Best Tequila Under $100

A truly unique Tequila with deep, rich, and complex flavors spilling over the glass. About twenty years ago, Iñaki Orozco inherited 620 acres of land in the Jalisco State. We call that a jackpot! The land had been passed down in the family for nearly two hundred years, but had never been developed or planted. Iñaki saw the potential and — over the next few years — he planted 175,000 shoots of Weber Blue Agave on his land. The first harvest in 2008 yielded the first bottles of Riazul Tequila. Today, Riazul’s three core Tequilas are highly-rated and award-winning examples of Mexican pride. Just like a fine Single Malt Whisky, Riazul Tequila Añejo is made exceptional by the specialness of the wood and the length of the aging. It’s aged a full two years — longer than any other añejo Tequila in its class. And it’s aged in French XO Cognac casks made from Burgundy oak. Quite frankly, we haven’t sampled any other Tequilas that do it that way. No wonder it scored 94 points and is so highly regarded by Tequila experts. If you’re a fan of fine Tequila, you’ve got to get a bottle and try it for yourself.

How does Tequila get to be so smooth? Casa Dragones is all about passion. Passion for Tequila, passion for the craft and passion for the meticulous attention to detail that ensures the extraordinary sensory experience of the highest caliber. This small-batch producer creates exceptional sipping Tequilas renowned by Spirit aficionados everywhere. Each bottle is hand-signed and numbered, hallmarking their commitment to quality. Tequila Casa Dragones produces in the lowlands of Jalisco, in the Valley of Tequila. We’re talking about the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, one of the richest soils on earth, where the agave are left to mature for a minimum of seven years. Only the very best plants are then hand-selected and used in the production process. Amen! One thing we can safely say is that Casa Dragones isn’t afraid of breaking the tradition. Their Tequilas are manufactured in a thoroughly modern and sustainable method which is supposed to eliminate impurities and harsh flavors. It is then distilled multiple times, resulting in a Spirit that focuses on purity and allows the true essence of the agave to shine through. This all seems very exciting. So, what’s the verdict? Well, the method obviously works since it produces an extremely smooth taste on the palate, followed by an even softer finish. It’s so smooth that even Oprah called it "dangerously smooth." Their Blanco was named the "Best Blanco Tequila," by Epicurious and their Joven is dubbed the "Tastemakers Top Tequila," by Forbes Magazine. The end result is a compliment to the plant, the Jalisco surroundings and Tequila itself. Add a bit of that passion we mentioned at the beginning of the story, and you have a winner on your hands — the crisp, smooth Spirit is perfect to enjoy neat, on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail. Passion knows no bounds.

Rising star in the Reposado Tequila game. Casamigos — roughly translated as "house of friends" — was founded by Rande Gerber in 2013 in partnership with actor George Clooney. You might remember Rande Gerber as the husband of model Cindy Crawford, but he is also a serial entrepreneur in the restaurant and Spirits business. The entire Casamigos line of Tequilas and Mescal are made the right way at the Productos Finos de Agave Distillery in Jalisco along with many other premium brands. That means the products are the "real deal." Sales have taken off and the brand is now owned by Diageo. Casamigos Reposado is everything that you expect in a rested Tequila. It’s made from 100% Weber Blue Agave raised in the red clay soils of the Jalisco highlands. The piñas are slow-roasted for three days in traditional brick ovens and crushed. Importantly, the agave juice is fermented for eighty hours using a proprietary blend of yeast strains … and yes, it’s a closely-held secret. It’s aged for seven months in “reconditioned” ex-Bourbon casks and bottled at 40% ABV.

It's all fun and games until The Rock enters the ring. Who doesn't like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? Stone Cold Steve Austin might not be one, but we're fans. He's known for the spinebusters, Samoan drops, and people's elbows, as well as his numerous roles in massive blockbusters films, including Luke in the Fast and the Furious, the titular Scorpion King, or Dr. Bravestone in the recent Jumanji films. Now he's adding a premium Tequila to the list of his achievements, as he's teamed up with a family-owned distillery in the highlands of Jalisco, the cradle of the famous Mexican Spirit. The process of making the Spirit starts with The Rock punching the Teremana blue Weber agaves into a pulp... What? Then they're roasted in brick ovens, open-air fermented, and distilled in hand-made copper pot stills. It's all done by hand, just so you know. The Reposado then matures in ex-Bourbon barrels for a couple months for some of that delicious spicy complexity. 

Sophisticated, smooth and stylish Spirit from Jalisco. There are Tequilas that take you on a wild journey of gaga escapades and memory loss. And there are Tequilas that you're supposed to sip and converse about Art Deco and German philosophy. Perfectomundo Añejo is the latter kind and even though it's mature and sophisticated, it still knows how to throw a party. But, you know... an exquisite and fancy one. The first owners of the Distillery, the Gonzales family, had produced handcrafted Spirits since 1904, but in 1985, the Cabo family took over and expanded the production of smooth 100% Blue Agave Tequilas. Añejo Tequila that comes in a grand perfume-like bottle is made of hand-picked Agave and pure water from the hills of Jalisco. This dainty Tequila has aged three years in French or American oak barrels that used to give shelter to Bourbon. Master Cognac and Whisky blenders from France and Scotland stop and curse daily, so immense is their jealousy. Triple distillation takes care of smoothness while oak barrels give a hint of vanilla and Agave caress of fruitiness.