Whether you’re a tequila aficionado looking for a new, great tequila for sipping neat or a casual tequila drinker looking to restock your liquor cabinet ahead of your next cocktail party, the pure and sweet agave flavors of the best blanco tequila could be just what the doctor ordered.
Good blanco tequilas are the preference of many tequila lovers since the intense piña fruit flavors shine through, unadulterated by the oak barrels used in the aging process of other types of tequila. When you drink blanco tequila, you get the tequila flavors in their purest form, but what exactly is ‘blanco tequila?’
Key Takeaways
- Blanco tequilas are bottled before aging and offer a pure tequila taste.
- Blanco tequilas can also be called ‘silver tequilas,’ ‘plata tequilas,’ or ‘white tequilas.’
- Select your next bottle based on how you plan to enjoy it.
- The best-sipping tequilas will not necessarily be the best mixing tequilas.
- Looking to get a party started with slammers or shots? Then look for the more budget-friendly price tags.
- Experiment. Don’t be shy to try a different brand next time you’re in need of an agave fix.
What Is Blanco Tequila?
The production of tequila is a protected industry, with the Mexican government providing a legal framework and guidelines that producers must follow. Tequila can only be produced in Mexico and, more specifically, in a few central states. There are a few steps involved in tequila production that must be followed in order for the label to be allowed to declare the contents to be tequila.
First and foremost, tequila must be made from the blue agave plant. The heart of the blue agave is then cooked, and the cooked agave is shredded to release the juices, which are then fermented before being double distilled.
The resulting agave spirit will then be aged for a certain period of time. The length of time the tequila ages will determine which type of tequila it becomes.
Blanco tequila, which is also called silver tequila or plata tequila, is essentially an unaged tequila. It rests for the bare minimum time—usually between 14 and 22 days—before being bottled and sent out to the stores.
Tequila that is aged further in oak barrels will go on to become reposado tequila if rested for up to twelve months; añejo tequila is aged for between one and three years, and extra añejo tequilas are aged beyond that.
As blanco tequila does not sit to age in oak barrels, it retains its original clarity, unlike the aged tequilas, which gain a golden hue and some additional flavor from the wooden barrels.
While extra añejo is a smooth tequila and is considered the premium tequila style, some tequila purists prefer the clear and unadulterated sweet agave flavors of an exceptional blanco tequila. So to help you find your new favorite blanco tequila brand, here’s our roundup of the best ones to try.
The Best Blanco Tequilas Available Right Now
Best All-Round Blanco Tequila
123 Organic Blanco Tequila
If you’re looking for an all-around silver tequila that’s equally pleasant in a cocktail or as a sipping tequila, then a bottle of 123 Organic Blanco Tequila is worth checking out. This great blanco tequila imparts a clean flavor on the palate, highlighted with intense aromas of fresh, local agave.
Vibrant citrus notes and hints of black pepper elevate the overall flavor of this smooth tequila, which is equally at home served as a straight drink as it is in a mixed drink or classic cocktail.
Best Blanco Tequila for Margaritas
Herradura Silver Tequila
A crisp, clear tequila with real agave flavor and a reputation for being one of the finest blanco tequilas on the market. This slightly aged tequila sits in American white oak barrels for 45 days, which gives it a pale straw color and imparts woody tasting notes.
The smooth and clean flavor profile of Herradura Silver is augmented by citrus flavors with a hint of vanilla, yet the sweet agave flavor still shines through.
Best Blanco Tequila for Sipping
Tequila Ocho Plata
Tequila Ocho Plata hails from a family-run single-field estate in the Jaliscan Highlands. This exceptional tequila is ideal for sipping, and tequila enthusiasts will appreciate its authentic flavor and its soft and lingering finish.
Undeniably smooth, perfectly sweet, and free from any afterburn, Tequila Ocho Plata is primarily for sipping neat but can also work in mixed drinks.
Best Tequila Blanco for Shots
Espolòn Tequila Blanco
If you’re checking out silver tequilas to find a smooth tequila for slammers and shooters, then this nicely priced, award-winning tequila is definitely worth a ‘shot.’
When you’re on the hunt for the best blanco for shots, there’s no need to break the bank by buying premium tequilas; you just need a good blanco tequila with a reasonably smooth taste.
Lovingly handcrafted in the Jaliscan Highlands from 100% Blue Weber Agave, the unaged tequila is double distilled to give it a smooth and balanced taste profile. This tequila offers a soft mouthfeel and a clean finish that’s ideal for shooting by combining notes of sweet agave and citrus fruits with a hint of pepper.
