent shows in the glass – Mijenta has a complex nose and a savoury, spiced and honeyed backbone, with butter and citrus on the palate. The pastel label is a lovely touch – it’s a fresh, stylish take that shows off the modern side of tequila, beyond the tired clichés. As for the perfect serve? We like this poured straight over a giant ice cube and garnished with a wedge of lime. If you want to hear more about Mijenta tequila, tune in to Ep.81 of our Bring a Bottle podcast!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £54.99 // US $49.99

Tapatio Blanco

Tapatio Tequila Blanco

Tapatio’s been made the same way since the 1930s, and as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. This traditional-style tequila has a cult following for a reason: its powerful palate sings with classic blanco character, with cooked and raw agave, pepper, earth and citrus, plus a distinct vegetal lilt. If you’re new to drinking tequila you might find Tapatio a little bit full-on to begin with – it’s certainly no shrinking violet – but for fans of the spirit this is pretty much a perfect pour at its price point. Roll on the Margaritas…

Size: UK 500ml // US 1L
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £25.45 // US $74.89

Casamigos Blanco

Casamigos Blanco

This is an outstanding tequila. Unlike most blanco tequilas, the piñas used in Casamigos Blanco are roasted for 72 hours before going through an 80 hour fermentation period. This leads to a crisp, clean tequila with unique flavours including hints of citrus, vanilla and sweet agave and a beautifully smooth finish. Try it in a spicy margarita or a mojito for a mouth-wateringly good cocktail!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £50.00 // US $41.99

Don Julio Añejo

Don Julio Tequila Anejo

It’s one of the big dogs of the agave world, so we couldn’t have a round up of National Tequila Day sippers without Don Julio. The bottling is an añejo style, which means by law it’s been aged for a minimum of one year in barrel – though, in this case, it’s spent a full 18 months hanging out in new American oak. As you might expect, this aging imparts some of the woody character you might find in a whisky, including vanilla, caramel, butterscotch and honey notes. Serve it neat to do it justice.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: UK £52.08 // US $88.90

Herradura Reposado

Herradura Reposado Tequila

This was the first reposado – that is, a tequila that has been oak-aged for between two and 12 months – to hit the mainstream market, all the way back in the 1970s. And as its continued presence on shelves will attest, it’s a classic with staying power. Vanilla, oak, pepper and caramel aromas join a rich smoky palate with a heady cinnamon bite. We think that this is just the pour for mixing into richer cocktails, so if you haven’t tried a tequila old fashioned yet, pick up this spirit and get to work.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £41.95 // US $43.99

VIVIR Reposado

Vivir Reposado Tequila

Aged in bourbon barrels for at least six months, this reposado shows off the newer, more contemporary side of tequila-making. It’s not just the minimalist branding, which feels like pure millennial catnip. The flavour profile, too, is super smooth, sweet and subtle – perfect for winning over agave sceptics who might still be reeling from old tequila-shots-at-the-bar memories (we all have ‘em). Like El Rayo, VIVIR is really made for mixing, and they recommend giving it a go with ginger ale.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.99 

Storywood Speyside 7 Reposado Tequila

Storywood Speyside 7 Reposado Tequila

If you love whisky, you’ll love Storywood – this reposado has been aged for 7 months in ex-Speyside casks from Dufftown, imparting a smoky, oaky and honeyed character to the tequila. It’s made with lowland agave, which gives it a bit of a vegetal, herbal profile, perfect for both sipping straight or subbing into whisky-based cocktails. If you’re in an experimentation mood, do as Storywood cheekily suggests and serve it up in a tall glass mixed with Scotland’s (other) national drink, Irn Bru. You’ll never think of tequila the same way again.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42.45

If you love a tequila cocktail then have a read of The Best Tequila Cocktails, recipes included! If, sipping neat is your preferred way to imbibe then have a look at The World’s Best Sipping Tequilas!

The Best Margarita Variations

A Tommy's Margarita

Words by Ana Patterson

Today, you are not just learning about cocktails – you are learning about life. You’ll be introduced to a mixture so influential and so great; it can be described as when life truly began.

“But what was it?” we hear you cry

“The collision of matter and anti-matter to create everything in existence?” Nope.

“The formation of H2O?” Not that.

