Picture this: you’re standing in the alcohol aisle and all the shelves are drowning in bottles. There’s bottles priced from $19 to “do I need to take out a mortgage on this” and it gets you wondering. What even is premium tequila? And how do I make sure I’m not paying $300 for caramel syrup mixed with rubbing alcohol?
Forget the gold foil, fancy labels, and how heavy the cork is. You want a tequila with depth, character, and a story you can taste in every sip. Celosa Tequila has all of that. So why not grab a bottle to enjoy while you go through the 7 things to look for when buying (actual) premium tequila?
Let’s go back to the basics and dig into the stuff that goes on behind the scenes so that next time you find yourself in the liquor aisles, you know what to look for.
Let’s keep it simple. Here’s 7 things to look for when buying (actual) premium tequila.
…Or, if you’d rather skip the label-reading and get to the good stuff, Celosa’s a premium pour that actually earns it. Here’s where to find it.
1. It should say “100% Blue Weber agave”
If you can only check one thing, it has to be this. And put that bottle back down if the label says anything like blends and mixto. You’re not about to drop $300 for a mystery syrup that belongs in a birthday cake frappe.
The only way for a premium tequila to be truly premium is if it’s 100% Blue Weber agave. That’s it. That’s the answer.
2. Additive-free matters more than you think
If it tastes like dessert, it probably isn’t just agave. A lot of brands throw in additives like vanilla, caramel, fake oak and even glycerin to smooth things over. That’s not high quality tequila, no matter what the marketing says.
Real tequila doesn’t need to have a soft filter, it just needs intentional practices, great quality agave, and a whole lot of time. And yes, premium tequila has to be additive-free.
3. Transparency isn’t optional
The bottle should tell you something real.
Where was it made?
Was the agave cooked in an autoclave or a brick oven?
Is it a blend or single batch?
If they’re quiet about the process, assume the worst.
Curious about how real premium tequila is made? Check out Celosa’s process.
4. The finish should feel clean, not sticky
This is the easy test. Take a sip and wait a beat. If it feels like sugar stuck to your tongue (or you can still taste it five minutes later), skip it.
A clean finish is the mark of a high quality tequila; it doesn’t hang on like a flavored vodka.
5. If it’s barrel-aged, it should taste like it meant to be
Aging is a tricky business. It can round things out or completely drown them.
Good aging brings in warmth… think soft oak, dry spice, maybe a little chocolate or fruit, but still lets the agave speak first.
If the first thing you taste is “wood,” it probably wasn’t worth the wait, and aging was used to mask bad quality.
6. You should want to sip it slow
Forget the college party days and the back to back shots. Tequila has a reputation, yes. But we’re drinking high quality, premium tequila now… put the salt and lime down.
If you can sip it nice and slow and not throw up from the burn, that’s a sign you’re drinking the good stuff.
7. The bottle should reflect what’s inside
Looks aren’t everything, but let’s be honest… they matter. If it’s meant to be a gift, or if it’s going on your shelf, it should look like someone thought it through.
Looking for a beautiful bottle of tequila to gift? Check out Celosa Pink Tequila.
Celosa does it all
Celosa’s a joven, but don’t let that fool you.
It’s made from 100% organic Blue Weber agave (seven years in the highlands before it even gets harvested), then rested in French oak red wine barrels from Napa (yes, actual Pinot Noir and Cab barrels).
That’s where the rosé color comes from, and the softness too. There’s no additives here, no blending, and definitely no mixto nonsense here.
The first pour, the first sip, and you realize you’re drinking the kind of bottle you’ll want to keep around.
Ready to try it out for yourself? Shop online or find a distributor near you.
