Best budget tequilas under $30

marvda1
marvda1 Posts: 4,901
in The Clubhouse
Trying to find a good budget tequila under $30 that's good for sipping and mixed drinks.
What do you have?
Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
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Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
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Comments

  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    El Ultimo Agave reposado
    Olmeca Altos reposado

    I usually make cocktails with blancos/silvers, but some budget reposados can be sipped as well.

    If you happen to have Suerte in your market, it's usually priced well, and takes it up another notch.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,047
    I have really liked the camarena tequila. Good for sipping and mixing in my opinion
    Shawn
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    has anyone tried trader joe's tequila, i hear it's pretty good.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,270
    marvda1 wrote: »
    has anyone tried trader joe's tequila, i hear it's pretty good.

    Are sippin', mixing, or just taking shots
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    edited April 2021
    Hornitos Plata is my favorite.

    https://internetwines.com/products/sauza-hornitos-silver-plata-tequila

    69ynzabw49ta.jpg

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  • tonyp063
    tonyp063 Posts: 1,081
    Believe it or not, this is fantastic for both.
    Made by NOM 1438

    8vp9twf0j21y.jpg
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    shawn474 wrote: »
    I have really liked the camarena tequila. Good for sipping and mixing in my opinion
    This is made from a diffusor process, basically blasting young agave pinas with chemicals in order to extract the sugars. It is a very non-traditional process that produces a product with an un-natural flavor profile.
    CH46E wrote: »
    Hornitos Plata is my favorite.

    https://internetwines.com/products/sauza-hornitos-silver-plata-tequila

    69ynzabw49ta.jpg
    Same answer here...made from a diffusor.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,114
    CH46E wrote: »
    Hornitos Plata is my favorite.

    https://internetwines.com/products/sauza-hornitos-silver-plata-tequila

    69ynzabw49ta.jpg

    Every year we drink Hornitos shots at deer camp while playing cards and I always say next year I'm not going to partake but always do anyways something's wrong with me.

    On another note me and the wife enjoy this very Hornitos iced down with cranberry juice good stuff and priced right.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    marvda1 wrote: »
    has anyone tried trader joe's tequila, i hear it's pretty good.

    Are sippin', mixing, or just taking shots

    all of the above, you know me.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    Diffusor products are crowd pleasers for sure - for the American palate...just not authentic tequila :(
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,578
    This is one of my favorite cheapie tequila's.

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    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

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  • CH46E
    CH46E Posts: 3,591
    edited April 2021
    jdjohn wrote: »
    shawn474 wrote: »
    I have really liked the camarena tequila. Good for sipping and mixing in my opinion
    This is made from a diffusor process, basically blasting young agave pinas with chemicals in order to extract the sugars. It is a very non-traditional process that produces a product with an un-natural flavor profile.
    CH46E wrote: »
    Hornitos Plata is my favorite.

    https://internetwines.com/products/sauza-hornitos-silver-plata-tequila

    69ynzabw49ta.jpg
    Same answer here...made from a diffusor.

    I really know nothing of Tequila processing. Vodka.... yes. But I know I can drink a lot of Hornitos Plata and 1800 Silver with no hangovers or nasty taste. By no means am I a Tequila pro. I dont drink it straight anyways. Only in Margaritas!
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,578
    I love margaritas! They are even better when listening to latino music on a beach...
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    better yet at an all inclusive in mexico. ask texas ted.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    CH46E wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    shawn474 wrote: »
    I have really liked the camarena tequila. Good for sipping and mixing in my opinion
    This is made from a diffusor process, basically blasting young agave pinas with chemicals in order to extract the sugars. It is a very non-traditional process that produces a product with an un-natural flavor profile.
    CH46E wrote: »
    Hornitos Plata is my favorite.

    https://internetwines.com/products/sauza-hornitos-silver-plata-tequila

    69ynzabw49ta.jpg
    Same answer here...made from a diffusor.

