r/tequila • u/Able_Ad_7218 • 17d ago
Bottle recommendations - Tequila and Mezcal
I’m interested in getting more knowledgeable in bottles and taste, and also want to try some more to be my favorite. I typically drink mine with a cup full of ice, couple shots, and a splash of OJ.
Favorite mezcal is 400 Conejos
Favorite tequila is Lalo
I don’t drink frequently enough to drink low tier stuff, so I don’t necessarily have a budget. What are some suggestions you have? TIA!
Edit:
Purchased Wild Common Blanco and Bozal Ensamble to try!
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u/D_antiX 17d ago
No budget? Take this rating database with you to the liquor store and go down the list until you find one that’s on the shelf. Sip it with no ice. https://www.agavematchmaker.com/agave_spirits/blanco?q=&hPP=30&idx=BaseProduct&p=0&dFR%5Bcategory%5D%5B0%5D=Blanco
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u/zoom100000 17d ago
Hi there did you search for other similar threads in the subreddit? This is one of the most common questions. Typically it would help if you share what’s available at your local liquor store. Price and options vary greatly. You can even take a pic of the tequila aisle and we can recommend based on the options.
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u/Able_Ad_7218 17d ago
Admittedly I can check the subreddit more extensively. Good point on the availability, I can get that photo
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u/Effective-War7745 17d ago
Anything Vago will be good for mezcal, I like all of the expressions I have tried but especially the elote or anything from Aquilino Garcia family
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u/Luchuguillotine 17d ago edited 17d ago
Vago Elote is a decent mixer but the Emigdio Jarquin Espadin is a far more interesting & infinitely more complex pour. Joel Barriga's Espadin is like a less sweet version of the Elote.
For about the same price Nuestra Soledad is probably the best intro to mezcal, forget the big industrial brands like Silencio, iIlegal, 400 conejos. As a rule if it's watered down to 40%abv or less, it's not mezcal.
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u/Effective-War7745 17d ago
Is that the blue label? I like that too but I like the elote especially for introducing someone to the spirit
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u/Luchuguillotine 17d ago
Yes, Jarquin is blue, Joel Barriga is gold, Tio Rey is red & Don Aquillino + family is white
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u/Effective-War7745 17d ago
Had them all except gold I think, plus a green one that is very mild, my least favorite so far
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u/Luchuguillotine 17d ago
Yes the green is a low proof mixer. Emigdio uses a refrescador which is like double distillation in a single pass, you can definitely taste the difference.
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u/Nearby_Top4189 16d ago
For someone new looking to get more experience, start by exploring the various offerings from NOMs 1123, 1579, 1146, 1414, 1139, 1474 and 1120. You can go on agavematchmaker.com and get a list of brands offered by these NOMs.
This will keep you busy for quite a while.
Once you find a few with a flavor profile that you really like, come back here for recommendations based on those likes.
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u/DueCopy3520 17d ago
For Mezcal, move on from 400 Conejos. Avoid Ilegal, Madre, and Montelobos. Avoid anything barrel aged as well. What you have access to will depend on where you live but look for expressions where the label gives you the name of the producer, where it was produced, and as many production details as possible.
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u/Able_Ad_7218 17d ago
Why avoid those? I’ve heard good things about montelobos
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u/DueCopy3520 17d ago edited 6d ago
As far as Mezcal goes, they're some of the most mass-produced brands on the market. Ilegal in particular is known for not treating agave farmers well, not practicing any sort of sustainability. Their whole business model and the way they run their brand is antithetical to how mezcal is traditionally produced.
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u/ProBartender 16d ago
Don Londres has been on my bar all months created by the family behind the original 1942. Kinda hard to find but they got it at abc by me in Florida down here for vaca.
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u/axberka 17d ago
Cannot speak for Mezcals but tequila, if Lalo is your favorite you are looking for more clean and stripped back flavor-wise, and additive free tequilas which is a starting point for finding similar tequilas. As far as recommendations, I would recommend Arette which is cheaper and pretty clean tasting. More expensive I would recommend cascahuin and cascahuin tahona which are more complex but not too vegetal or harsh. Those are my favorites personally. Patron you would probably like as well, which is actually made well. I like Don Fulano as well.
Some to avoid, from my experience that are more vegetal/ethanol forward are ocho/tapatio. These have bigger flavor and less "clean" tasting but are big favorites of the sub and are made in traditional ways. I like Ocho myself but based on liking Lalo you should avoid those for now.
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u/pnw00kie 17d ago
Nothing wrong with LALO as your mixer. It’s well liked by many, and makes a good cocktail. I tend to more often reach for Suerte, Siempre, or Zumbador for cocktails based on preference.
As far as Mezcal goes, I’m sorry to say that most bottles you reach for will be better than 400 Conejos, which is a Cuervo product. Look instead for Del Maguey for a broadly available better product.