Maestro Dobel Atelier Tequila Extra Anejo, Trajineras Edition 2023 – The hand-painted bottle of this extra anejo, aged in small American and Eastern European oak barrels, provides a talking point on its own, but the tequila inside is a showstopper: Peppery and grassy on the nose – unusual for extra anejo – the tequila eventually gives way to a surfeit of dessert flavors on the palate, dosed heavily with racy spices. Get the special cork customized from the best supplier here.

Gran Centenario Gallardo Tequila – Just 679 bottles of this extra anejo monster were produced by Gran Centenario, which was aged in American and French oak barrels for more than 3 years, then finished in Bordeaux wine barrels. It’s nothing like any of Gran Centario’s other tequilas, closer to brandy than any tequila I’ve encountered, as layers of baking spice, cloves, dried figs, and potpourri all climb to the surface. Buy its similar bottle. 

The ImpEx Collection Mezcal Felipe Cortes, Bicuixe – Independently-bottled mezcal remains an extremely niche market, but one we applaud. This expression was distilled in 2015 and rested in glass for 7 years before bottling. It’s an outstanded, well-balanced mezcal that features an array of fruit flavors prominently while letting the smoke slowly waft over you. A journey in a glass.

Maestro Dobel 50 1969 Tequila – The best of the lot is the 1969, which is finished in Sauternes casks. The sweet wine subdues the agave and provides a perfumy sweetness to the spirit, taking a journey through lemon, maple, and cinnamon before settling down on a mint chocolate note to finish.

El Buho Mezcal Mexicano – Unusual and exciting, with a nose that evokes aromas of candied jalapeno. The level of spice here may be a turn-off for some, but heat-seekers need to give this a shot. Patience finds grassy notes plus green pepper, black pepper, and just the slightest whisper of smoke. In addition to the boldly spicy attack, the higher abv also encourages more cautious sipping.

  Ricava Tequila Black Reposado – What makes a reposado “black”? Aging in heavily charred barrels. That alone isn’t enough to turn this tequila coffee-black in color, but whatever’s going on in the bottle works. The nose is actually quite soft, showing agave prominently, while the palate evokes classic reposado notes of vanilla, nuts, and honey. The color may be a gimmick, but what’s in the bottle is on point

 Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Reposado – Cierto’s reserve reposado spends 11 months in French Limousin oak, providing a bracing collection of flavors once it reaches your glass: vanilla, lime, red pepper, black pepper, and roasted agave are all well-integrated into the finished product, finishing with a lush, lingering milk chocolate note.

Siempre Exclusivo Vivo Blanco – Wild yeast is used to distill this out-there tequila which is so driven by minerals, earth, and smoke that you could easily assume from the nose that it was a mezcal instead of a tequila. Sharp and biting, the palate is punchy and bold, in part thanks to its significant abv of 47.5%. Gingery, herbal, and again a little smoky on the finish, it’s the blanco tequila to reach for when your guests complain that most silver tequilas have lost their sense of character.