The Tequila & Mezcal Masters 2025 results
With the popularity of Tequila and mezcal showing no signs of abating, our judges put Mexico’s finest liquid exports to the test.
In the wake of potential US tariffs and issues around additives and sustainable farming, agave spirits is a category that remains exciting and lucrative.
Data from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US indicates that demand for Tequila and mezcal is still going strong in the country (Tequila and mezcal grew by 2.9% to US$6.7 billion last year), despite consumers tightening their purse strings by drinking less or moving to more affordable categories.
Each year, The Spirits Business hosts its Tequila & Mezcal Masters blind tasting to discover the gems of the agave world. For the 2025 instalment, the team gathered three panels of judges at The Broadcaster in London’s White City for a day of tasting some of the finest agave spirits.
Judging panels
Leading the first panel of judges was David T Smith, spirits writer, consultant and co‐founder of the Craft Distilling Expo, who judged alongside Dan Greifer, bar manager of Black Parrot, and Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant and founder of Ruchira’s Table.
The second panel was led by Melita Kiely, editor‐in‐chief of The Spirits Business, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions. She was joined by Richard Legg, owner of Distilled Knowledge, and Ermias Ghebre Kidane, bar manager of The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.
Matt Chambers, director and co‐founder of the Whisky For Everyone blog,and Steph DiCamillo, director of Wine & Such, made up the third panel.
The competition kicked off with a tasting of 100% Agave Tequilas with a Gold awarded to Casazar Tequila Joven in the Ultra‐Premium Joven heat. The judges praised the expression for its “vegetal agave notes” and “soft sweetness”.
Premium blancos under £26 were assessed next, where six Golds were awarded including one for Olmeca Blanco. Legg described the expression as having “peppery agave” with “vegetal notes” and a “well‐ balanced agave flavour”.
Fellow Gold winners included: “great cocktail option” Jose Cuervo Tradicional Blanco; the “fresh and vibrant” Sierra Tequila Blanco; Cabrita Blanco, which offered “orange zest and earthy spices”; and Jaja Tequila Blanco, with its “bright mineral marine kelp notes and a hint of green melon”.
Gold-winning Espero Blanco offered “citrus and broken pine needles and cooked plantain on the nose”.
Moving up the price bracket, the judges sampled a selection of Super‐Premium Blancos priced between £26 and £39. Three Golds were given out, to 1800 Blanco, Desdeya Uno and Sierra Antiguo Plata.
Desdeya Uno was praised for being an “elegant Tequila” with “delicate fruite and earthy agave”. A trio of Silvers concluded the round.
Neotia summed up the flight: “A relatively quality consistent category, albeit I would like to see more overt agave notes in 100%‐agave Tequila. One expression was completely masked by vanilla icing sugar notes.”
Three Masters
The Ultra‐Premium 100% Agave Blancos (£40 and above) were tested next, with four Master winners impressing the panels. The first was awarded to Diageo‐owned Casamigos Blanco Tequila.
“The cask influences the palate quite a lot but enhances the Tequila’s profile beautifully,” said Legg. “You still get agave sweetness, some tropical fruit notes, a little orchard fruit, gentle spice, vanilla. A great blanco in this price range.”
The Lost Explorer Tequila went home with a Master medal, with the product praised by Smith for its “superb nose, absolutely textbook, grassy and citrusy, earthy, salty; this follows through on the palate with some light spice notes”.
El Tequileño Still Strength (50% ABV) also won a Master, with Chambers noting: “Earthy, peppery and vegetal on the nose, roasted agave with some green capsicum, very nice on the palate, good balance of sweet vs earthy, nice roasted agave notes with some green fruit and peppery spices.”
Concluding the Master lineup was Tanteo Blanco. Kiely was full of praise for the Master‐winning product: “Very fresh and green palate, great balance of gentle agave sweetness, some light spice and pepper, cloves and aniseed on the finish – great complexity for this price point.”
A bumper 11 Golds were added to the medal tally, alongside three Silvers.
Among the Gold winners were Volcan de mi Tierra Blanco, which had a “very classic nose with earthy spice and sugary sweetness”, Casa Obsidiana Blanco, with its “cloves, some spice, vanilla, green pepper and sweet cooked agave”, and Trulussó Tequila Blanco, which was praised for its “slightly floral palate and some liquorice”.
Gold‐winning Patrón El Cielo was enjoyed for its “creamy palate with a line of white pepper cutting through”. The “lighter‐style Tequila” Kah Blanco and Herradura Blanco, described as “very moreish – a perfect blend of vegetal, floral and light tropicality” also walked away with Gold medals.
