The World’s Best Tequila And Mezcal According To The IWSC

The International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) has awarded the 2024 Tequila Trophy to 1800 Milenio Extra Añejo Tequila. The 2024 Mezcal Trophy was awarded to Pensador Espadín Artesanal Mezcal. Both agave spirits were judged the world’s best in their respective spirits category. The IWSC, the oldest spirits competition in the world, holds one of the largest yearly spirits judging and is arguably the most prestigious spirits competition worldwide.

Milenio Extra Añejo Tequila

1800 Tequila was introduced in 1975 by the Beckmann family, owners of Jose Cuervo. It’s named 1800 after the year Tequila was first aged in oak casks. The brand is one of the most recognized in the Tequila industry. Like other premium Tequila’s it’s made from 100% blue Weber agave, grown in the highlands and lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico.

The company is known for producing high-quality Tequilas, offering various expressions, from Silver and Reposado to Añejo and their ultra-premium Milenio Extra Añejo. The brand emphasizes craftsmanship and traditional production methods, including slow cooking the agave in stone ovens and using copper pot stills for distillation.

1800 Milenio Extra Añejo is the ultra-premium expression of the 1800 line. It is aged for a minimum of three years in American and French oak barrels, followed by a short finish in French oak Cognac barrels, which adds complexity and elegance to the Tequila.

The Tequila offers distinctive aromas of dried orchard and stone fruits, roasted agave, and hints of vanilla on the nose. The aging in French oak barrels contributes subtle notes of butterscotch, oak, and spice.

The Tequila is rich and velvety on the palate, with a pronounced mouth weight and a creamy, oily viscosity. It features flavors of caramel, toffee, and sweet dried fruit notes of apple, fig, and apricot. A complex array of spices—nutmeg, cinnamon, and a touch of white pepper—is balanced by creamy vanilla and chocolate undertones.

The finish is long, smooth, and slightly dry, with lingering notes of toasted oak, agave sweetness, and a hint of warm spice.

The IWSC Judging Panel described the Extra Añejo Tequila as featuring:

Luscious stone fruit and red apple aromas lead to a harmonious blend of alcohol and sweetness on the palate. A delightfully deep mouthfeel with a lingering spice-driven finish.

1800 Milenio is regarded as a sophisticated Tequila, ideal for sipping neat, and highlights the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality in Tequila production.

Pensador Espadín Artesanal Mezcal

Pensador Espadín Artesanal Mezcal is a small batch mezcal produced in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The brand is dedicated to crafting artisanal mezcal using traditional methods. The mezcal is made from the Espadín agave, which is one of the most commonly used agave varieties in mezcal production due to its high sugar content and the relatively shorter time it takes to mature; typically, about 7 to 9 years.

The mezcal is produced in a traditional, handcrafted manner in a family-run palenque (distillery) in the Oaxacan highlands.

On the nose, Pensador Espadín Mezcal presents a typical mezcal profile of smokiness and fresh green agave notes, accompanied by subtle hints of tropical fruits like pineapple and citrus zest. There is also a mild earthiness and floral undertone that enhances the complexity.

On the palate the mezcal is both smooth and robust. The flavor profile offers a pronounced burst of citrus followed by sweet, roasted agave flavors. The smoky notes are prominent but not overwhelming, providing a good balance between the natural sweetness of the agave and the flavors from the roasting process. There are also the herbal and peppery elements, typical of mezcal and adding complexity to the sip.

The finish is long and smooth, with lingering smoke, mild pepper spice, and a slightly mineral aftertaste. The natural sweetness of the agave shines through as the smoke fades.

Pensador Espadín is appreciated for its artisanal quality, delivering an authentic mezcal experience that balances the smoky and sweet flavors characteristic of the Espadín agave. It can be enjoyed neat, allowing its complexity to shine, or as part of mezcal-based cocktails.