Best Tequila Blanco For Cocktails
Don Abraham Organic Blanco Tequila
If you’re looking to lift up your favorite tequila cocktail recipe, you don’t need to push the boat out and spend a small fortune on the very best blanco tequila brand. This medium-bodied tequila will bring floral and vegetal flavors to the mix, backed up by subtle hints of black pepper — and it’s priced at under $50.
This organic tequila works well in cocktails, especially citrusy drinks, and won’t completely steal the show from the other flavors in your glass.
Best High-End Blanco Tequila
Still-Strength Fortaleza Blanco Tequila
For a long time, the only way to sample this still-strength Fortaleza tequila was to visit their distillery in the city of Tequila in person. This extra-strength version is made from natural spring water direct from Mexico’s Tequila Valley.
Coming in at 46% ABV and bottled straight from the small copper pot stills, this still-strength Fortaleza blanco tequila has tasting notes of butter, olive, earth, and black pepper, yet the cooked agave still dominates.
Best Mid-Priced Blanco Tequila
Don Julio Blanco
The finest blue agave plants and a time-honored and trusted distillation process combine to ensure Don Julio Blanco double-distilled tequilas are characterized by light, sweet, cooked agave flavors with hints of lemon, lime, and grapefruit.
The grapefruit notes make it ideal for mixing a Paloma; simply mix it with grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar and serve over ice.
Don Julio was named one of the “Top Trending Tequilas” at the 2020 Drinks International Awards and is a well-rounded blanco tequila that seldom disappoints.
Best Budget Blanco Tequila
Cimarron Blanco Tequila
If you’re looking to throw back a few tequila shots at your next summer barbecue, then the budget blanco tequilas are your best bet. A one-liter bottle comes in at under $30, yet it’s definitely one of the better-budget silver tequilas.
Subtle pepper and cinnamon aromas are seamlessly blended with earthy and orange flavors, and although it lacks the depth and complexity of higher-end blanco tequilas, its price makes it great value and perfect for a party.
Best Organic Blanco Tequila
Tres Agaves Blanco Organic Tequila
Another of the fine blanco tequilas which hail from the Tequila Valley in Jalisco, Tres Agaves Blanco Organic Tequila, is well-balanced and smooth enough to sip.
The pure tequila flavor is augmented by tasting notes of citrus, pear, and hints of wild mint and is certified as organic.
Tres Agaves’ blanco tequilas are bottled as soon as distillation is complete to capture the clean and pure tequila flavors and do spend any time aging in wooden casks. It has a pleasing taste and silky-smooth texture, making this blanco tequila ideal for sipping or mixing into your favorite cocktail recipe.
Best Flavored Blanco Tequila
YaVe Tequila Jalapeño
Flavored blanco tequilas are a relative newcomer to the blanco tequila market. The Tequila Regulatory Council of Mexico (TRCM), which oversees tequila production, changed its rules as recently as 2004 to allow flavored tequilas to be called tequila.
YaVe specializes in flavored blanco tequilas, and their jalapeño-infused tequila is perfect for mixing up a batch of bloody Marias or spicy margaritas.
The spicy tasting notes are achieved by deseeding the jalapeños before allowing them to be macerated in blanco tequila, which culminates in a rich, mildly spicy yet smooth finish.
Best Blanco Tequila For Gifting
Clase Azul Plata Tequila
A perfect gift for that special tequila aficionado in your life and one of the best blanco tequilas available! Organically-grown agaves are matured for nine years before being cooked in traditional ovens, and a detail-oriented distillation process ensures superior quality.
Aside from its smooth taste that’s ideal for sipping, this blanco tequila also comes in a beautiful decanter-style bottle, making it an ideal gift. Just make sure you gift it in person so the receiver feels obliged to open it and share it with you too.
Honorable Mentions
Casa Dragones Blanco
Casa Dragones Blanco Tequila is often touted as being among the best blanco tequilas and is a good alternative, although a little pricier, to 123 Organic Blanco Tequila. It’s a small-batch tequila, hand-crafted to produce a smooth and full-bodied flavor with tasting notes of grapefruit and green apple.
Casa Noble Blanco
Organic blue agave, grown in the rich, volcanic soil of Jalisco, is the basis for this mid-priced tequila blanco. A triple-distillation method ensures the final product is exceptionally smooth and perfect for sipping.
