When people think about tequila, they might picture nights filled with shots, salt, and lime. Or perhaps they imagine margaritas at their favorite Mexican restaurant, paired with tacos, chips, and guac.

Or instead, maybe they think about sipping a luxury tequila from a beautiful glass, served neat or on the rocks at a nice restaurant.

Tequila has come a long way from what it once was. It’s no longer notorious for being the perfect choice for shots or mixed drinks. In fact, the classic Mexican spirit has seen a rise in popularity in the United States over the last few years.

This is partly because of the growth in luxury tequila offerings. Believe it or not, the super-premium tequila category has actually grown by 706% since 2002, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.

For anyone interested in trying some of the premium tequila available today, the options may seem overwhelming. From beautiful bottles to unique flavor profiles, there’s certainly something for everyone. Below are some of the best sipping tequilas to try out, along with why they come so highly recommended.

How to Drink Sipping Tequilas

Tequilas meant to be enjoyed on their own are usually 100% agave and produced in a way that creates a full flavor profile while ensuring sustainable growth and production practices. This gives a great taste that you can without the addition of other ingredients.

For a full experience, have sipping tequila from a tequila glass. These are short, stemmed glasses made specifically for this purpose. Adding a few drops of water to the drink can really bring out the flavors in the chosen tequila. Some people enjoy their tequila over ice. Any way you drink it, sipping tequila is a great way to relax and unwind.

The Best Sipping Tequilas

Here are six tequilas that can be enjoyed as sipping tequilas. All of them have unique, complex flavor profiles that make them perfect for enjoying on their own.

Casamigos Blanco

This tequila comes at a lower price point than many other high-quality tequilas, and it’s a great option for those new to sipping tequila. It has a sweeter flavor, with a hint of vanilla and citrus. It’s very easy to drink, and it can be great when chilled. Casamigos Blanco may be best known for being started by George Clooney, who wanted a tequila he could drink without getting a hangover.

Clase Azul Reposado

For starters, the hand painted ceramic containers holding Clase Azul Resposado make a beautiful addition to any home bar. These coveted bottles hold a reposado tequila that’s distilled then rested for eight months in used American oak barrels. Despite the short rest time, this tequila tastes like it’s been aged for a lot longer, with a very sophisticated flavor. 

When the bottle is empty, it’s not unusual for consumers to repurpose it in innovative ways, choosing to upcycle rather than recycle. The unique container is preserved, reducing waste.

Don Fulano Blanco

This special tequila has touches of pepper, lemon peel, and lemongrass. It’s known for being a smooth, easy sipping tequila. It’s full flavored and warm, and uniquely aged in a combination of both new and used barrels.

Tears of Llorona No. 3 Extra Añejo Tequila

This unique, uncommon tequila is made from pure Weber blue agave from volcanic slopes in Jalisco. Tears of Llorona No. 3 Extra Añejo Tequila is copper-pot distilled to enhance the tequila’s taste. It’s then aged in three different barrels that once held Islay scotch, Spanish brandy, and Spanish sherry. This combination gives the tequila a more layered flavor similar to a cognac. Repurposing barrels not only gives the tequila unique flavor profiles, but ensures the extended life of production materials.

Casa Dragones Joven

This highly coveted tequila is a small batch, limited edition tequila made from estate-grown, sustainably harvested blue agave. Joven tequila is made of a precise blend of unaged platinum tequila mixed with aged añejo. This gives it a very smooth flavor. Casa Dragones Joven has been named The Tastemakers Top Tequila by Forbes Magazine.