Celebrate Day of the Dead 2024 With These 7 Spine-Tingling Tequila and Mezcal Picks

Ah, Day of the Dead. A cherished, centuries-old Mexican tradition that’s been immortalized to consumers through sugar skulls, perforated paper decorations and — increasingly — elaborately themed tequila releases.

With so many bottles to choose from, we thought we’d do a quick roundup of the best agave spirits picks to toast the festivities arriving Nov. 1.

We’ve included a handful of specifically Dia de Los Muertos-themed releases, but perhaps fewer than you might expect. The truth is, we can’t vouch for a lot of what’s out there. You’ll find plenty of beautiful bottles decorated with candles, altars and skeletons, but, as is so often the case, the prettiest decanters often contain the most mediocre of spirits. No judgment to those who partake, but this is a spirits list, not a centerpiece list (we’re looking at you, Clase Azul).

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we’d like to highlight a trend among producers who have begun distilling mezcal with marigold flowers, an orange-hued symbol of Dia de Los Muertos festivities throughout Mexico. Acclaimed brands like Bozal, Tres Tribus and Salvadores have each taken the concept in different directions. Due to their niche appeal, these expressions lean hard to find — feel free to check them out on your own time if you’re willing to splurge.

Without further ado:

De Nada Reposado

Read Our Review | Buy Now

Little less than a year ago, De Nada Tequila became an overnight sensation thanks to the unlikeliest of benefactors — Bravo host Andy Cohen. On the annual CNN New Year’s Eve broadcast, Cohen and Anderson Cooper slurped shots throughout the night surrounded by the bewilderment, debauchery and festivities that are Times Square. In other words, it was the best unintentional advertisement that a spirits brand could dream of.

These days, De Nada sports a slightly different look. The brand, described as the “first tequila founded by millennials,” recently ditched glass in favor of aluminum bottles all while keeping its price point under $60. Production is still headed up by the Vivanco family, famous for additive-free brands including La Caza, Siempre and Yeyo.

If we had to pick just one of De Nada’s expressions, we’d go with its Reposado, aged four months in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. Lovely, clean-cut aromas of agave linger on the nose alongside a sweet and roasted medley of vanilla, prunes and baking spice. On the palate, all the cinnamon and black pepper you’d expect from a moderately aged expression. The overall effect works wonders in cocktails and is an easy recommendation for the bar cart. The sustainability angle is a nice bonus.

Del Maguey Vida De Muertos

Read Our Review | Buy Now

Del Maguey’s iconic Vida expression, a mainstay in smoky mezcal cocktails the world over, has recently been expanded upon with two new iterations. Vida Puebla presents an “accessible” low-smoke palate while Vida de Muertos bumps the ABV up to a comfy 45%. In our opinion, Muertos is the best of the trio.

This Espadin expression is overseen by the Paciano Cruz Nolasco family in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca. Each fall, the team produces a special batch of its mezcal in anticipation of Dia de Los Muertos. Seasonal mezcal releases are something of a tradition throughout the region, especially when it comes to pechugas that incorporate local ingredients. In lieu of grains, fruit or meat, the Nolascos craft their seasonal batch with a limited center cut of distillate said to be richer in flavor.

As is the case with all Vida bottlings, smoke takes center stage. Ash, creamy sweetness and pepper float on the nose followed by a nicely rounded palate of agave, apple, minerality and a touch of charcoal. The finish persists far longer than anything you’d expect from a bottle often dismissed as a “cocktail mixer.” Clocks in around $45.

Alma Del Jaguar Tequila Reposado

See What Critics Think | Buy Now

In keeping with its name, Alma Del Jaguar donates a portion of proceeds to protect wildcat populations in northern Mexico and the U.S. The lion’s share (pun intended) of donations go toward the Northern Jaguar Reserve, a bi-national conservation effort that oversees a 56,000-acre refuge located in the state of Sonora.

Behind the ethos lies some fantastic tequila. Aged for two months in American white oak bourbon barrels before transferring to toasted French oak wine casks, the brand’s reposado embraces an osmosis of influences. On the nose, many have noted the presence of a distinct fresh banana note, followed on the palate by flavors of cinnamon, cooked agave and stone fruit.

It’s also worth noting that Alma’s distiller subscribes to the Mozart method, wherein fermentation occurs to the tune of the constantly pumping classical music. Whether or not the difference can be quantified on the palate is for you to decide; bottles of the brand’s symphonic reposado will cost you $60.