Smith praised the flight: “Fabulous range of spirits profiles, from fresh and floral to sweet and spicy – really showcases the breadth of Tequila distillation.”
A growing category in the US, cristalinos were put in the spotlight next with a tasting of Premium 100% Agave Cristalino Tequilas. In this round, Proximo Spirits stole the show, with Jose Cuervo Tradicional Cristalino winning a Gold for its “nice round sweetness” and “caramelised plantain”.
The Ultra‐Premium Cristalino segment resulted in three Gold medals and a Silver. The Golds were awarded to: “soft and slightly buttery” Tequila Coracho Anejo Cristalino, the “floral and vegetal” Patrón Cristalino, and Centinela Eterno Cristalino, with its “distinct green malt aromatic opening the door to fresh agave notes and peach blossom”.
Premium portion
Moving on from blanco and cristalinos, the resposado segment (Tequilas aged for up to a year in oak barrels) was assessed next. The premium portion of the tasting (Tequilas priced under £30) got off to a strong start with a hat trick of Masters. The first went to Olmeca Reposado, which DiCamillo praised for being a “lovely sipping Tequila – would be delicious with a slice of orange and cinnamon”.
Proximo Spirits’ 1800 Tequila was also a worthy Master winner. Neotia lauded its “sweet orange and dried mangoes, flows on to the palate with exquisite balance that builds – extraordinary example at this price point”. Sierra Antiguo Reposado was also at the Master standard with Chambers noting “lovely vanilla, chocolate and agave on nose, very nice and earthy on palate with a good level of roasted agave”.
Five Golds were also found, including two from Tequila Centinela: Cabrito Reposado and Centinela Clásico Reposado. Cabrito was described as a “light and delicate reposado – a lot more floral and grassy notes more akin to a blanco”.
Climbing up the price ladder, the panels progressed to a tasting of Ultra‐Premium Reposados (£46 and above). Midi Tequila blew away the judges as the only product in the flight to secure the top award. Chambers was a fan of the product: “Very fragrant and floral on the nose, herbal, lots of oak and vanilla, woody and herbal on palate with some vanilla, dried potpourri and some bay leaf.”
Seven Golds were also discovered, among them were Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Reposado, which was “pleasantly grassy” with a “hint of bell pepper”; Laelia Reposado, said to have a “touch of golden syrup and mellow woody notes”; and Trulussó Tequila Reposado, with “celery notes” and a “eucalyptus finish”.
Worth the price
Next up was añejo Tequilas, with a tasting of premium varieties (£35 and under) leading to a Gold for Jose Cuervo Tradicional Añejo. Kiely noted: “Palate brings a touch of coffee, white grapes, cooked agave, very light spice. Elegant, easy‐going and worth the price point.”
A Gold was also bestowed upon the “spicy and woody” 1800 Añejo in the following flight, Super‐Premium, which explored añejo Tequilas priced between £35 and £54.
Ultra‐premium añejos were the highlight of the competition, with six Master medals awarded in that flight. Master‐winning Trulussó Tequila Añejo was praised by DiCamillo, who found it had “lovely herbaceous notes with good use of the wood to bring gentle sweet vanilla notes. The palate is lots of green peppercorn, super herbaceous, grassy. The wood has brought a subtle vanilla sweetness. Quite elegant.”
The second Master went to El Tequileño Añejo Gran Reserva, which Chambers praised for its “soft, sweet and fudgey nose, lovely roasted agave and warming peppery notes on palate, some candied lime, vanilla fudge and earthy spices, cinnamon bark and clove with some ginseng”.
Expressive nose
Adding to the Master medal tally was Casazar Tequila Añejo, enjoyed for its “very expressive nose with plenty of earthy roasted agave and peppery spice, creamy and syrupy on palate with drying oak and peppery spice balanced with sweet golden syrup and charred agave – so delicious”, Chambers exclaimed.
Kiely was fond of Master‐winning Partida Roble Fino Añejo: “Bold nose – citrus, caramel, agave, oak. Palate is equally big – warming spice, tannins, caramel, vanilla and agave sweetness. Really delicious – a Tequila for whisky lovers. Stunning.” Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Añejo was the fifth Master winner in the round.
Greifer said: “A beautiful sweetness from baked agave. A well‐integrated alcohol content that goes down easy. Nice burnt orange peel and the dryness that associates with it. A beautiful harmony and balance.”
