11 Dark Tequilas to Try in 2023: Experts' Selection

Tequila lovers, rejoice! 2023 is upon us, and it's time to discover the best dark tequilas to try this year. 

Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a casual drinker, there's no denying that dark tequilas is a unique and delicious spirit that deserves a place in your liquor cabinet.

But with so many tequila brands and varieties on the market, how do you know which ones are worth your time and money? Don't worry; we've got you covered. 

We've scoured the tequila world and consulted with experts to bring you a list of the top-rated dark tequilas brands for 2023. Let's dive in!

 

What are Dark Tequilas?

Before we jump into the top-rated brands, let's define what dark tequilas are and how they differ from other types of tequila. Dark tequilas are typically aged longer than other tequila types, giving them a darker color and a more complex flavor profile.

They're often aged in oak barrels. It adds hints of vanilla, caramel, and spice to the tequila's natural agave flavor.

Dark tequila is not a specific type of tequila but rather a term used to describe aged tequilas. There are three main types of tequila: blanco, reposado, and añejo. Blanco tequila is unaged and has a clear, transparent appearance.

Reposado tequila is aged for a minimum of two months but less than a year, while añejo tequila is aged for a minimum of one year but less than three years. Any tequila aged longer than three years is considered extra añejo.

 

How to Choose the Best Dark Tequilas

Look for High-quality Brands

The brand is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing dark tequilas. High-quality brands like Don Julio, Clase Azul, and El Tesoro are known for their exceptional taste and quality. 

These tequilas are typically made using 100% blue Weber agave plant and aged in oak barrels, resulting in complex flavors and aromas. It's worth investing in a top-quality tequila, as you can taste the difference in every sip.

Consider Your Budget:

While high-quality tequilas are often worth the price, they can also be quite expensive. It's important to consider your budget when choosing dark tequilas. 

If you're on a tight budget, look for tequilas like Espolòn or El Mayor, which offer great value for their price. These tequilas may not have the same depth and complexity as more expensive brands, but they can still be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail.

Read Reviews

Before purchasing dark tequilas, reading reviews from other tequila enthusiasts is a good idea. Look for reviews that describe the tequila's flavor profile, aroma, and texture. This can help you better understand what to expect from the tequila and whether it will suit your taste preferences.

Consider Your Taste Preferences:

Everyone's taste buds are different, so it's important to consider your taste preferences when choosing dark tequilas. Do you prefer tequilas with a bold and spicy flavor profile or tequilas with a smoother, more subtle taste?

Are you a fan of aged whiskey, which can have similar flavor notes to aged tequila? If so, consider trying a reposado or añejo tequila, aged in oak barrels and may offer identical flavor profiles to aged whiskey.

 

Top Dark Tequila Brands in 2023

Now, without further ado, let's get to the good stuff. According to experts, here are the top-rated dark tequila brands for 2023:

1. Don Julio 1942
2. Clase Azul Reposado
3. El Tesoro Paradiso
4. Fortaleza Añejo
5. Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo
6.  Tequila Ocho Añejo
7. Chamucos Extra Añejo
8.  Espolòn Añejo Tequila
9. El Mayor Añejo Tequila
10. Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila
11. Casamigos Anejo

Let's take a closer look at each of these brands and what makes them stand out.

 

1. Don Julio 1942

Don Julio 1942 Añejo Tequila is a high-end tequila named after the year its founder, Don Julio Gonzalez, was born. It is known for its smooth and complex flavor. It's aged for at least two and a half years in American white oak barrels. 

The premium Añejo Tequila has a rich, golden color and notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak.  It is great for sipping neat or on the rocks and pairs well with chocolate, nuts, and strong cheeses.

 

2. Clase Azul Reposado

Clase Azul Reposado is an award-winning tequila aged at least eight months in oak barrels. It has a deep amber color and a smooth, velvety texture. It is a premium tequila with a unique blue and white handcrafted bottle

The flavor is complex, with vanilla, spice, and honey notes. It is a perfect sipping tequila but also works well in cocktails that require reposado tequila.

 

3. El TesoroExtra Añejo

 

El Tesoro extra añejo tequila is a premium tequila aged for at least five years in oak barrels. It has a deep mahogany color and a rich, complex flavor of vanilla, caramel, and spice. You can best enjoy it neat or on the rocks; it pairs well with dark chocolate and cigars.

