I would pour tequilas side-by-side to understand the nuances in each and sling fresh watermelon margaritas like summer could never stop. Patron may be a big producer of Tequila, but its production process and the small sizes of its numerous stills mean that it is still able to make its product in relatively small batches.

Camarena continues to show me the two-story-tall clay steam ovens that he uses to cook his agaves, and explains how he modified them by adding an extra steamer to get evenly cooked agaves. El Tequileño, located in the heart of el Valle de Tequila with its 60-year-old tradition and legacy, has created one of the best-tasting reposado tequilas in the market,” Quiñonez says.Through my travels in Mexico I’ve come to experience the ritual of the process and the heart that goes into making this spirit…knowing history to me was a more authentic way to offer options to those I was serving. Don Julio is named after the brand’s founder, Don Julio Gonzalez, who started making Tequila in 1942 when he was 17 years old. The floral hints of cooked fruit, smoke, and spice create the ideal introduction to a traditional-style mezcal made in the fashion of tequila. This expression is made with wild agave that naturally grows in the high plateau of San Luis Potosí.

Felipe is uncompromising in crafting pure luxury tequila by both honoring traditions like copper stills and stone ovens and using only mature agave plants from their own estate, but also innovating by distilling with harvested rainwater, natural spring water, and creating stone ovens that evenly cook the tequila, taking out the internal “male parts” of the agave to remove bitterness, recycling the cooked agave and turning it into fertilizer. I first visited the tequila distilleries in Jalisco in 2018 and the whole experience—from meeting the jimadors and maestro tequileros to eating pre-Hispanic Mexican delicacies—was profoundly glorious. This reposado is incredible: so many exploding flavors such as cooked tropical fruit, honey, spice, hints of clove, and aniseed deliver a wonderful reposado style tequila from start to finish.At 110 proof you’d think it would light your face on fire, but in reality, it’s more like someone flashes a bright light in a dark room and you’re instantaneously awake and ready to go. An unaged expression that’s made only from first-press juice, the nose is earthy and vegetal, combining freshness with smoky notes. The first use of Wood Fermentation at El Pandillo, de Madera, is a limited edition, annual release Blanco tequila. Bold and expressive, its earthy, herbal, vegetal, and smoky notes deliver an outstanding full body and perfectly balanced espadín mezcal.

I’m J Highland, and for over 30 years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the captivating world of Tequila, Mezcal, and other agave spirits. Created in partnership between Olmeca master distiller Jesús Hernández and two top bartenders from the UK, this 100% agave tequila hailing from the Highland region of Jalisco boasts a nose full of agave character, alongside grass, citrus and spring blossom.This particular Tequila, from the field Las Presas, or The Dams, is all tropical characters of guava, melon and pineapple, mingling with the unmistakable agave and pepper character that come with Ocho products. de Madera is also the only G4 expression made with deep well water, adding even more unique depth and complex character to this tequila vs all other G4. And the brands that resonated with my early years were Chinaco, Siete Leguas, and Tres Magueyes, because they had always represented quality and tradition. She ignited a new and early passion for the industry—as she was an amazing bartender and cocktail waitress for 25 years.

My education and training include a thorough knowledge of agave spirits creation from planting agaves to bottling, including distillation. This expression, from destilería La Tequileña in the heart of el Valle de Tequila, only utilizes hand-selected estate-grown Highland agaves to produce Don Fulano Blanco, which provides exquisite beauty and elegance.Also sign me up for newsletters so I can get special offers, recommendations, and expert advice to my inbox!