The World’s Best Tequila—According To The Ultimate Spirits Challenge

Every year since 2010, the Ultimate Spirits Challenge has convened in the suburbs of New York to judge the best of the best across all categories of liquor. And for the eleventh consecutive year, the competition fielded more entries than ever before. Unlike other judgings—typically held over several days—this one is spread out over a full two months. During that time an exhaustive sampling regimen winnows down thousands of liquids into just 237 finalists, and 45 recipients of the highest honor: the Chairman’s Trophy.

When it comes to tequila, specifically, only four bottles took home that top-tier prize. It was awarded to one in each of the primary marks for 100% agave spirit: blanco (unaged, or rested for up to 60 days, also known as ‘silver’ or ‘plata’); reposado (aged between 60 days and a year); añejo (aged between 1-3 years); extra añejo (’XA’ for short, aged more than 3 years).

Tequila Ocho secured the Chairman’s Trophy for its unaged Plata. The bottling notched an impressive 96 points out of a possible 100—higher than all other tequilas regardless of category. Judges were taken aback by the liquid’s refined elements of slate, citrus and pepper.

It’s hard to argue with their evaluation. Anyone who’s had the good fortune to sample it is likely comment on its crisp, clean body. It delivers alternating threads of tropical fruit and earthy minerality through each sip. This is owed to the fastidious craftsmanship of its maker, third generation master Carlos Camarena. Responsible for some of the most acclaimed brands in all of Jalisco, he’s pretty much royalty in this part of Mexico.

On the opposite end of the aging spectrum, Avion netted the top prize for its extra añejo. As the name suggests, Reserva 44 matures for a full 44 months in oak barrels. The vast majority of that time is spent in traditional 53-gallon wooden vessels. But in the final month the liquid is transferred to ‘petite’ casks, which are rotated daily. It’s a labor intensive process, but one that punctuates the XA with alluring aromas of vanilla and coconut. On the palate judges made note of ‘milk chocolate’ and ‘sweetgrass’, before ‘asparagus’ and black pepper took hold in its protracted finish.

Sadly for American drinkers, the winners in two of the categories are currently unavailable on US shelves. So we won’t dwell too long on the 818 Añejo, nor the Storywood Speyside—matured for seven months in oak that formerly carried single malt scotch—except to say that we certainly hope these masterful products make their way here soon.

In the meantime, there’s plenty of Ocho and Avion to keep stateside connoisseurs satisfied. The former retails its award-winning Plata for $50. The latter slings its Reserva 44 for $90.

“This year’s USC was the most international, with a dazzling array of quality distillates from as far away as Indonesia, India, and Iceland,” according to UBC Founder and Judging Director F. Paul Pacult. “Virtually all categories saw substantial gains in submissions, in particular, American whiskey, Ready-to-Drink cocktails, gin, and all brandy categories.

You can view the complete results here.