 

4. Fortaleza Añejo

Fortaleza Añejo is an artisanal tequila aged 18 months in oak barrels. It has a rich, golden color and a full, fruity flavor with notes of caramel and vanilla. It is perfect for sipping or use in cocktails that call for an añejo tequila.

This tequila pairs well with rich, bold dishes like steak and chocolate desserts.

 

5. Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo

Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo is a premium tequila aged for at least three years in French white oak barrels. It has a deep amber color and a complex flavor with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and spice. It is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks and pairs well with grilled meats and spicy dishes.

 

6. Tequila Ocho Añejo

Tequila Ocho Añejo is a single-estate tequila aged for at least one year in American oak barrels. It has a golden color and a complex flavor with caramel, vanilla, and oak notes. This tequila is perfect for sipping or use in cocktails that call for an añejo tequila.

 

7. Chamucos Añejo

Chamucos Añejo is a dark tequila aged 18 months in American oak barrels. This tequila is made from 100% blue agave and distilled in small batches to ensure the purest form of the distilled spirit.

The result is a smooth, complex tequila with a dark amber color, rich aroma, and flavor profile featuring vanilla, caramel, and oak notes. Chamucos  Añejo is a sipping tequila best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

Not only is Chamucos Añejo an exceptional tequila, but the brand also has a unique story behind its creation. The name "Chamucos" is derived from a Mexican legend about a mischievous devil who would lead travelers astray in the desert.

The brand's founders, two Americans living in Mexico, chose the name as a tribute to Mexican folklore and the spirit of adventure.

 

8. Espolòn Añejo

Espolòn Añejo is a dark tequila. It is aged for at least 12 months in American oak barrels, giving it a rich, amber color and a complex flavor profile. It is made from 100% blue agave and is distilled in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico.

Espolòn Añejo is known for its smooth and balanced taste, with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes. It is a popular choice for sipping and commonly used in cocktails.

 

9. El Mayor Añejo Tequila

El Mayor Añejo Tequila is a smooth and flavorful tequila aged for a minimum of 18 months in small, charred white oak barrels. It has a complex flavor profile with oak, vanilla, and spices notes. It pairs perfectly with grilled meats, seafood, and spicy dishes.

El Mayor Añejo Tequila is a great dark tequila that is well-suited for sipping and enjoying on its own or in a classic tequila-based cocktail.

 

10. Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila

Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila is a premium tequila aged up to three years in American and French oak barrels. It has a rich and complex flavor profile with caramel, vanilla, and spices notes. 

The tequila pairs well with rich, bold dishes like steak and barbecue. Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo is a top-rated tequila by experts.

 

11. Casamigos Anejo

Casamigos Anejo is a dark tequila aged 14 months in American white oak barrels. It has a rich and complex flavor profile with caramel, vanilla, and oak notes. The longer aging period also gives it a dark amber color.

Casamigos Anejo is produced by Casamigos Tequila. Actor George Clooney and businessman Rande Gerber co-founded it. The brand has gained popularity recently and received numerous awards for its high-quality tequilas.

 

Comparing the Top 11 Dark Tequilas

The table below shows a simple comparison of the top 11 best tequilas:

Brand	Style	Age	Color	Taste Notes
Don Julio 1942	Añejo	2 years	Dark amber	Vanilla, caramel, toffee
Clase Azul Reposado	Reposado	8 months	Light amber	Vanilla, butterscotch, citrus
El Tesoro Paradiso	Extra Añejo	5 years	Dark amber	Chocolate, tobacco, leather
Fortaleza Añejo	Añejo	2-3 years	Dark amber	Cinnamon, vanilla, oak
Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo	Extra Añejo	3 years	Dark amber	Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, caramel
Tequila Ocho Añejo	Añejo	12 months	Light amber	Cinnamon, citrus, pepper
G4 Extra Añejo	Extra Añejo	3 years	Dark amber	Dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla
Pasote Añejo	Añejo	18 months	Light amber	Agave, caramel, oak
El Mayor Añejo Tequila	Añejo	18 months	Dark amber	Caramel, vanilla, oak
Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Añejo Tequila	Añejo	3 years	Dark amber	Caramel, vanilla, oak
Espolòn Añejo Tequila	Añejo	6 months	Light amber	Cinnamon, vanilla, oak

Dark Tequilas Cocktail Recipes

Some of the best dark tequila cocktails include:

 

Spicy Dark Tequila Margarita 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz agave nectar
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• Dash of hot sauce
• Salt, for rimming

Instructions:

1. Rim a glass with salt and fill it with ice.
2. Combine the tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, triple sec, and hot sauce in a shaker. Shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy!

