a shot glass of tequila

Bottom-Shelf Tequilas That Are Actually Worth Your Money

NEWS

BY FIONA CHANDRA

Bottle of Olmeca Altos Plata on fabric

Olmeca Altos Plata

Beverage director Rob McShea, recommends Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, which he says is "perfect for mixing in cocktails and smooth enough to enjoy on its own."
Person sitting behind bottle of Olmeca Altos Plata
The agave that goes into Olmeca Altos Plata tequilas is cooked in brick ovens, which produces more complex flavors. It retails for about $26-30 and has a sweet citrusy finish.
Bottles of Cimarrón Blanco tequila

Cimarrón Blanco

Cimarrón Blanco costs about $27 and is one of very few affordable additive-free tequilas. It is made by Enrique Fonseca, a legend within the tequila industry.
Cups of blanco tequila with limes
Jesus Muñoz of Good Lion Hospitality says, "The strong cooked agave notes with hints of citrus and pepper give a solid backbone to any agave cocktail."
El Tequileño Blanco bottle next to cocktail

El Tequileño Blanco

This tequila retails for around $25. It is produced in Jalisco using agave from the highlands, and a third-generation master distiller oversees its production.
Bottle of El Tequileño Blanco next to glass
El Tequileño Blanco is a "mixto" tequila, so some raw cane sugar is added. Former bartender Lucas Assis calls it "a great budget option for making cocktails when hosting at home."
Bottles of Arrete Blanco tequila

Arrete Blanco

Arette Tequila’s additive-free tequila costs about $25. "I believe [it's] one of the best budget options," Assis said, noting that it's "widely available."
Bottle of Arrete Blanco
Arette uses both brick ovens and autoclaves to cook its agave. The tequila is a good example of lowlands tequila with classic herbal and peppery notes.
Bottle of Tres Agaves Blanco next to cocktail

Tres Agaves Blanco

Tres Agaves bottles its blanco tequila right after distillation so that the agave is not muted by aging. The flavor profile balances citrusy and peppery notes.
The drink was once awarded the Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition but has a retail price of only $27, making it a great deal.