Overview: The global spirits landscape is evolving as quality takes precedence in a changing world. A comprehensive review identifies the best tequilas on the planet, noting that while volume growth has flattened, the market value continues to rise significantly.
The Full Story
Tequila sales have stabilized globally with volume growing approximately 2 percent in 2025, down from higher rates between 2019 and 2025. The United States market, which absorbs about two-thirds of all tequila, is currently slipping, while Mexican exports remain healthy with shipments shifting a million liters in 2025. The industry is transitioning from a boom phase to a mature category, where growth shifts from the US to emerging markets and from mid-priced lifestyle brands to value-for-money options and high-end bottles.
The rankings feature eleven items, including El Tesoro de Don Felipe Paradiso Tequila Extra Anejo from Jalisco priced at $198 with a score of 97. Other selections include Gran Centenario Leyenda Tequila Extra Anejo ($157, 96), Partida Elegante Gran Reserva Tequila Extra Anejo ($402, 96), and Tears of Llorona No 3 Tequila Extra Anejo ($214, 96). Additional bottles listed are Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Tequila Extra Anejo ($181, 95), Don Julio 1942 Tequila Anejo ($177, 95), and Don Fulano Tequila Anejo ($89, 95). Lower tier selections include Siete 7 Leguas Tequila Reposado ($62, 95), Leyenda del Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Tequila Reposado ($56, 95), Mayenda Tequila Reposado Double Cask ($77, 95), and Cazul 100 Reserva Tequila Anejo ($50, 95).
Production & Profile
The methodology for the rankings aggregates critic scores to create a Wine-Searcher score. This year operates a hybrid model whereby the tequila rankings are based on a minimum of two separate scores. The list includes ultra-premium and super-premium tiers, though the picture is muddled within those categories. Only one bottle has a global average price tag of more than $300, and only two creep above the $200 mark. Five of the selections sit at levels comfortably less than $100.
Brand & Industry History
Historically, tequila experienced a mighty wave driven by cocktail culture, Covid isolation, and a shift from Martinis to Margaritas. However, the market has shifted entirely as interest in the category changes. The ultra-premium tier is the only segment growing strongly in the US with volumes up 7 percent in 2025, whereas super-premium volumes fell 6 percent last year. Heavy agave planting has created a glut, and raw material costs have fallen sharply, pushing prices down.
What This Means
The outlook for the industry generally remains less clear, though plenty of supply exists due to a glut of product from heavy agave planting. Raw material costs have fallen sharply, pushing prices down and favoring value-for-money brands. Whether US weakness is temporary or structural remains uncertain, but the steam is taken out of pricing overall. The ultra-elite Tears of Llorona is the new addition to the ranks after picking up some hefty scores in the past year.
Consumer Takeaway
This release offers access to the crème de la crème of tequilas, with five bottles sitting at levels comfortably less than $100. The list includes ultra-elite additions like Tears of Llorona and provides a hybrid model ranking based on a minimum of two separate critic scores. Overall, it is good news for tequila lovers as the steam is taken out of pricing and the glut of product means there is plenty of supply.
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