The Top Scoring Tequilas & Mezcals of March 2017

Tequila Regional was founded in 1974 by a co-op of agave growers dedicated to producing an excellent Tequila in the traditional method. It is double-distilled from Weber Blue agave grown in 7 counties in the Tequila region. It's produced by Empresa Ejidal Tequilera de Amatitán (NOM 1503) in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Dos Armadillos is the continuation of a family legacy originally founded by Señor Gustavo Jiminez. It is named for the animal that embodies the ancient Mexican symbol of armor and protection, with that design represented on its ornate glass bottle. The reposado is made from 100% agave harvested at a minimum of 8 years and rested 6 months in 200-liter American oak barrels.

Casa San Matias tequilas are made from 100% estate-grown Highland agaves in a distillery located near Tepatitlan, Los Altos de Jalisco. The piñas are oven-baked, Champagne yeast is used in the fermentation process, and the mash is double distilled.

The agave for this tequila was harvested in 1998 in Atotonilco. To compensate the low sugar content of that year's harvest, nearly all of the spirit was aged in American oak barrels; 3% of the spirit went into French oak. Three quarters of the American barrels were former bourbon casks, and the remaining quarter had been previously used for California red wine, along with one former Chardonnay cask. It is bottled at 43% ABV.

The Rey Campero line is produced primarily of wild agaves harvested and distilled in Candelaria Yegolé, Oaxaca by master mezcalero Rómulo Sánchez Parada. Tobalá is 100% agave potatorum (which takes 13 years to mature and grows at 5600 feet) roasted in earthen pits, stone ground, fermented with the aid of natural yeasts in wood casks and distilled in a copper alembic still.

Master Distiller Carlos Camarena represents the third generation of his family of tequila producers. The Camarenas use traditional methods to produce tequila exclusively with agave from their own fields. Rancho El Carrizal is located 6,500 feet above sea level, with the red soil that’s typical of the Los Altos region. Warm days and cool nights impart a balance of sweetness and acidity to the agave, similar to wine grapes.

Tequila Ocho is the first and only Single Estate vintage tequila on the market. Crafted by Tomas Estes & Carlos Camarena. Each bottle is hand bottled, labeled, and has the personal tasting notes for each expression by Tomas on the back label. All the agave is sourced on family farms and therefore each expression from each estate showcases its own terroir. “El Puertecito” is the most northerly agave ranch in the Tequila Ocho family. When they began harvesting here about 25% of the plants were over-matured or decayed. This leads to a very high sugar and acidity content.

This 100% agave tequila is distilled in Los Altos of Jalisco by Enrique Fonseca Cerda, Master Distiller. Distilled twice, the first time in a stainless-steel alembic pot-still and a second time in a copper pot-still. Their reposado is aged for 9 months in French oak barrels.

El Zarco is a modern tequila that's mostly recognized for its packaging in a handpainted bottle, and its relatively low price. This mixto tequila goes through a double-distillation, with the blanco bottled unaged.

Venus Spirits is a distillery founded by Sean Venus in 2012 and is located in Santa Cruz, California; this is where El Ladrón (the thief) Agave Spirit is distilled. Agave juice is sourced from Guadalajara from agaves in the highlands of Jalisco. The juice is fermented, distilled, and bottled at Venus Spirits. The product is rested in stainless-steel before bottling and is 94 proof.