The final Master in the flight was Kah Añejo. Smith likened it to a Cognac, praising it for being “chocolatey” with a “lovely richness and lots of oily notes”.Five Golds were also awarded in the flight. Among them were Partida Cristalino Añejo, said to have a “distinct acid profile of a clean cristalino with the floral honeyed notes of an aged Tequila” and Casamigos Añejo Tequila, which offered an aroma of “vanilla, caramel and lightly vegetal”.
Extra Añejo – Tequilas aged for a minimum of three years – was put to the panels with a tasting of 100% agave expressions priced over £55. A Master went to Tears of Llorono, for its “rich leather and aged Ibérico mingled with treacle. Luscious and lingering on the palate with a honey ginger finish,” said Neotia. The final Tequila to walk away with the top award was Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo.
Smith said: “Great mouthfeel, brown sugar and caramel velvety texture, some grassy vegetal notes behind it – luxurious.” Judges enjoyed a taste of flavoured Tequilas in the next flight, where a Gold was given to 1800 Coconut, praised for its authentic coconut flavours and “well‐balanced” palate. In the next heat, Tequila Spirit Drink, Jose Cuervo secured a Gold for its Devil’s Reserve – described as a “great berry and fresh chilli concoction”.
Particularly enamoured
The competition moved on to mezcal, with a Master awarded in the first instant, with Del Maguey San Luis del Rio storming to success in the 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven round. Smith noted: “Classic mezcal nose, smoky and vegetal – exactly what you would expect.” Stablemates Del Maguey Vida Clasico and Del Maguey Vida de Muertos also proved their worth with Gold medals. A duo of Masters for Mezcales Casa Armando came to fruition in the 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven – Espadín heat. DiCamillo was particularly enamoured by Master winner Señorío Joven: “The balance of fruit, smoke, and herbal green notes sing in harmony. The length is tremendous with tons of complexity, a silky smooth finish. A summertime sipper.” Joining Señorío Joven in the Master ranks was Recuerdo Abocado Con Gusano.
Chambers said: “Chargrilled capsicum and stewed pear on the nose, super expressive and inviting. Equally as expressive on the palate, fresh and vegetal, blackened green capsicum or padrón pepper, sweet cream soda and icing sugar underneath with late peppery heat.” Mezcales Casa Armando dominated the flight by also taking home a Gold for Recuerdo Joven.
Hints of smoke
The next flight of joven mezcals, Espadín + Cupreata + Alto, resulted in a Gold for Nanakutzi Triple Ensamble. It was noted by the judges for having “hints of smoke, toasted nuts and sesame seeds” on the palate.
The Maguey Manso Sahuayo joven round brought a deserving Master medal to Zacal Mezcal – Manso Sahuayo. Smith was a fan: “Rich bold engaging nose, gentle smoke notes, a little sweetness, grassiness, earthy but with lots to explore and a great flavour journey.”
Stablemate Zacal Mezcal – Ensamble also gained a Master in the following flight, Maguey Manso Sahuayo + Bruto. Greifer said: “The alcohol is so well integrated; it doesn’t feel like 50% ABV. There’s this lovely boiled sweetness. A wonderful sipper.”
The judges headed into blanco mezcal bottlings with a Gold for Perro Verde Tobasiche in the Tobasiche flight. Smith said it was “oily and bold, aggressive but in a pleasant way with some smoke and some resinous green notes, oily but balanced”. The Blanco Espadín round resulted in a Master, Gold and Silver each.
The Master winner was Manojo Mezcal Artesanal, which had “bacon‐flavoured crisps” on the aroma, and was described as a “classic example of a blanco mezcal”. Madre Espadín won Gold for its “sweet vegetal aromas and hints of smoky agave” in the heat.
But it was Madre Ensamble that took things up a notch in terms of quality in the following flight, Espadín + Cuishe. The Master‐winning mezcal gained major approval from DiCamillo: “Very rich umami and firefly aromas. Sweet barbeque smoke, unripe pineapple. Palate is explosive with heady smoke, earthy clay and pepper.”
Perro Verde Ensamble won a Gold in the Espadín + Tobasiche heat, enjoyed for its “light and delicate palate with an elegant green peppercorn‐like spice”. The final mezcal flight was Reposado – Espadín, where a Gold was given to the “very approachable and nicely made” Zignum Reposado.
