Food & Drink/Drink

The square bottle is unique, but what’s inside is more special. From the highlands of Jalisco, the vegetal undertones are boosted by a nice clean agave sweetness with a lime-like finish. If a bar has this as their rail (well) tequila, you’re in good hands. Works excellently in margaritas, palomas and El Diablos!

This tequila is the partnership between Canadian businessperson Eric Brass and Maestro Marco Cedano. Launched in 2010 and now the No. 1 independent tequila in Canada, its balanced profile and pineapple sweetness are unmistakable. Delicious and refreshing with some soda and a grapefruit twist and the perfect tequila blanco sipper.

Out of one of the oldest houses in Jalisco, this is the world’s first reposado tequila. This smooth spirit is aged in ex-American bourbon barrels for the longest legal amount of time, 11 months. This gives it wonderfully complex banana caramel flavours and a nice roundness — for those who truly appreciate quality booze.

Didn’t expect to find Jose Cuervo on this list did you? This is an affordable, entry-level reposado to get behind. Aged lightly — approx. two months — it’s quite spicy, with notes of cooked agave, vanilla and a hint of cinnamon. Workhorse in any cocktail you feel like making. Try using it in a Rosita cocktail.

Every bartender claims their margarita is the best margarita. They’re all wrong. A margarita made with this lovely coconut tequila will be the best. Don’t let the idea of flavoured tequila fool you, it’s wonderfully integrated and shines when you support it with lime juice, Cointreau and some sugar — a.k.a. a margarita.

Can’t have a tequila list without at least one slightly baller tequila. Cenote is not as popular as the other brands, but this one-year anejo definitely takes the cake. Warm caramel, vanilla and cooked agave with a black pepper finish, this tequila was made for old fashioneds and after-dinner enjoyment.