Alto Canto Blanco High Proof

Read Our Review | Buy Now

Our biggest surprise of the year has to be Alto Canto, the inaugural release of the recently constructed Tequila El Rocio distillery. There’s a lot going on under the hood with this one, so let’s dive straight into the details.

The biggest swing comes by way of elevation. Alto Canto grows and distills its agaves at what it claims to be the highest altitude of any tequila in Mexico, a feat which, in theory, would result in especially sweet and floral liquid. Other production methods pay homage to just about every technique that die-hard tequila fans dream of. Agaves are roasted in traditional brick ovens, macerated with a volcanic stone tahona and fermented with endemic yeasts.

The attention to detail pays off, particularly in its High Proof Blanco. Bottled at 48% ABV, the expression is delicately sweet and vegetal from aroma to finish, bursting with hints of vanilla, pear, honeydew and bell peppers. Above all else, we were impressed by the silky smooth mouthfeel on this one, a great change of pace from high-proof expressions that tend to scorch the back of the throat.

Alto Canto is slowly expanding its distribution across the U.S. In the meantime, you can find bottles of its High Proof Blanco online at $89.99.

Catedral de Mi Padre Tobala

Read Our Review | Buy Now

Catedral de Mi Padre is a family affair, brought to market by father-daughter duo Jeff and Sydney Block in 2022. Like many recognizable mezcal brands, Catedral sources its spirits from distilleries dotted throughout Oaxaca. Its Ensamble is helmed by the René family, its Mexicano by the prodigious Adela del Carmen Cruz Atonio and its Tobala by fourth-generation mezcalero Celestino Cernas.

We’ll just focus on its Tobala for now. If you’ve ever tasted a Tobala before, you’ll know that its flavor leans sweet and funky, veering away from the smokiness often attributed to mezcal in favor of a fruity, almost cheesy profile. Catedral’s take on the concept reflects those flavors in gobs.

Big whiffs of blueberry, mango and confectioner sugar give way to a palate awash in candied fruit and a lingering umami note somewhere between gorgonzola and prosciutto. It’s a flavorful tug-of-war pulled off with deft hands. The agave used to make this one was crushed with a donkey-pulled limestone tahona, an influence that — we’d argue — carries over a light mineral note that rounds out the palate.

Complex but not overwhelming, Catedral Tobala can be picked up for $75.

Mijenta Blanco Maestra Selection No. 1

See What Critics Think | Buy Now

Tequila’s ballooning popularity has invigorated a surge of new brands, and with them, a difficulty to stand out. Browsing through the latest releases, you’ll find the usual suspects repeated ad nauseam: Blue Weber agave, double distilled, 40% ABV — everything that defines the spirit minus any fun surprises. Far be it the fault of distillers, tequila is strictly regulated and there isn’t much exploring to be done outside the box.

Mijenta pulled a trick from its sleeve for just the occasion. Its latest blanco, dubbed Maestra Selection No.1, is distilled exclusively from seeded agaves. The subtle distinction represents a major departure from the industry status quo. Tequila is typically made from agaves grown from clonal shoots trimmed from a mother plant; the technique is wildly efficient, though results in a lack of genetic and flavor diversity. Mijenta’s twist allows for greater control over the end product alongside some unforeseen flavors.

Fragrant aromas of strawberries, grass and flowers foretell a palate chock full of citrus rind, lavender, anise and vanilla. It’s all very light on its feet, especially so for an expression bottled at 50% ABV. Think of it like liquid potpourri. If you have any qualms about higher-proofed tequilas, this $85 blanco is a fantastic place to get your footing.

Originally rolled out in 2023, G4 Reposado Madera trades stainless steel tanks for pine wood vats, the first of several steps intended to impart greater wood flavor into the tequila. G4 also made the unusual choice to age this one in ex-rye barrels, virtually unheard of in comparison to the industry-standard ex-bourbon barrels.

Those spicy oak influences can be witnessed inside and out. Literally. The tequila comes packaged inside an orange-lined coffin that begs to be returned to the earth from which its agaves were grown. The whole thing is wildly over the top, precisely on theme and delicious through and through.

We’ll note that this 42%-ABV reposado was limited to just 5,000 hand-numbered bottles at launch. If you want to grab a piece, be willing to cough up $350 or more.