Tequila is no longer relegated to just shots. Having evolved into a sophisticated drink enjoyed by connoisseurs around the world, it is now a contemplative choice. Hailing from Jalisco, Mexico, and made from blue Weber agave, the most celebrated tequilas now rival the finest whiskies and cognacs. “Tequilas are the purest expression of distilled spirits, where the agave retains its own flavour profile. This was what struck me during a conversation with Jay Khan of COA Hongkong, which showcases agave spirits at the forefront of Asia's cocktail scene,” says Vikram Achanta, co-founder and CEO of Tulleeho, while speaking to Robb Report India.
“The tequila craze is here to stay. It taps into a consumer's aspirational sentiment that is seeking sophistication. The packaging conveys luxury. Plus, it helps that some of Mexico’s bars rank among the world’s 50 best,” says Achanta, summing up the agave wave.
Here’s a curated selection of the world’s finest tequilas, many of which are prized by collectors due to the liquid, and the bottle design.
Patrón en Lalique Serie 3
This limited-edition release from Patrón is a blend of 14 different extra añejo tequilas, each aged up to eight years in French and American oak casks. The result is a bouquet of orange peel and fig on the nose, leading up to seductive notes of caramel, honey, and toasted almonds. Housed in a stunning Lalique crystal decanter, this one is a collector’s pride.
Price: USD 7,500 (approximately INR 6,56,120)
Clase Azul Ultra Añejo
Clase Azul Ultra is a silky-smooth liquid, aged for five years in sherry oak casks and showcased in a hand-painted decanter adorned with platinum and 24-karat gold. Expect notes of apricots, maple, toasted nuts, and a flourish of candied ginger finish. Endlessly lingering and warming.
Price: USD 2,000 (approximately INR 1,74,960)
Tequila Komos Extra Añejo
Komos is a newer name among luxury tequilas, and now it's in India, courtesy of Chason Beverages. Prasan Chawla, the brand's managing director, says, "Indian consumers are thinking global now. With a fair amount of disposable income, they want to do things that off the normal path. They are open to experiments. This liquid is found strategically at select restaurants to position [the tequila] as aspirational and rare.”
The Komos Extra Añejo, which is creamy and full-bodied, is aged in French oak, white wine barrels. It comes in a sleek, light blue ceramic bottle that looks more like an artefact.
Price: USD 500 (approximately INR 43,730)
Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo
From the renowned Cuervo family’s private reserves, this tequila is aged in French and American oak barrels for up to three years. The taste opens up a portal of layers—citrus, caramel and oak, balanced by a velvety mouthfeel. It is seductive and complex.
Price: USD 200 (approximately INR 17,500)
Don Julio 1942 Añejo
A cult favourite among celebrities, and served at select nightclubs and bars, this one is aged for over two years in American oak barrels. Hence, the pronounced flavours. Produced in small batches, this tequila pays a tribute to the year that Don Julio González began his tequila-making journey. Roasted agave, caramel make way for a warm spice finish. The bottle itself is tall, slender and reminiscent of an agave plant—very different from other Don Julio bottles which tend to be more ample.
“There is a lot of thought that goes into a tequila bottle. Some are so vintage and artsy. Even after the tequila is over, one feels like retaining the bottles. I use an old Don Julio bottle as a candle stand. The melted wax pouring down adds a touch of romance to the memories of that tequila,” says Fay Barretto, founder of Mr Bartender & The Crew, India's first LGBTQIA+ inclusive bartending company.
Price: USD 150 (approximately INR 13,120)
Fortaleza Añejo
Handcrafted using traditional methods, Fortaleza Añejo is beloved for its sweet and well-rounded finish. Notes are butterscotch and baking spices.
Price: USD 120 (approximately INR 10,500)
