These Are the 19 Best Tequilas in the World, According to the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition has convened for its 25th year to sort the wheat from the chaff within the liquor market.

Nearly 60 judges gathered in the Golden State to taste their way through thousands of the industry’s rising stars and familiar favorites. From bourbon whiskey to ready-to-drink cocktails, just about every category imaginable made an appearance. Think of it like the Oscars — except instead of Best Picture, there’s Best Japanese Whisky, Best Mezcal, Best Extra-Aged Rum and all the many, many subgenres contained therein.

But which tequilas emerged victorious in what many consider the largest and most prestigious awards show of its kind?

SFWSC judges award spirits Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Above Gold sits Double Gold, given to spirits that are unanimously awarded a Gold Medal by every member of the panel. Beyond that lies an even smaller roster of Best in Class Finalists, one of which will be crowned Best In Show at the San Francisco Top Shelf Gala in November.

It’s worth noting that awardees are not limited to recent releases. SFWSC doesn’t imagine itself as a “best of year” competition, but rather a “best in industry.” As such, there are a handful of bottles you may already be familiar with if you’ve checked out past award shows. Judges have consistently shown a fondness for El Tesoro, Cierto, Don Fulano and Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones — and 2025 was no exception.

By and large, most of the tequilas found on this year’s list have been around for a good while. The sole exception was Mijenta’s Symphony Series No. 2, a reposado aged in a bespoke mix of Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Virginia oak that debuted last March. We too found a lot to like in this expression when we tried it at launch. It had an intriguing mix of barrel influences rarely found side by side in a tequila and a pleasantly high 45% ABV that did wonders for the mouthfeel. Be sure to keep an eye out for a review in weeks to come.

Without further ado, here are the 19 tequilas that have a shot at the Best In Show award arriving in a few months. The categories have been whittled down to Best Blanco, Best Reposado, Best Añejo and Best Extra Añejo.

Best Blanco Tequila

(Photos: San Francisco World Spirits Competition)

Aguasol Tequila Blanco (40% ABV) – $40

Cutwater Blanco Tequila (40% ABV) – $33

Sesión Tequila Blanco (40% ABV) – $42

Don Vicente Fuerte Blanco (54% ABV) – $80

Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco (40% ABV) -$49

Best Reposado Tequila

Don Fulano Reposado (40% ABV) – $65

Tequila Ocasión Reposado (40% ABV) – $46

Aguasol Tequila Reposado (40% ABV) – $45

Don Roberto Double Cask Reposado Tequila (40% ABV) – 40% ABV

Mijenta Symphony Series No. 2 Reposado Tequila (45% ABV) – $85

Best Añejo Tequila

Cierto Tequila Private Collection Añejo (40% ABV) – $169

Hotel California Añejo (40% ABV) – $64

Pantalones Organic Tequila Añejo (40% ABV) – $50

Tequila De La Gente Añejo (40% ABV) – $90

Best Extra Añejo Tequila

Cierto Tequila Reserve Collection Extra Añejo (40% ABV) – $389

Don Julio Ultima Reserva Extra Añejo (40% ABV) – $500

El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila (40% ABV) – $150

1800 Milenio Extra Añejo (40% ABV) – $225

Don Fulano Imperial Extra Añejo (40% ABV) – $220