Get ready for Cinco de Mayo with a selection of the finest tequilas and mezcals to try. Cinco de Mayo, celebrating Mexico’s victory over the French Empire in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla, is an annual celebration often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day. Here are some of our top picks for your celebration:
Loco Tequila Blanco:
Mexico’s first ultra-luxury terruño tequila, produced in the El Arenal region of Jalisco. Highlighting the essence of the agave with a “double jima” process and uniquely designed bottles by artist Jan Hendrix.
Familia el Cristiano – El Cristiano Extra Anejo Black Label: Aged for 3 years in American Oak, this tequila has notes of caramel and honey with a sweet fruit taste. Produced by third-generation master tequila makers and supporting orphanages in Guadalajara.
Montelobos Pechuga:
Distilled for a third time with turkey breast, seasonal fruits, and spices, this mezcal uses traditional methods with a single stone tahona and copper vat distillation. It offers a warm, smoky sip with flavors of roasted almonds and maple honey.
Doña Vega’s Tobalá:
Harvested from wild Tobalá maguey found in high desert canyons, this ‘king of mezcals’ features tasting notes of smoke, earth, leather, cedar, and hints of lemon zest. It has a creamy and velvety mouthfeel with a 43% ABV.
Catedral Mezcal Tobala:
As the most awarded new mezcal in 2022, this mezcal comes in six varieties. Their Tobala recently won a gold medal at the San Diego Wine and Spirits Competition, and they emphasize partnerships with local communities.
Fósforo Tobalá:
Created by a fourth-generation mezcalero from wild yeast and the largest Tobalá agave in Mexico, this mezcal reflects the terroir of the Huehuetlán el Grande region of Puebla. Triple distilled, unaged, and bottled at 90 proof.
Bosscal Pechuga De Conejo:
Unique to Durango, this mezcal uses traditional methods, open air-ground pit fermentation, naturally occurring yeast, and distillation in a wooden still known as El Viejo. Triple distilled with a skinless rabbit suspended during the third distillation, resulting in a rich mezcal with light smoke and crisp citrus, orange, and blood orange notes.
Los Magos Sotol Blanco:
Triple-distilled and made from 100% wild-grown sotol sustainably sourced from the Chihuahuan Desert. It offers notes of citrus, black pepper, light smoke, honey, and eucalyptus with no additives, creating a distinct category of its own.
Grand Mayan Reposado:
Aged in ex-American whiskey casks for six months and finished in ex-Cognac barrels for two more months, this tequila has tasting notes of oak and dark chocolate. The Reposado bottles are adorned with 24K gold appliqué, hand-applied and bottled in traditional Talavera ceramic decanters.
El Tequileño Añejo Gran Reserva:
Distilled in copper pot stills and aged in American and French oak barrels for two years. It has aromas of oak and vanilla and tasting notes of sweet spices, orange, and caramel, best tequilas enjoyed neat.
Desolas Mezcal Blanco:
Handcrafted from 100% Salmiana agave in San Luis Potosi, this female-founded mezcal brand uses above-ground oven cooking for a smooth, balanced spirit with a fresh aroma and flavor.
PATRÓN Silver:
Handcrafted from Weber Blue Agave, water, and yeast, PATRÓN Silver is distilled in small batches in Jalisco, Mexico. It has aromas of fruits and citrus and a light pepper finish, setting the benchmark for tequilas.
Tequila Don Ramón Platinium Cristalino Añejo:
Double-distilled and aged in American oak barrels for 12 months, this 100% Blue Agave tequila from Jalisco has a proprietary finishing process, presenting a rich and robust profile with notes of wood, spices, nuts, vanilla, cacao, and cinnamon.
Whether you prefer them neat or in your favorite margarita, you can’t go wrong with one of these bottles for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
