Affordable Tequila - 100% Agave

[MichaelG]

I'm really getting into tequila and starting to drink a lot, and prefer blanco to reposado. Can someone recommend a good 100% agave tequila (preferably blanco but not necessarily) in the $20-35 range? Thanks.

[streetgourmetla]

I just picked up Dos Manos reposado at Wine and Liqour Depot for $18, and was in TJ yesterday and grabbed a Bracero anejo for $25.Both are 100% agave and I'm enjoying them very much, especially the Bracero.

[vino5150]

If you can find it....Cesaer Monterey...great value! My distributor in CT is all out, but I am not sure of the status elsewhere in the country.

[Budget Palate]

El Jimador. I used to get the blanco, it's good. I think the price is still within that range.

[AlbertaHound]

Actually, El Jimador is a non-100% agave "mixto" tequila made by Herradura. If you can spend the few extra bucks, and as long as you're not mixing it with too much junk, you should probably spring for the Herradura.

[Alcachofa]

If anyone reading this is near Cow Hampshire, the state stores are selling Herradura Blanco for $27, and Don Eduardo for $37. Good deals, both. Some other stuff on sale two, but those caught my eye.

[fussycouple]

I avoided drinking Cabo Wabo for a couple years, but was finally persuaded to try it and found that I enjoy it. It is one of three tequilas that I keep in my bar, and the NC ABC stores have it at a decent price.

[TroyTempest]

First a disclaimer. I'm not a big tequila drinker. I like it ok, but it is not near the top of my favorite spirits.
The guy at mt local liquor store showed me some Puerto Vallarta once. I was just looking for something to put in blender Margaritas. I was going to get something other than 100% agave. I think this was the cheapest 100% agave they had, and for what we used it for, it did ok.

[Unplugged]

The guy at my local store recommended Dos Manos (over patron no less) which runs about 20 dollars for a 750

[AlbertaHound]

Has anyone tried Cabo Wabo? I saw it on sale for $35. I'm tempted, but the whole Sammy Hagar thing turns me off...

[vinosnob]

Don't be scared. He actually takes the enterprise very seriously i.e. it's produced in a traditional method and is made from only the blue weber agave plant; I've had the anejo mostly (as a "sipper") and it's great for that style, but I'm sure the others are good too.

[Alcachofa]

I wouldn't buy Cabo Wabo for $50, but for $35 I'd jump on it.

[MIKELOCK34]

We enjoy Cabo Wabo too. The blanco is $35.00 to $38.00 in the grocery stores here.

[Alcachofa]

Yes, I have since seen Cabo more in that price range. I think it used to be more, but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me. So now allow me to amend my post:

I might consider buying Cabo Wabo for $35, but for $25 I'd jump on it.

:o)

[MIKELOCK34]

Cabo came into our market at $55.00 in grocery stores. The price did indeed drop a few months later.

[roundfigure]

Trader Joe's has begun stocking a Joe's brand 100% agave reposado called Distinqt which sells for $20 per 750 ml. I posted here a couple weeks ago asking for opinions on it and got no responses, so maybe it's not widely available. Anyway, just today I finally picked up a bottle to try out myself. I'm nothing close to a tequila expert, but I found it to be quite respectable, and a very good option for the price. I thought it was pretty mild on the oak (at least compared with the Cazadores reposado I usually have on hand), which may appeal to you as someone who prefers blanco. So it might be worth a try, especially considering that TJ's claims that you can return anything that you don't like (although I've never personally tested that policy re alcohol).

[vinosnob]

Herradura blanco
Sauza hornitos

[ted]

I'm not a huge tequila drinker, but I think the Cuervo Tradicional reposado is a great bargain. That's what I keep stocked for the occasional margarita.

[ac106]

Tradicional is a reposado though.

I would try Cazadores which is 100% agave and is under $30 for the blanco.

El Tesoro Chinaco and Don Julio would be at the upper limit of your budget but very good,

[MichaelG]

Great responses. Thank you!

[ted]

I read through the other current tequila thread, and was surprised that there were a few blanco/reposado suggestions that were comparable in price to the Cuervo. Definitely a couple that I will have to check out.

[ted]

Of course, then I looked some and found none of the reposados. Saw blanco Pueblo Viejo and picked up a bottle of Sauza hornitos reposado that I've yet to try.

[hungry_fox]

Go for the Don Julio, no question that it's the best

[MichaelG]

Funny, since my original posting, I've tried a lot of tequilas, and I think I like Don Julio the worst - at least among the blancos I've tasted. I've settled on blancos as my go-to type, for the in your face agave taste, and my favorites are Herradura, Don Eduardo and Cazadores. All have a sharp agave taste that hits you (in a good way) like a gentle slap in the face as a sign of affection from someone attractive. Don Julio, however, has a bit of a cloying caramel taste; it's too syrupy and not crisp like the others. Just my opinion, but "there's no question that it's the best" is pure hyperbole.

[hungry_fox]

Ah see I've never had the blanco I've always stuck to reposado; sorry I didn't specify that earlier and sorry I didn't fully read the OP that you're looking for Blanco, but yea I was discussing reposado, my fault.

[MichaelG]

No problem, but now you've got me wondering what the DJ reposado tastes like. I'll add it to my pipeline of tequilas to buy and drink!