Mexican spirit sotol added some excitement to the competition with one Master discovered in the Sotol heat. Sotol originates from three areas in the north of Mexico, and is made from the Dasylirion plant, also known as ‘the desert spoon’. Master winner Cardenxe Sotol de La Sierra impressed Chambers, who said: “Very earthy and vegetal on nose, hint of green capsicum and chilli, creamy and soft on palate with lovely icing sugar and green vegetal notes, twist of lime zest, and delicate earthy peppery spices.”
Lovely funk
The Master standard continued into the final round of this year’s competition, Agave Spirits, where Cocuy Saroche was deemed Master‐worthy. Produced in Venezuela from the cocui trelease agave, Cocuy Saroche was enjoyed by Griefer who noted its similarity to Haitian sugarcane spirit clairin: “A lovely funk, feels like a wild ferment in terms of the funkiness. Still uniquely agave, as it has that eucalyptus and floral mouthfeel along with the funk. It is akin to a lovely clairin, but with an elegance that you don’t get from a clairin.”
At the end of the competition, the judges had the tough task of blind tasting all the Master winners to pin down their favourite Tequila and mezcal of the day. It was ultimately decided that this year’s Tequila Taste Master would be Infinium Spirits’ Tears of Llorona, while Madre Ensamble was named Mezcal Taste Master for 2025.
Looking back on the day’s tasting, what was evident among the judges was a clear appreciation for agave spirits that showcased their own distinct qualities while staying true to their base material.
| 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Joven | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Tequila Stack | Casazar Tequila Joven | Gold |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Premium Blanco | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| House of Tequila | Olmeca Blanco | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Tradicional Blanco | Gold |
| Stock Spirits Group/ Borco International | Sierra Tequila Blanco | Gold |
| Jaja Tequila | Jaja Tequila Blanco | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Cabrito Blanco | Gold |
| Tanteo Tequila | Espero Blanco | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Centinela Clásico Blanco | Silver |
| El Tequileño | El Tequileño Blanco | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Super-Premium Blanco | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Blanco | Gold |
| Meanwhile Drinks | Desdeya Uno | Gold |
| Stock Spirits Group/ Borco International | Sierra Antiguo Plata | Gold |
| House of Tequila | Altos Plata | Silver |
| Casa Malka | Casa Malka Blanco | Silver |
| Pacific & Lime | Pacific & Lime Tequila – Blanco | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Blanco | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Diageo | Casamigos Blanco Tequila | Master |
| The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company | The Lost Explorer Tequila | Master |
| El Tequileño | El Tequileño Still Strength | Master |
| Tanteo Tequila | Tanteo Blanco | Master |
| Tequila Partida | Partida Blanco | Gold |
| Moët Hennessy | Volcan de mi Tierra Blanco | Gold |
| El Tequileño | El Tequileño Platinum | Gold |
| Madre Mezcal | Madre Tequila Blanco | Gold |
| Boisset Collection | Casa Obsidiana Blanco | Gold |
| Trulussó Spirits Group | Trulussó Tequila Blanco | Gold |
| Midi Tequila | Midi Blanco | Gold |
| Patrón Tequila | Patrón El Cielo | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Tequila Centinela | Gold |
| Amber Beverage Group | Kah Blanco | Gold |
| Brown-Forman | Herradura Blanco | Gold |
| Casa Azul Spirits | Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Blanco | Silver |
| Grupo Solave | Laelia Blanco | Silver |
| Tequila Coracho | Tequila Coracho Blanco Rosa | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Premium Cristalino | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Tradicional Cristalino | Gold |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Cristalino | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Tequila Coracho | Tequila Coracho Anejo Cristalino | Gold |
| Patrón Tequila | Patrón Cristalino | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Centinela Eterno Cristalino | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Cristalino | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Premium Reposado | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| House of Tequila | Olmeca Reposado | Master |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Reposado | Master |
| Stock Spirits Group / Borco International | Sierra Antiguo Reposado | Master |
| Stock Spirits Group / Borco International | Sierra Tequila Reposado | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado | Gold |
| Jaja Tequila | Jaja Tequila Reposado | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Centinela Clásico Reposado | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Cabrito Reposado | Gold |
| Central Hisúmer | Tequila Machitos Reposado | Silver |
| El Tequileño | El Tequileño Reposado | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Super-Premium Reposado | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| El Tequileño | El Tequileño Reposado Gran Reserva | Gold |
