We’ve already reviewed the basics of tequila, including the five different types. Now we’re moving on to the tequila bottles you might want to experiment with.

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Like Scotch and bourbon, there is a spectrum of choices at your fingertips.

To help you swim through the sea of choices, I will throw out some suggestions that range from entry-level tequila to serious sipping tequila.

These options all differ based on wants, needs and consumption habits. You can take them with a grain of salt if you choose (pun absolutely intended).

Without further ado, here are six tequila bottles you should consider.

Tequila Bottles — OLMECA ALTOS TEQUILA PLATA

Olmeca Altos tequila is a great option for those on a budget. It is light and dry and makes a great base for margaritas and other cocktails. For those who are fans of neat or on ince, it is also a decent option.

Tequila Bottles — PATRON SILVER

Patron has become a staple in bars and is readily available in your local liquor stores and even megamarts. It moves up the price scale a bit but is a good option for tequila with a smoother taste. Like the Olmeca Altos, it is a great base for cocktails, but more and more people are drinking it neat.

Tequila Bottles — DON JULIO REPOSADO

Aged for eight months in American white-oak barrels, Don Julio Reposado tequila is golden amber in color and offers a rich, smooth finish. It has a mellow, elegant flavor and brings us into tequilas more suited for sipping.

Tequila Bottles — AVION’S RESERVA 44 EXTRA ANEJO

Moving up the smooth factor, we look at Avión’s Reserva 44 Extra Añejo, or “extra old.”

This is a spectacular tequila meant to be sipped and savored. After filtration, the tequila is placed in oak barrels for 44 months—43 of those are spent in traditional oak barrels, and the final month is spent in “petite” oak barrels that are rotated daily. This unique finishing process imparts even more character into the tequila, and as a result, it has a deep aroma of roasted agave along with scents of vanilla and light citrus, particularly lemon zest. The nose gives way to flavors of dried fruits, cinnamon and eucalyptus on the palate that leads to an extremely long and rich finish. Avión hand-numbers each bottle of Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo tequila is. Avión’s founder also signs it. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Yes.

Tequila Bottles — GRAN PATRON PIEDRA

Patron makes this very-high-end tequila using the old-school method. They go back and use the traditional process of slowly crushing the agave with a stone wheel. The resulting juice is fermented and distilled along with crushed agave fiber. They then distill and age it in American and French oak barrels for a minimum of three years. The result is a silky-smooth tequila that embodies everything a high-end drink should have.

Tequila Bottles — HIJOS DE VILLA REPOSADO TEQUILA PISTOL

OK, I need to add one more tequila to the mix. The main reason for this is simply audacity and guile. While some tequila makers spend a significant amount of money on packaging, there is one that has gone hardcore. This is a limited-edition tequila made to honor the Villanueva Barragan family, owners of Licores Veracruz, and their actions during the Mexican Revolution. More than a gimmick, Hijos de Villa ages the tequila for two months in oak casks, producing a nice, smooth drink. The pistol bottle is simply a cool factor and a reminder of the machismo found in Mexican culture.

This article is from the summer 2018 issue of Ballistic Magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com.