Dark Tequila Old Fashioned

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark tequila
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• Dash of bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle the agave nectar and bitters in a rocks glass.
2. Add ice to the glass and pour in the tequila.
3. Stir well and garnish with an orange peel. Serve and enjoy!

Dark Tequila Sunrise 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark tequila
• 4 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz grenadine
• Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the tequila and orange juice.
2. Slowly pour the grenadine over the back of a spoon so that it settles at the bottom of the glass.
3. Garnish with an orange slice and serve. Enjoy!

Dark Tequila Hot Toddy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark tequila
• 1/2 oz honey
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 clove
• Hot water

Instructions:

1. In a mug, combine the tequila, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and clove.
2. Add hot water to the mug and stir well.
3. Let the mixture steep for a few minutes before removing the cinnamon stick and clove. Serve and enjoy!

Dark Tequila Spiced Cider 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark tequila
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 1 orange slice
• Whipped cream, for topping

Instructions:

1. Combine the tequila, apple cider, cinnamon stick, star anise, and orange slice in a saucepan.
2. Heat the mixture over low heat until it simmers.
3. Remove from heat and strain the mixture into a mug.
4. Top with whipped cream and garnish with an orange slice. Serve and enjoy!

 

How are Dark Tequilas Made?

Dark tequila is a premium spirit many love for its complex flavors and rich amber hue. But have you ever wondered how dark tequilas are made? Here's a brief overview of the process:

Harvesting and Cooking the Agave

The first step in making dark tequila is to harvest and cook the agave, a succulent plant native to Mexico. The agave's piñas, or hearts, are harvested and then slow-cooked in ovens or steam-heated to convert the starches into sugars.

Crushing and Fermenting the Agave

After cooking, the agave is crushed, and the juices are collected. The resulting juice is then fermented using yeast to convert the sugars into alcohol. This process can take a few days to several weeks, depending on the tequila being produced.

Distillation: Creating the Purest Form

Once the fermented agave juice, or mosto, is ready, it is distilled to separate the alcohol from the water and impurities. This process is typically done in copper pot stills, which give the tequila its distinctive flavor and aroma.

Aging: Creating the Dark Color

Some distilled spirits are aged in oak barrels to create the dark color and complex flavor characteristic of dark tequila. The tequila can be aged anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the desired flavor profile.

Different Styles of Tequila: Silver and Gold

There are two main styles of tequila: silver and gold. Silver tequila is clear and unaged, while gold tequila is aged in oak barrels and has a darker color and richer flavor.

100% Blue Agave: The Key Ingredient

For a tequila to be labeled as 100% blue agave, it must be made exclusively from the blue agave plant. This is the key ingredient that gives tequila its unique flavor and character.

Choosing the Aging Process: The Key to Flavor

The aging process plays a crucial role in the flavor of tequila. Different aging times and techniques can produce different flavors, from light and floral to dark and complex.

Blending and Bottling: Creating a Consistent Flavor

Once the tequila has been aged to perfection, it is blended to create a consistent flavor and bottled for sale. The blending process ensures that each bottle of tequila has the same taste and aroma as the next.

It's worth noting that not all tequilas are aged, and not all aged tequilas are dark. Some tequilas are aged in stainless steel tanks or for shorter periods, resulting in a lighter, more subtle flavor.

Making dark tequila is complex and time-intensive, requiring skill, patience, and attention to detail. But for tequila lovers, the result is well worth the effort.

 

Conclusion

There you have it, the top-rated dark tequila brands for 2023. Whether you're a tequila aficionado or a casual drinker, there's sure to be a brand on this list that will satisfy your taste buds.

Remember to choose high-quality brands, consider your budget, and read reviews before purchasing. Cheers to a year full of delicious and unforgettable tequila experiences!