“The primordial soup containing the earliest forms of life?” Wrong, wrong, and wrong again.

The most influential mixture in history was obviously when tequila, lime and Cointreau came together to form the cocktail to reign all cocktails: the magnificent margarita. So come in close, grab a shaker and a healthy amount of ice and let’s explore some brilliant margarita variations, from the classic to the experimental!

Classic Margarita

Classic Margarita Cocktail

You know what they say, you can’t go wrong with a classic – especially when it comes to cocktails. The classic margarita is a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and punchy - a summer favourite but perfect for any time of the year. Often, margaritas are served with a salted rim, though this can take away from the lip smacking flavours of the tequila, so try it without! Here’s a classic recipe, which you should 100% commit to memory:

Ingredients

50ml blanco tequila
25ml fresh lime juice
25ml Cointreau
lime wedge for garnish 

Method
Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake for about 30 seconds until chilled. Strain everything into a margarita glass. Add plenty of ice and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Spicy Margarita

Spicy Margarita Cocktail Picante

This is the cocktail. However hard you try, once you’ve had a Picante, no margarita will ever taste the same again. Spicy, sweet with a WHOOSH of reposado tequila – this delight is a Tommy’s margarita with the addition of chili. Knocking up a few of these will guarantee a great night in.

Ingredients

 50ml reposado tequila
25ml fresh lime juice
20ml agave nectar
2 slices of chili to muddle
slices of chili to garnish

Method
Add the chili slices to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add the rest of the ingredients along with some ice and shake for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over large ice cubes and garnish with the chili slices.

Hibiscus Margarita

Hibiscus Margarita Cocktail

If you love a pretty cocktail, you’ll love the hibiscus margarita. The vibrant magenta of the hibiscus syrup is a brilliant contrast with the lime wheel, and it tastes great too! Though it might seem a little exotic, you can get your hands on hibiscus syrup pretty easily – so pick some up and try it!

Ingredients

50ml blanco tequila
25ml fresh lime juice
25ml Cointreau
25ml hibiscus syrup (we like Monin)
lime wheel for the garnish 

Method
Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a margarita glass and garnish with a lime wheel. Enjoy!

 

Blood Orange Margarita

As we know, the margarita is all about tang – but what about some bitterness? This blood orange margarita is not only beautiful to look at, but the blood orange juice works brilliantly against the tequila and makes for a tongue-tingling drink. This cocktail tastes great with a sugared rim to contrast the bitterness of the blood orange, but feel free to omit it if that’s not your style!

Ingredients

 50ml blanco tequila
50ml blood orange juice
25ml fresh lime juice
15ml agave nectar
caster sugar
blood orange wedge
blood orange wheel for garnish 

Method
Run a blood orange wedge around half the rim of a rocks glass and dip the rim in caster sugar. Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into the glass over ice and garnish with a blood orange wheel.

 

Tommy’s Margarita

Tommy's Margarita Cocktail

Though fairly similar to a classic margarita, the Tommy’s margarita is a super popular (and super tasty) variation. The most notable difference is the absence of orange liqueur, instead swapping it out for some agave nectar. Some argue that this deduction disavows the Tommy’s margarita of its margarita status – but who cares when it’s this good?!

Ingredients

50ml blanco tequila
25ml fresh lime juice
12.5ml agave nectar 

Method
Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and enjoy!

Smoky Margarita

Smoky Margarita Cocktail

If you’re after something a bit moodier and closer to a dark spirits cocktail, you might want to check out the smoky margarita. Instead of the typical blanco tequila used for a classic margarita, this cocktail uses a mixture of aged ‘añejo’ tequila and super smoky mezcal. It’s dark, it’s moody and its perfect for sipping in the corner of a candlelit room.

Ingredients

25ml añejo tequila
25ml mezcal
30ml Cointreau
25ml lime juice
lime wedge
smoked salt for garnish
lime wheel for garnish 

Method
Run a wedge of lime around half of the rim of a rocks glass. Dip the rim in smoked salt. Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake for 30 seconds until chilled. Strain into the glass over ice and garnish with a lime wheel.

Wondering which tequila to use in your margarita? We’ve got your back! Check out The Best Tequila For A Margarita and just for fun, why not check out these Top Celebrity Owned Tequilas?!