If you feel like tequila-based drinks are popping up on cocktail menus everywhere, rest assured, you’re not hallucinating. Tequila, a liquor once thought to be just for booze and, even worse, hangovers, is suddenly everyone’s favorite liquor.

As the second most popular spirit in America, behind only vodka, tequila is having its long-overdue moment in the spotlight. Much like bourbon, another North American original recently rediscovered by drinkers, a big reason for tequila’s boom is the emergence of a plethora of high-quality brands on the market.

These premium and ultra-premium tequilas from Mexico have completely changed the perception of tequila. Although it still fits nicely into the party drink category, it is quickly gaining a large following as an excellent liquor for sipping and the perfect base for an unforgettable cocktail.

The experts at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the world, have just released their results for the 2024 event. Held annually in London, the event awards up to 100 points in blind tasting. This year, 107 bottles were awarded a Gold Outstanding Medal for achieving a score of 98 or more among thousands of bottles evaluated. Two of them were tequilas. If you’re looking for the best tequila in the world, you’ve come to the right place. And the best part is that both bottles are easily available.

1800 Milenio Extra Añejo Tequila

First produced in limited quantities in 2000, 1800 Milenio has wowed judges and drinkers alike every year it has been released. Part of what makes it so special is its deep roots in Mexico. It is made at the legendary La Rojeña distillery, the oldest working distillery in Jalisco, the heartland of tequila. This is the same distillery that produces Jose Cuervo and Gran Centenario.

When 1800 Tequila launched in 1975, it was one of the first brands to exclusively produce premium tequilas and helped change people’s perception of the spirit. Their 1800 Milenio Extra Añjeo is their pinnacle. Made from 100% blue Weber agave grown on family-owned ranches and harvested at its peak in Tequila, Mexico, the liquid at Milenio went through a long and careful aging process.

After being aged in oak barrels for two years, the tequila was aged for a short time in French oak cognac barrels. This additional aging created a tequila known for its balanced, smooth taste. It currently sells for around $249 per bottle and you can buy it here.

Here’s what the judges had to say about it. “Delicious aromas of stone fruit and red apple lead to a harmonious blend of alcohol and sweetness on the palate. A wonderfully deep mouthfeel with a lingering, spicy finish.”

Lunazul Primero Humoso Blanco Tequila

When Lunazul Tequila was launched in 2004, expectations were high. The company was founded by Francisco Beckmann, a seventh-generation descendant of Mexico’s oldest tequila brewing family. His goal was to produce high-quality tequilas in small batches that would introduce the world to the complex flavors of an under-recognized spirit.

To achieve this, he built Tierra de Agaves, a micro-distillery in the heart of the Beckmann family’s private agave plantation, one of the largest in the world. Using only locally sourced ingredients, they have since produced award-winning tequilas that are famous for their bold flavor.

Lunazul Primero Humoso Blanco Tequila is a unique product because it offers both the smoky flavor you expect from mezcal and the smoothness you expect from a traditional blanco. This makes sense when you consider that humoso means smoky in Spanish.

Using a blend of mesquite-smoked agave and fresh blue weber agave, Lunazul has created a unique smoked tequila. It’s perfect on its own or makes a great base for a wide range of cocktails. It’s currently retailing at $29.99 and you can buy it here.

And this is what the judges say about it: “Fresh creaminess of grass and peppermint with a hint of smoke. Rounded and earthy, with nuances of roots and tropical and lemony aromas. Gently rounded and balanced with lively fruitiness and earthy spices, with balsamic and lemony notes in the lingering finish.”