    I really know nothing of Tequila processing. Vodka.... yes. But I know I can drink a lot of Hornitos Plata and 1800 Silver with no hangovers or nasty taste. By no means am I a Tequila pro. I dont drink it straight anyways. Only in Margaritas!
    I'm a big tequila nerd...got into it heavy about 10 years ago. My wife is into as well, which makes it easier to fund as a hobby. Two years ago, we went on a week-long guided tour trip in Jalisco (around Guadalajara), where 95+% of all tequila is made, and visited 8 small-batch distilleries. The distilleries varied in production methods, going from old-school brick ovens, and mules pulling volcanic millstones to crush the agaves, to modern autoclave ovens, and roller mills (adapted from use for sugar cane/rum production). Some distilleries do fermentation from wild air-born yeast in old wooden vats, and others use their own proprietary yeast in stainless steel tanks. Stills varied from small copper pot stills to huge column stills.

    Larger producers like Cuervo, Sauza, and Herradura use a diffusor process for many of the their products, but they also have autoclaves and roller mills as well for certain products.

    Patron uses a blend of old-school and modern methods, but to their credit, do not use a diffusor. Of course they produce in large batches, so instead of just one or two copper stills, they have like 10 or 12 going.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • Irrenhaus
    Irrenhaus Posts: 1,089
    Casadores Añejo. You will need to look but can be found on sale for $29.99

    os9i9o94ftza.jpg

    Cheers
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,197
    Irrenhaus wrote: »
    Casadores Añejo. You will need to look but can be found on sale for $29.99

    Cheers

    Do you know if this is a fairly new label? I think this might be the tequila that I used to buy for margaritas, etc, but stopped being able to find it. If this is what I’m thinking it might be, I’m going to agree with @Irrenhaus. Hard to beat for the $$.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    Just...no. The brand Cazadores has changed distilleries over the years, and the current incarnation from NOM 1487 is made with a diffusor. The older, vintage bottles from NOM 1128 are desirable, but very rare in 'the wild' at this point.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 2,267
    jdjohn wrote: »
    Just...no. The brand Cazadores has changed distilleries over the years, and the current incarnation from NOM 1487 is made with a diffusor. The older, vintage bottles from NOM 1128 are desirable, but very rare in 'the wild' at this point.

    Jody, I'll agree with that "Just...no".

    Barbara and I purchased a bottle of Cazadores about two weeks ago just to make margaritas. It was recommended by the store manager. We did not like it. This is coming from two people who went through "TEQUILA CONVERSION" about a year ago after some lessons from Jody.

    We put the Cazadores away to use later. We got the Don Julio Reposado out and sipped some to compare and then we made new margaritas. No comparison. Don Julio Reposado has become our favorite.

    A 375ml bottle of Don Julio Reposado can be purchased for about $30 for those special sipping occasions.


    v9heaqjqu3wd.png



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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited April 2021
    what's the best way to tell if a tequila is made with a diffuser process?
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,144
    Tequila Matchmaker https://www.tequilamatchmaker.com/en is the best website (they have an app as well) for information on different brands. If you search on a particular brand, and look at 'Production Details', and then 'Extraction', you can see if a diffuser was used. You can also apply filters on their entire database to show a comprehensive list of brands that use a diffuser.

    Brands are not required by law to disclose whether or not they use a diffuser, so the TM database has been built from the ground up by people who inquire directly or visit the distilleries.

    Another aspect to consider in tequila is the use of additives. It is perfectly legal, and within regulations, for brands to use a very small amount (2%, I think) of additives such as glycerin, coloring, or flavoring. Of course these all impart a fake taste that I personally don't like...I like the authentic taste of the cooked agave. Again, producers are not required to disclose the use of additives. However, some brands want to distinguish themselves, and have gone on record to say they are "additive-free". You can filter on that as well in the TM database.

    I am a self-proclaimed tequila snob, but people should obviously drink what they like.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,578
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I am a self-proclaimed tequila snob, but people should obviously drink what they like.

    You should start a "Tequila for snobs" discussion. Actually I think we have one like that on here somewhere.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
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    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,270
    audioluvr wrote: »
    jdjohn wrote: »
    I am a self-proclaimed tequila snob, but people should obviously drink what they like.

    You should start a "Tequila for snobs" discussion. Actually I think we have one like that on here somewhere.

    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2515415#Comment_2515415

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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,578
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/comment/2515415#Comment_2515415

    Thanks! I knew it was somewhere. Just lazy today
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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