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Tequila reposado vs anejo: what’s the difference? When to use each type of this agave-based liquor? Here’s everything you need to know.

Types of tequila: resposado vs anejo
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What’s the difference between the types of tequila? Blanco vs reposado vs anejo are all the same liquor, but surprisingly they have very different flavors. When to buy one versus the other? Can you substitute blanco for reposado, or anejo for reposado? As cocktail experts and certified mixologists, we’ve come to appreciate so much about this agave-based liquor. Here’s what to know when you’re shopping for tequila, and a few popular cocktails that use them!

Types of tequila: blanco vs reposado vs anejo

Tequila is a Mexican distilled spirit made from a specific type of agave: the blue agave plant, or agave tequiliana. Mezcal is the category of spirit made from any variety of agave, so tequila is a type of mezcal. There are five main types of tequila, each with their own particular flavor notes.

  1. Tequila blanco, aka silver tequila:  Tequila blanco has not been aged. The flavor is agave forward, with notes of pepper and citrus with a spicy finish.
  2. Tequila reposado is aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels (reposado means “rested” in Spanish). It has a smooth flavor and notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel.
  3. Tequila añejo is aged 1 to 4 years in oak barrels (añejo means “old” or “vintage” in Spanish). It tastes richer, with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Añejo shines when drunk straight and on the rocks, so you can taste the nuances of its character. Tequila aged over 3 years may be labeled “Extra añejo.”
  4. Tequila joven is a mix of unaged and aged tequila. It tastes similar to tequila blanco, with hints of vanilla and spices on the finish.
  5. Tequila cristalino is tequila añejo that’s filtered to remove tannins, which creates a crystal clear color. The flavor has both the complexity of aged tequila and the bright notes of a tequila blanco.

When to use tequila blanco vs reposado vs anejo

What’s the right time to use blanco instead of tequila resposado vs anejo? Which works in cocktails, and which is better sipping neat?

Types of tequila brands

What to look for when buying a good bottle of tequila? Rule of thumb: look for a mid-priced tequila of any age: price does indicate quality! When you’re shopping for tequila, look for 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35. Anything cheaper isn’t worth buying. Here are a few types of tequila brands that we recommend:

  1. Espolon Blanco: inexpensive tequila blanco
  2. El Tesoro Blanco: mid-priced tequila blanco
  3. Patrón Silver: mid-priced tequila blanco
  4. Casamigos: mid-range tequila blanco and reposado
  5. Milagro Reposado: mid-priced tequila reposado
  6. Suerte Reposado: mid-priced tequila reposado

What are your favorite types of tequila? Let us know in the comments below.

Got a bottle of tequila reposado or blanco and want to add it to a cocktail? Here are the top most popular tequila cocktails to use it:

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Margarita with Tequila Reposado

Margarita
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5 from 1 review

Here’s the absolute best simple margarita recipe! Serve this drink on the rocks with the classic ingredients: lime, Cointreau and tequila reposado.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) tequila reposado
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cointreau
  • ¾ ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) fresh lime juice
  • Kosher salt or flaky sea salt, for the rim
  • For the garnish: Lime wedge

Instructions

  1. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt (or for a festive look, use our Margarita Salt).
  2. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
  3. Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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7 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    You wanted to know my favorite tequila. It’s Corazon anejo. Didn’t like tequila at all until I tried this one. . . My pallet was immediately changed.

  2. Lou says:

    Love the article above, educational and would love a hard copy if possible to to keep handy by the house bar. I feel I’ve been introduced to a whole new way to enjoy tequila. Thanks.

  3. Jim W says:

    So what’s the 5th??
    5 different types but you only mentioned 4!

    1. Sonja Overhiser says:

      Good catch; we’ve updated the post!

  4. peter kocal says:

    Anybody who writes about tequila and doesn’t mention the inferiority of 50% agave brands is not doing anybody a favour; not to the drinkers nor to real tequila itself (made with100% agave).

    1. AGAVEBOY says:

      I agree @Peter Kocal. Also, it’s incorrect that an Anejo Tequila is aged up to 4 years.

      An Extra Anejo must be aged for 36 months (3 years) or older according to the CRT.

      To help clarify, an Extra Anejo (ultra aged Tequila) is aged 3 years or more (5, 7, 10 years aged etc…).

      Tequila Anejo (extra aged Tequila) is 1 year up to 35 months.

      Tequila Reposado (aged Tequila) is 2-12 months.

      1. Mike R PainterI'm says:

        Corralejo reposoda is our favorite Tequila. Excellent sipping and great when blended. Somewhat surprised it receives so little mention.