Drinks connoisseur Becky Paskin, with over two decades of experience, has handpicked the best tequila and mezcal bottles for 2026, ranging from smooth, sweet sippers to indulgently smoky spirits. Whether you're a seasoned agave enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these 100% agave selections promise to elevate your drinking experience.
Why Modern Tequila Deserves a Second Chance
Forget the harsh, mixto tequilas of the past that led to regrettable shots with salt and lime. Today's premium tequilas are 100% agave, crafted by skilled jimadors and maestro tequileros using artisanal methods. The result is a full-flavoured, smooth spirit perfect for sipping or mixing. With National Tequila Day on 24th July, now is the ideal time to rediscover tequila.
Best Tequila and Mezcal at a Glance
- Best overall: Madre Blanco Tequila (£59, Masterofmalt.com)
- Best for margarita cocktails: Olmeca Altos Plata (£22.50, Waitrosecellar.com)
- Best for tequila connoisseurs: Fortaleza Blanco (£79, Masterofmalt.com)
- Best for gifting: Mezcal Reina Ensamble Espadín Tobasiche Mezcal (£70.55, Tesco.com)
As tequila is a type of mezcal, the list also includes standout mezcals to broaden your repertoire.
Tequila vs Mezcal: Key Differences
The primary distinction lies in the agave species and production region. Tequila is strictly made from at least 51% blue Weber agave (typically 100% today) in five Mexican states. Mezcal can use over 30 agave varieties across nine states and often features a smoky flavour from underground pit-roasting. Tequila tends to be fresh and bright, while mezcal is more rustic and complex.
How the Tasting Was Conducted
Paskin assessed each spirit blind, in order of style and strength (lightest to strongest), evaluating aroma, flavour, and finish. She tasted in the morning before food, with only water to cleanse the palate.
Top Tequila Picks
Madre Blanco Tequila
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Mezcal lovers
Why it's great: Made by a family-owned, single-estate distillery, additive-free. This blanco tequila offers funky, savoury, buttery notes with cooked agave and a hint of jalapeño. At 48% ABV, it has a silky mouthfeel and comes in a 20cl flask.
Price: £59, Masterofmalt.com
Olmeca Altos Plata
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Margarita lovers
Why it's great: A bright, citrus-forward tequila with herbaceous notes and black pepper. Founded by bartenders, it's voted the world's best for margaritas. At 38% ABV, it's a budget-friendly cocktail essential.
Price: £22.50, Waitrosecellar.com
Fortaleza Blanco
Rating: ★★★★★
Best for: Tequila connoisseurs
Why it's great: A high-end, small-batch tequila using 150 years of family tradition. Notes of stewed fruits, cooked agave, olives, and a buttery texture with black pepper kick. Hand-blown bottle with agave stopper.
Price: £79, Masterofmalt.com
Código 1530 Rosa
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Red wine lovers
Why it's great: A blanco rested for one month in Napa Valley Cabernet barrels, giving a pink hue and redcurrant, blackberry notes. Additive-free, 35% ABV. Perfect for a spritz with rosé vermouth.
Price: £47, Masterofmalt.com
Mi Campo Reposado
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Best for: Sweet tooth
Why it's great: Fermented in open-air tanks amid citrus trees, matured in wine casks. Notes of tropical fruits, Starburst sweets, strawberries and cream. Sweeter style, good for beginners.
Price: £46, Masterofmalt.com
Ocho Reposado
Rating: ★★★★★
Best for: Agave aficionados
Why it's great: First single-estate tequila, each batch varies by harvest year and field. Rested 8 weeks and 8 days in ex-American whiskey barrels. Herbaceous with grass, mint, plum, apricot, and marzipan.
Price: £38 (50cl), Amazon.co.uk
Tapatio Anejo
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Best for: Tequila Old Fashioneds
Why it's great: Rested 18 months in first-fill ex-Bourbon barrels. Notes of stewed agave, red apples, rhubarb, spiced honey, and vanilla. Not overly sweet.
Price: £34 (50cl), Masterofmalt.com
Top Mezcal Picks
Mezcal Reina Ensamble Espadín Tobasiche Mezcal
Rating: ★★★★★
Best for: Gifting
Why it's great: Female-founded, sourced from Oaxaca. Traditional earthen pit cooking, natural fermentation, double distilled in clay pots. Silky sweet with tropical fruits, grilled asparagus, rocket, and a zesty finish.
Price: £70.95, Tesco.com
Quiquiriqui Matatlan Espadin Mezcal
Rating: ★★★★★
Best for: Smoky, herbaceous Negronis
Why it's great: Handmade by Sanchez family, Espadin agaves take up to 15 years to mature. Earthy, gently smoky with menthol, liquorice, stewed orchard fruits, and wood smoke.
Price: £45.99, Tesco.com
Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej
Rating: ★★★★☆
Best for: Peated Scotch lovers
Why it's great: One of the smokiest mezcals in the UK. Made from roasted Espadin, double distilled. Meaty, savoury with sticky figs, dates, tamarind, and spice. Great in Old Fashioneds or neat at BBQs.
Price: £50.30, Tesco.com
How to Choose the Best Tequila or Mezcal
The best choice depends on personal taste. For raw, herbaceous agave character, choose a blanco. For vanilla sweetness from oak, opt for reposado or añejo. The top picks represent artisanal craftsmanship, with Madre Blanco Tequila standing out as a buttery, complex, and versatile spirit that offers exceptional value.
About the expert: Becky Paskin is an award-winning drinks writer and presenter with 20 years of experience. She is the only journalist globally with a distilling qualification and regularly judges spirit competitions. Her work appears in major publications and on ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.