| Casa Malka | Casa Malka Reposado | Silver |
| Brown-Forman | Herradura Reposado | Silver |
| Tequila Centinela | Centinela Reposado | Silver |
| House of Tequila | Altos Reposado | Silver |
| Proximo Spirits | Gran Coramino | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Reposado | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Midi Tequila | Midi Tequila | Master |
| Tequila Stack | Casazar Tequila Reposado | Gold |
| Casa Azul Spirits | Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Reposado | Gold |
| Moët Hennessy | Volcan de mi Tierra Reposado | Gold |
| Trulussó Spirits Group | Trulussó Tequila Reposado | Gold |
| Grupo Solave | Laelia Reposado | Gold |
| Boisset Collection | Casa Obsidiana Reposado | Gold |
| Brown-Forman | Herradura Legend | Gold |
| Diageo | Casamigos Reposado Tequila | Silver |
| Augusto | Augusto Tequila Reposado | Silver |
| Tequila Coracho | Tequila Coracho Reposado | Silver |
| Patrón Tequila | Patrón El Alto | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Premium Añejo | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Tradicional Añejo | Gold |
| Jaja Tequila | Jaja Tequila Añejo | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Super-Premium Añejo | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Añejo | Gold |
| Stock Spirits Group/ Borco International | Sierra Antiguo Añejo | Silver |
| Tequila Coracho | Tequila Coracho Añejo | Silver |
| Tequila Partida | Partida Añejo | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Añejo | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Trulussó Spirits Group | Trulussó Tequila Añejo | Master |
| El Tequileño | El Tequileño Añejo Gran Reserva | Master |
| Tequila Stack | Casazar Tequila Añejo | Master |
| Tequila Partida | Partida Roble Fino Añejo | Master |
| Casa Azul Spirits | Casa Azul Orgánico Tequila Añejo | Master |
| Amber Beverage Group | Kah Añejo | Master |
| Tequila Partida | Partida Cristalino Añejo | Gold |
| Brown-Forman | Herradura Ultra | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Centinela Añejo | Gold |
| Boisset Collection | Casa Obsidiana Anejo | Gold |
| Diageo | Casamigos Añejo Tequila | Gold |
| Emyla Tequila | Emyla Tequila | Silver |
| 100% Agave Tequila – Ultra-Premium Extra Añejo | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Infinium Spirits | Tears of Llorona | Master & Tequila Taste Master |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo | Master |
| Moët Hennessy | Tequila Volcan de mi Tierra XA | Gold |
| Tequila Centinela | Centinela 3 Años | Gold |
| Amber Beverage Group | Kah Extra Añejo | Gold |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Milenio | Silver |
| Flavoured Tequila | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | 1800 Coconut | Gold |
| Tanteo Tequila | Tanteo Jalapeño | Silver |
| Tequila Spirit Drink | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Proximo Spirits | Jose Cuervo Devil’s Reserve | Gold |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| House of Tequila | Del Maguey San Luis del Rio | Master |
| House of Tequila | Del Maguey Vida Clasico | Gold |
| House of Tequila | Del Maguey Vida de Muertos | Gold |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven – Espadín | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Mezcales Casa Armando | Señorío Joven | Master |
| Mezcales Casa Armando | Recuerdo Abocado con Gusano | Master |
| Mezcales Casa Armando | Recuerdo Joven | Gold |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven – Espadín + Cupreata + Alto | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Nanakutzi | Nanakutzi Triple Ensamble | Gold |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven – Maguey Manso Sahuayo | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Terroir Spirits | Zacal Mezcal – Manso Sahuayo | Master |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Joven – Maguey Manso Sahuayo + Bruto | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Terroir Spirits | Zacal Mezcal – Ensamble | Master |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Blanco – Tobasiche | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Perro Verde Mezcal | Perro Verde Tobasiche | Gold |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Blanco – Espadín | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Manojo Inc | Manojo Mezcal Artesanal | Master |
| Madre Mezcal | Madre Espadin | Gold |
| Perro Verde Mezcal | Perro Verde Espadin | Silver |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Blanco – Espadín + Cuishe | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Madre Mezcal | Madre Ensamble | Master & Mezcal Taste Master |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Blanco – Espadín + Tobasiche | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Perro Verde Mezcal | Perro Verde Ensamble | Gold |
| 100% Agave Mezcal – Reposado – Espadín | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Mezcales Casa Armando | Zignum Reposado | Gold |
| Sotol | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Cardenxe Sotol | Cardenxe Sotol de La Sierra | Master |
| Agave Spirits | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Distillers United Group | Cocuy Saroche | Master |
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