The Top 5 Tequilas You Should Be Drinking During Cinco de Mayo
Hey Vato, you there!! Lower that shot glass and PLEASE…. step away from the Patron.
It’s May and you know what that means, cinco de drinko! We kick off the month consuming vast amounts of tequila during this festive holiday like its going out of style. In fact, tequila is not going out of style at all. Our appetite for tasty crafted cocktails containing this slightly exotic but familiar spirit is going up and so are the number of fine tequilas available these days. It’s really hard for the average Jose to navigate through them all, possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you want to have a raging hangover the next day. I know that everyone thinks that Patron is where its at, but with all those other tequilas out there, aren’t you at least a little bit curious to try them? I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 tequilas that you should be drinking during Cinco de Mayo or heck, anytime.
1.) 901 Tequila .jpeg)
Someone really should have thought of this forever ago. A tall bottle of tequila that bartenders can actually pour from, instead of manhandling awkwardly like the round short bottles in which tequila normally resides. The bottle actually looks more like a vodka bottle. The tequila itself has a nice fruit and slightly sweet flavor right off the bat and then a rich agave flavor with a spicy finish, a great complexity for a simple package. Overall delicious, sleek and sexy just like its proprietor Justin Timberlake. www.901.com
2) Don Julio .jpeg)
Quite simply a delightful tequila. The blanco has excellent flavor and balance with easy drinking citrus flavors so you don’t even need to chase it with a lime. It has quality and consistency in its flavor. You and you can check out a cool video about how its made here www.donjulio.com/craft.aspx
3) Paqui 
Paqui has just recently come on board with the plethora of luxury tequilas. Paqui means “ to be happy” and by drinking Paqui that is easily achieved. Sweet agave flavors make this tequila smooth and rich, all very good for sipping or enjoying on the rocks. The notes of carmel and cinnamon in the anejo and reposado make this a stand out tequila.www.paquitequila.com
4) Deleon 
You’d be hard pressed to find this one, so if you do find it, go for the whole bottle. It’s production is limited, so enjoy it if you can. Remarkably smooth and delicious, this is a rock-and-roll tequila, edgy yet sophisticated. Even the bottle is handcrafted.www.deleontequila.com
5) Dos Lunas
Really consistent and easy drinking, the blanco is soft and balanced with just the perfect amount of citrus and a silky mouth feel. That’s what makes it so easy to drink! The reposado has some sweet and spicy notes that express the time it has been rested in the barre.www.doslunas.com
While these are my top 5 picks, I am by no means bashing Patron. I have been known to enjoy a little patron here and there. However, my objective is for my readers and lovers of cocktail culture to open themselves up for some great experiences with some really fantastic tequilas. Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo and I hope that your tequila decisions will go further than just this once a year holiday.
In case you need some help navigating through the LA tequila scene, here are my top picks for great tequilas, or at least a great tequila cocktail.
1) Rivera
Rivera is downtown and has some amazing cocktails designed by mixologist Julian Cox. This bar is stacked with tons of handcrafted, hard to find tequilas. The food is exquisite and, in my opinion, you will not find better tequila cocktails anywhere else in town.
www.riverarestaurant.com
2) The Tequila Room at East/West in West Hollywood
This small room is tucked in the back, behind the lounge. I don’t even think that locals know it is there. It is a beautifully decorated lounge where they do tequila trainings and have a lovely range of new and palette pleasing tequilas. www.eastwestlounge.com
3) Malo
A little Mexican restaurant in Silverlake with good food, good drinks and dollar taco nights! What more can I say?
www.malorestaurant.com
4) Mission Cantina
The mission cantina on sunset is a small, inviting cantina. It’s décor looks like it was plucked from a small hacienda in Tamaulipas. Fresh ingredients are key to the menu and the mean margaritas. And of course, they also have a dollar taco night.
www.themissioncantina.com
5) L’ Scorpion
A small little cantina tucked away in Hollywood, it is simplistic and to the point. A small menu of Mexican favorites and a gorgeous display of tequilas and mezcals for your viewing and tasting pleasure make this an enticing tasting room. www.scorpionhollywood.com
Its hard to miss the immense amount of Mexican influence everyday in Los Angeles and what better day to celebrate it! Remember to drink responsibly and salud!!
Comments
Love DeLeon. Still waiting for it to make its way to NYC.
they are almost contract tequilas please do your homework a triple distilled tequila that taste like pure alcohol brings the sexy back?
de leon only known in LA and the owners home
dos lunas = tequilas del senor at a1/4 of the price
no more contract tequilas
you should of ask for help to the tequila examiner
Hey Vato, unfortunately this is a list of the most hyped & marketed Tequilas in the LA area. With over 1200 Tequila Brands out there on the shelves, I know it's difficult to make a short list. But how about a list of the great tasting unknown brands in LA like Corrido, CAPAZ, Abandonado, Inocente, 1519, Teteo, Tequila 55, Bracero and of course many others.
For those interested in learning more about Tequila, you can find our TequilaRack.com training modules under resources on our website.
Viva Tequila ! - Z
Thanks for your input guys! I welcome any links and or suggestions you have, also I will continue to be on the look out for more tastings and hype that go along in this category.
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