The World’s Best Blanco And Reposado Tequila According To The Latin American World Spirits Competition

The inaugural Latin American World Spirits Competition (LAWSC) awarded Best-in-Class honors to two Tequilas in the Blanco and Reposado categories. Ten Tequilas made the final rounds Below is a brief description of the winners, along with tasting notes.

The LAWSC, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in November 2024, is the latest addition to the Tasting Alliance’s family of international wine, beer, and spirit competitions. The Guadalajara Visitors and Convention Bureau was a co-sponsor. The event featured several hundred entries, many of which were not well-known to American Tequila enthusiasts.

Amanda Blue, President of the Tasting Alliance, noted:

Tequila is our fastest-growing spirits category. We’ve seen a tremendous increase in the number of Tequila entries across all our spirit competitions. Staging a competition in Guadalajara, in the heart of the Tequila production zone, allows us to highlight many up-and-coming brands that are not yet well-known outside Mexico.

The Lost Explorer Tequila Blanco, 100% de Agave, 40% ABV, 750 ml, won Best-in-Class Blanco.

The Lost Explorer is a premium spirit brand renowned for its traditionally crafted, artisanal mezcal and Tequila. The Lost Explorer Tequila Blanco, introduced in October 2024, marked the brand’s entry into the Tequila market.

This Tequila is produced in the Los Valles (Lowland) region of Jalisco, Mexico, in the heart of Mexico’s Tequila production zone. It’s noteworthy for fermenting with Champagne yeast, an unusual though not unheard-of practice that contributes to the Tequila’s refined and herbaceous profile.

The appearance is crystal clear with a bright sheen. The nose features fresh herbal aromas of green agave with hints of citrus and pineapple, complemented by subtle creamy/buttery notes and a touch of cinnamon.

It’s full-bodied on the palate, with a creamy, oily texture and a distinctive mouth weight. It features herbal notes, hints of cooked agave, some cinnamon, and a noticeable, wet stone minerality. The finish is long and slightly sweet, with lingering herbaceous and cinnamon spice notes.

The LAWSC Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring:

A balanced profile with earthy minerality and wet stone notes is complemented by fresh green agave, green pepper, and a touch of chili. Hints of caramel and green olives add depth, all underscored by citrusy, herbal, and fruity nuances, finishing with a creamy, vegetal richness.

There were four other finalists in the Blanco Tequila category.

Laelia Tequila Blanco, Amatitán, 40% ABV, 750 ml, was described by the LAWSC Judging Panel as exhibiting:

An aromatic nose with hints of allspice and banana offers a clean, herbaceous complexity on the palate. It is balanced and creamy with a viscous texture. Though the finish is slightly short, it leaves a lingering cooked agave and herbal aftertaste.

TAU Tequila Blanco, 40% ABV, 750 ml, on the other hand, was described by the Judging Panel as expressing:

A nice peppery nose and a smooth, balanced palate, enhanced by subtle brown sugar notes, offer a surprisingly pleasant sweetness.

Familia Camarena Silver Tequila, 40% ABV, 750 ml, offered a very different profile. The LAWSC Judging Panel described it as showing:

A bright, citrusy, and balanced profile with aromatic notes of black pepper, ancho peppers, and roasted agave. Earthy, mineral, and salty nuances provide depth, wrapped in a clean, creamy texture and a rich, slightly acidic finish.

Cachasol Tequila Epic Strength 48% ABV, 750 ml, is an above strength Tequila. The LAWSC Judging Panel described it as being:

Aromatic and herbaceous, with a spicy kick and grassy notes that create a fresh, inviting profile.

Patrón Tequila El Alto, 40% ABV, 750 ml, was the Best-in-Class Reposado Tequila. It also won Best Overall Tequila and Best in Show Agave Spirit.

Patrón, a renowned brand, played a pivotal role in Tequila’s rise to a premium spirit category. The brand was founded in 1989 by John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley. It was among the first to publicize using 100% mature blue agave pinas and a stone tahona to crush agave.

Bacardi Limited acquired Patrón Spirits International in 2018, further expanding the brand’s global reach. Despite its global footprint, Patrón continues to produce its Tequila in small batches at Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, Mexico, adhering to the traditional methods that have defined the brand.

Patrón El Alto comprises 4 YO Extra Añejo Tequila blended with select Añejo and Reposado Tequilas. The aging process utilizes 11 different types of barrels, mostly in hybrid casks of American oak bodies and French oak heads.

The Tequila is a light gold. Its nose features aromas of cooked agave, white flowers, and vanilla. The palate is light and delicate, exhibiting a backbone of caramel and vanilla complemented by white flower notes. The finish is short but intense, with lingering hints of vanilla and subtle floral notes.

Four other finalists were in the Reposado category. Volcan De Mi Tierra XA, 38% ABV, 750 ml. The US expression is bottled at 40% ABV, and the Mexican market version is 38%.

The LAWSC Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring:

An elegant, aromatic nose with grassy notes, sawdust, and a touch of green pepper and serrano, balanced by hints of toasted barrel, black pepper, vanilla, and toffee, creating a complex and refined profile.

Ollitas Tequila, Reposado Tequila 40% ABV, 750 ml was described by the Judging Panel as featuring:

An expressive, aromatic nose with hints of brown sugar, cooked agave, vanilla, and cinnamon, leading to a balanced and complex palate with creamy, herbaceous notes, complemented by allspice, chocolate, tobacco, and a well-spiced oak presence, finishing with a smooth and satisfying aftertaste.

Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila Reposado, 40% ABV, 750 ml, presented a very different profile from the Volcan XA expression. The Judging Panel described the Reposado as expressing:

A smooth mouthfeel with mellow, slightly spiced notes of green agave, earthy wet stone, and black pepper, while hints of caramel, cooked agave, honey, tobacco, and cherry add complexity, rounded out by a subtle oak finish.

Finally, Tres Generaciones La Colonial Reposado Tequila Legacy Edition, 45% ABV, 750 ml, was described by the Judging Panel as showing:

A well-balanced blend of wood and agave, with rich caramel and peppery notes, culminating in a smooth, satisfying finish.

The inaugural Latin American World Spirits Competition highlighted an outstanding set of Blanco and Reposado Tequilas. Although the major Tequila producers swept most of the Best-in-Class winners, the finalists featured a range of less-known Tequila producers. Many of these brands are available in the US, even if not widely distributed. If you are an enthusiast of Tequila, they are worth seeking. All of them are outstanding.

See the Tasting Alliance web site for a detailed listing of all of the medalists. See also, The World’s Best Tequila from the NY World Spirits Competition.

Salud