This versatile award-winning blanco tequila is equally at home on its own or alongside other ingredients in a margarita or a Paloma.
El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
El Tesoro Blanco Tequila is produced following the traditions of Don Felipe Camarena, the man who established La Alteña Distillery in 1937. His grandson, Carlos Camarena, oversees production presently and ensures the distillation and fermentation processes stay faithful to his family’s traditional methods.
Mijenta Tequila Blanco
Following a production process that favors quality over speed ensures Mijenta Tequila Blanco is often vaunted as being one of the best blanco tequilas in its class.
A mid-priced tequila, its tasting notes bring essences of cantaloup and peaches and are balanced by cinnamon undertones.
Casamigos Blanco
From its star-studded beginnings until the present day, Casamigos blanco tequila has been a crowd-pleaser. The company was founded by George Clooney and friends before being bought out, and it went on to become the fastest-growing spirits brand of 2022.
Casamigos Blanco Tequila rests for two months before bottling and is crisp and clean with hints of citrus, vanilla, and sweet blue agave.
Siete Leguas Blanco
Grapefruit citrus notes, a delicate hint of mint, and the cooked agave flavors combine to produce a very smooth blanco tequila that’s perfect for sipping and equally enjoyable on the rocks with a squirt of fresh lime juice.
Blanco Tequila Buying Guide
Mixing or Drinking It Straight
When shopping around for your next bottle of blanco tequila, a factor to consider when perusing the labels is how you intend to enjoy your new drink. While we all have our different preferences and tastes, the general consensus among those who enjoy sipping their tequila is that a smooth tequila with little afterburn is best.
If you’re looking to find the perfect blanco tequila to make mixed drinks and cocktails with, the smoothness is less important, as the other flavors in the glass will subdue the tequila a little.
Palate
There are a couple of other factors that play a role in the overall taste of tequila too. One is the area of production. A large percentage of tequila is produced in Jalisco State, with agave being farmed in both the lowlands and the Jaliscan Highlands.
The two distinct areas have different growing conditions, with the 3,000-foot difference in elevation being an important factor.
Agave harvested from the highlands tends to lead to a spicier and sharper palate, while those from the lowlands tend to produce a more herbal and citrusy palate.
The amount of time the distilled tequila rests is another factor that can affect the overall palate. Blanco tequilas can be bottled pretty much immediately, but some distillers will allow them to rest briefly before bottling.
Tequilas that have aged for the shortest time seem to be best at retaining the citrus and floral tasting notes, with longer aging processes leading to other flavors such as vanilla and caramel coming through.
Price
As with most things in life, the price tag will also play a part in your decision-making. While a higher price tag will generally mean higher quality, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will enjoy the highest-priced blanco tequilas the most. But if you are just starting out of your tequila discovery journey, you can use the price as a guide.
Often the smoother-tasting silver tequilas will be a little pricier than those with a harsher taste. If you’re looking for silver tequila for sipping, maybe start with a mid-priced tequila such as Tequila Ocho Plata or Don Julio.
If you’re looking for a blanco tequila for shots, shooters, and slammers, then, as the tequila will not stay in your mouth for long, you can opt for a more budget-friendly option, such as Espolòn Tequila Blanco or Cimarron Blanco Tequila.
FAQs
Is silver tequila the same as blanco?
Yes, an unaged tequila is known by a few different names. Most commonly, they are referred to as blanco tequilas or silver tequilas, but they can also be identified as being labeled as ‘plata tequila’ or ‘white tequila.
Is blanco tequila better than gold?
Gold tequila is named in a slightly confusing way. Usually, gold is perceived as being better than silver, but that’s not necessarily the case with tequila. Also called ‘joven tequila’ or ‘oro tequila,’ what gold tequila actually is is not so clear-cut. It could refer to a mixto tequila or a blend of blanco tequila and aged tequila.
Is blanco tequila better than reposado?
While it’s essentially a matter of taste, a reposado tequila has been rested before bottling and maybe a little smoother than a blanco tequila. Blanco tequilas are said to be the purest form of tequila, though, as the flavors aren’t altered by the oak casks.
Can you drink blanco tequila straight?
Why not? As long as you drink responsibly, you’re free to drink your beloved Mexican spirit any way you see fit. Blanco tequilas do come with different levels of smoothness, though, and many people prefer a smoother drink for slow sipping.
