Are high-proof tequilas worth the higher price tag? That’s a question you might’ve asked yourself while scanning the tequila shelf wherever you pick up your alcohol. It’s a fair question, too — a vast majority of tequila on the market sits at 80 proof (40% ABV) so if you like tequila, it’s safe to assume you’re fine drinking 80 proof liquids. But still, when you find a brand that you love and then come across that high-proof version on the shelf, it can be pretty tempting.

High proof tequilas have this depth and intensity of flavor that takes your palate on a journey. They hit you harder, dialing up the intensity of the nose, palate, and finish experience. Imagine your favorite tequila but with more of everything that makes you love it.

That’s what the best high-proof tequila tastes like. So, as you might’ve gathered, I do think the higher price tag is generally worth it — especially if you’re dealing with a bottle by a brand you already like. And to help you find the best of the best and get the most bang for your buck, we’re putting high-proof bottles to the blind taste test.

For this blind taste test, I gathered every bottle of high-proof tequila I had on hand, and then had my girlfriend select eight of those bottles at random. So I’m going into this blind taste test without even knowing which brands I’ll be tasting. We call that double-blind in these parts! I tried a pour of each in an unmarked glass in random order and recorded my initial impressions. I was sufficiently tossed by the end of this blind taste test.

Make no mistake, each bottle in this blind taste test is one we enjoy, but there is a definite and noticeable hierarchy. So if you’re only interested in the best, skip to our top three, but considering each bottle offers something interesting, it’s worth checking out the full list and the corresponding tasting notes. Let’s drink!

2. Alto Canto — High Proof Blanco (Taste 5)

ABV: 48%
Price: $89.99

The Tequila:

This is my very first taste of Alto Canto and I have to say, I’m thoroughly impressed. This high-proof blanco is a bit tamer than the rest of the bottles in this blind taste test at just 48% ABV, but the flavor offers a lot to latch onto.

The tequila is produced at NOM 1636, Tequila El Rocio, where it is the only brand in production. The agave is cooked in stone ovens, tahona extracted, mixed with natural spring water, fermented in wood tanks, and twice distilled via a copper pot. It is then bottled at the still.

Like every other brand in this ranking, it is certified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker.

The Bottom Line:

Smooth and buttery with a gentle heat. There is a delicate vibe here that other high-proof bottles fail to achieve. A true pleasure to sip.

Read more: https://uproxx.com/life/best-high-proof-tequilas-bottles-ranked-blind-taste-tested/