Top 10 Inexpensive Tequila Brands

Altos tequila is the brainchild of two esteemed bartenders and a master tequilero. The trio set out to make a robust and smooth spirit with a strong enough taste to stand out in cocktails. The Altos distillers use sustainable methods to make their tequila. The spirit is pleasantly sweet with citrus notes. The award-winning company makes three kinds of tequila.

El Jimador actively participates in every aspect of the tequila-making process. The company harvests its own agave, ensuring the quality is unimpeachable. This hands-on approach has paid dividends for El Jimador; the tequila’s won over 22 awards between 2010 and 2022. El Jimador makes three tequilas from its blue agave. The taste is herbal and mellow.

Cazadores began pursuing the perfect tequila recipe in 1922. Determined to craft the best spirit, the distillery chose the name “Cazadores,” meaning “the hunters,” to signify the pursuit of perfection. Cazadores makes its tequila from 100 percent blue agave. The brand makes five tequilas as well as three canned cocktails.

Camarena distillers hand-harvest every piece of agave used in its tequila. This commitment to detail helps the company craft a smooth, delicious spirit. Camarena fills a drinker’s mouth with the pleasant taste of herbs and citrus. Vanilla and spice undertones linger after the sip. The distillers offer three bottles of tequila.

Arette’s distillery is one of the oldest continually operating tequila-producing facilities. The company owes its longevity to superior ingredients and a commitment to excellence. Arette’s ten tequila varieties have won multiple awards. A robust agave flavor infuses every mouthful of Arette. The spirit is sweet without being saccharine and carries subtle vanilla and citrus notes.

Mi Campo applies unconventional methods to a beloved classic. The distillers honor tequila’s rich tradition while updating the methods used to craft it. Mi Campo ages its spirits in Napa Valley French oak wine casks. The company uses 100 percent blue agave. The distillers squeeze instead of crushing the ingredient, preventing any bitterness from entering the brew. The resulting tequila is sweet, with pineapple and vanilla undertones.

Francisco Beckmann gave up co-ownership of Jose Cuervo in 2002 to open the Tierra de Agaves distillery. This establishment, dedicated to crafting the finest small-batch tequila, produces Lunazul. The 100 percent blue agave spirit tastes spicy with citrus undertones and just a hint of vanilla. Lunazul’s well-balanced tequila offers plenty of agave taste in each sip.

Tres Agaves was a restaurant before it was a tequila. The establishment’s founder, Barry Augus, decided to channel the restaurant’s successful tequila sales into a new business venture. Tres Agaves makes its award-winning tequila with organic, 100 percent blue agave. The spirit is sweet without being overpowering. A subtle hint of mint enhances fruit flavors.

Corralejo distills its celebrated tequila in a bustling cultural and historical center called Hacienda Corralejo. Like the facility, Corralejo tequila strives to capture the vibrancy and warmth of Mexico. Corralejo makes a wide range of tequilas. The flagship bottle tastes of honey, vanilla, and caramel. Pepper and citrus notes round out each sip.

Jose Cuervo is recognized globally by tequila fans and non-drinkers alike. The company set the standard for the spirit; Jose Cuervo received the first King-granted charter to commercially produce and sell tequila in 1795. Today the company makes a wide array of tequilas and tequila products like margarita mix. The spirit’s warm, oaky taste makes it ideal for cocktails. The herbal notes keep Cuervo from being overpowered by other ingredients.