The World's Best Tequila And Mezcal, According To The American Distilling Institute
Shots of Mexican Tequila with lime and salt
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Every year, the American Distilling Institute organizes an International Spirits Competition. This prestigious event recognizes excellence in craft spirits and is open to U.S. and international distilleries. Below is a brief background and tasting notes on the "Best of Class" and "Best of Category." Tequila and other agave spirits winners from the recently completed 2025 competition.
The Rosales family crafts ArteNOM Selección de 1123 Blanco Histórico at Destilería Cascahuín in El Arenal, Jalisco. This expression pays homage to early 20th-century Tequila production methods, where Blanco Tequilas were occasionally rested briefly in barrels. After the traditional production processes, this tequila is conditioned for 21–28 days in brandy casks that previously held Oaxacan mezcal, imparting unique characteristics to the spirit.
The nose features roasted pineapple, warm butter, baking spices, smoked pepper, and cider. The Tequila is viscous on the palate, exhibiting cinnamon, black pepper, sweet potato, vanilla, licorice, almond, and hardwood smoke flavors. The finish is long and slightly sweet with lingering pepper and seasoned oak notes.
Like its Añejo sibling, Cutwater's Reposado Tequila is made using traditional methods from 100% blue agave by Orendain. It is then rested in Cutwater whiskey barrels, allowing the rich cooked agave flavor to meld with hints of vanilla and oak.
The nose features cooked and green agave notes, some caramel, hints of vanilla, and seasoned oak. The palate exhibits sweet notes of cooked agave, barrel wood spices of cinnamon, pepper, and clove, honey, and some vanilla. The finish is short to medium with lingering spice notes.
A field of Agave tequilana. In the background is the famous Volcán de Tequila
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Herencia de Plata is produced at the Casa Tequileña distillery in Tequila. The Reposado expression is aged in oak barrels, balancing the vibrant agave flavors with subtle wood influences.
The Tequila is rich and fruity on the nose, featuring lime, lemon, and pineapple. The palate showcases vanilla, raisin, and oak spice flavors. The finish is long, spicy, and fruity with lingering citrus and wood spice notes.
Cutwater Spirits, based in San Diego, California, is known for its innovative approach to spirits. Their Añejo Tequila is crafted by Orendain, one of Mexico's oldest Tequila producers, in Jalisco using traditional methods, including slow cooking in brick ovens, open fermentation, and double distillation in stainless and copper stills. The tequila is then aged for over a year in Cutwater's whiskey barrels shipped from San Diego to Jalisco, imparting unique flavors to the spirit.
Rich aromas of caramel, roasted agave, and toasted oak, with hints of vanilla and dried fruit, are featured on the nose. The palate exhibits complex oak, caramel, and bourbon-tinged vanilla notes, complemented by subtle dark chocolate and spice flavors. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering oak and sweet agave flavors.
Tres Cuatro Cinco is an exceptional Extra Añejo Tequila, among the pinnacle of highland super-premium tequilas. This masterpiece is the brainchild of Enrique Fonseca, a renowned distiller and master blender. It is meticulously crafted at Distilleria Tequileña in Tequila.
It's a blend of 30% three-year-aged, 40% four-year-aged, and 30% five-year-aged Extra Añejo tequilas, all aged exclusively in French oak barrels. The tequila is presented in crystal decanters, each designed, signed, and numbered by iconic Mexico City artist Alonso Gonzalez Jr.
The Tequila is rich and aromatic on the nose, featuring milk chocolate, caramel, seasoned oak, and black pepper. It's complex on the palate, exhibiting chocolate, caramel, oak, and pepper flavors, with subtle fruity and coffee hints. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of oak and spice.
The Best of Class, Agave Spirits included ImpEx Beverage, Mezcal Madrecuixe Felipe, (Artisinal Mezcal) and Republica del Cocuy, Verdor Cocuy Claro, (Cocuy).
Also winning Best of Category were Bandero Tequila, (Flavored Tequila); Cutwater Spirits, Mezcal Joven, (Mezcal); and Perra Suerte Raicilla, (Racilla).
End of Days Distillery, Castillo 1815 Blanco was designated America's Greatest Agave Spirit. This category is for American grown agave and does not include Mexican spirits.
The American Distilling Institute is a leading trade organization for craft and independent distillers in the United States. Founded in 2003, ADI supports the growth and success of small-scale distillers through education, advocacy, networking, and promotion of best practices in the industry.
ADI's annual spirits competition often highlights up-and-coming brands, many of which have yet to establish national distribution. For the Tequila and mezcal connoisseur, the competition offers an excellent insight into what will likely be tomorrow's top-rated Tequila and mezcal .
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