Chilled Awards Select: Top 7 Tequilas

The Chilled Awards are judged monthly, highlighting the spirits that are actually performing behind the bar right now.

The Chilled Awards Select calls out the bottles that stood out this month, earning top marks from our bartender judging panel. Here’s what they were saying and why these tequilas made the cut. For deeper insights, visit the Chilled Guide , where every brand that enters receives detailed feedback, scoring, and industry visibility.

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The Top 7 Tequilas

Tequila Corralejo Silver

Platinum

A mixable blanco fit for volume cocktails. Bright agave, citrus, and a little pepper give it just enough lift. Would be ideal for Margaritas, Palomas, and fruit-forward builds—this is the kind of tequila that plays well without overpowering.

Código 1530 Blanco Tequila

Double Gold Winner

Clean and additive-free, built for agave purists. Bold cooked agave, citrus, and black pepper come through with a structured finish. Best used where the base spirit matters, whether served neat, with a lime, or in elevated, minimal cocktails.

Tanteo Tequila

Double Gold

A bartender-friendly tequila that brings extra flavor while keeping its agave backbone intact. Built for creativity, it works well in spicy Margaritas, infused builds, and cocktails designed to stand out on a menu.

Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila

Double Gold

Spicy and savory with real jalapeño heat and fresh vegetal notes. Focused and not overly sweet. A go-to for Spicy Margaritas and Bloody Marias, adding heat without extra prep behind the bar.

Avión Reposado

Double Gold

Soft oak, vanilla, and cooked agave give it an easy, rounded profile with just enough depth. Works well in upgraded classics like a Reposado Margarita or Tequila Old Fashioned and also holds up as a casual sipper.

Avión Silver

Double Gold

Clean, crisp, and polished with bright agave and citrus. Smooth from the first sip. A reliable option for high-volume Margaritas and simple builds where consistency and balance are key.

Espero Tequila

Gold Winner

Balanced and approachable, hitting the sweet spot between smoothness and character. Easygoing but not boring. Versatile enough for house Margaritas, Ranch Waters, and simple highballs.

 

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The Chilled Awards

Now in its fourth year, the Chilled Awards from Chilled Media, a trusted industry resource for over 20 years, continue to spotlight what actually works behind the bar. Judged by working bartenders, entries are tested, discussed, and scored based on real-world performance in the glass.