The most expensive tequilas are not only delicious, but also have a rich and colorful history. Tequila has a long and rich history that spans several centuries. When you think of tequila, you probably recall drunken nights out with your friends where one too many shots of Jose Cuervo resulted in a few regrettable decisions, perhaps a lost wallet, and a blinding hangover. This, however, is not how tequila connoisseurs enjoy the historical Mexican spirit. Like fine, aged whiskey, quality tequila is meant to be sipped and enjoyed for its unique flavours.
You may be surprised to learn that the world’s finest tequilas sell for several thousand US dollars per bottle and are collected just as enthusiastically as some of the world’s finest wines. Small batch tequila brewers take great pride in their craft and produce exquisite spirits that cannot be compared to what lurks behind the bars of sweaty nightclubs.
Jump To a Section Below
What Makes Tequila Expensive?
The traditional method for brewing tequila involves the use of the blue agave plant, which is native to Mexico, where the spirit originated. Generally speaking, the higher the blue agave content, the more expensive the tequila. The purest tequilas are made from 100% blue agave and aged for varying time spans.
Silver tequila is the exception, as it is typically not aged. Other tequilas like Reposado and Anejo are aged anywhere between ten months and eight years in wooden casks that give it its characteristic amber colouration. For this reason, silver tequila is harsher while Reposado and Anejo are smoother and more flavoursome.
So, purity and age play a role in the price of a tequila, however, there is more to it than that. Tequilas are also valued according to their rarity, the prestige of the brewer, and the craftsmanship of the bottle. The more renown is built around a certain bottle of tequila, the more expensive it becomes as investors and consumers alike gravitate toward it.
Top 5 Most Expensive Tequilas in The World
Ley Tequila 925 Diamante
This extraordinary bottle is more of an investment than a spirit. A bottle of Ley 925 Diamante will cost you a whopping 3.5 million US dollars, due mostly to the sheer extravagance of the bottle. This is not to say that the contents of the bottle are not also extraordinarily fine – Ley 925 Diamante tequila is 100% pure blue agave and aged for seven years.
The bottle, however, is a masterwork of distilled value. The bottle itself is pure platinum and weighs 2.5 kilograms. As if this was not enough, the bottle is then encrusted with 4100 high-quality diamonds.
Ley Ultra Premium Tequila
Ley is, as you may have noticed by now, known for its pricey packaging as well as exceedingly high-quality tequila. Ley’s Ultra Premium, however, is dramatically cheaper than its diamond-encrusted cousin. Each bottle is priced at 225 thousand USD. Although it may be lacking in valuable gemstones, the bottle is still made of white gold, yellow gold, and platinum.
The tequila itself is of a similar standard to the 925 Diamante. It is also 100% pure blue agave but aged only six years, which is still a lengthy ageing process where tequila is concerned. Either one of these two bottles will make a stunning addition to any tequila collection, as well as a sizeable dent in any bank account.
Clase Azul 15th Anniversary Edition
The key to the value of the Clase Azul 15th Anniversary Edition is its rarity. Only fifteen bottles were ever produced as a commemorative anniversary milestone for the artisan tequila company. Each bottle is made of handcrafted ceramic, including unique designs and precious metals.
Clase Azul is renowned for its Mezcals, Reposados, and Anejos of fine quality, all of which will cost you a heavy sum of money. However, the 15th Anniversary Edition is by far the company’s most expensive release due to its scarcity. If you manage to get your hands on one of these bottles, store it somewhere safe for a few years and you’ll likely get a very tidy return on your investment.
Patron En Lalique, Series 2
Patron dabbles more in mass-produced, globally sold bottles of relatively high-end tequila than they do in small batch, expensive spirits. Some bottles cost less than 50 US dollars – but when it comes to this particular bottle, the price is far less accessible.
The bottle is finely crafted crystal made by Lalique, a French crafting collective that partnered with Patron to produce this limited-edition product. The tequila is aged eight years and is remarkably smooth, sweet, and fragrant. A bottle of Patron En Lalique Series 2 will cost you 7 500 US dollars.
Barrique de Ponciano Porfidio
This Anejo tequila by Porfido is of exceptional quality. It is also unique in that it is triple-distilled and then distilled again, making the end result incredibly pure. Additionally, it is aged in barrels made from rare and expensive woods such as Cherry and Acacia, which gives it its characteristic reddish hue. The bottle is also striking in its simple yet unique craftsmanship.
Only 3 000 bottles of the Barrique de Ponciano Porfido were ever produced, making it an incredibly exclusive edition. As such, a bottle will typically cost anywhere from 2 000 US dollars upwards. It is not as scarce as the Clase Azul 15th Anniversary Edition, nor as ludicrously decadent as the Ley Ultra Premium, but the quality of both the tequila and the bottle is indisputable. Any collector worth their salt would be ecstatic to acquire one of these.
Tequilas that Cost a Small Fortune
There are several other rare and expensive tequilas worth mentioning, such as:
- Clase Azul Edicion Especial Rosa Pink Tequila – $3,900
- Codigo 1530 French Cognac Casks 13 Year Old Tequila – $3,450
- Clase Azul Dia de los Muertos Tequila- $3,000
- Jose Cuervo Aniversario 250 Tequila – $2,900
- Código 1530 XII – $2,600
- Dos Lunas Grand Reserve Tequila – $2,600
However, as you can see, the top 5 are the most prestigious and most expensive tequilas. Like fine, rare wine, if you ever do encounter one of these bottles, it will likely be as part of a prized collection rather than behind a bar (even at the most exclusive establishment).
The heritage of tequila is a proud one, and these bottles are some of the most revered products of that long and honoured history. Each one is valued for different reasons, but each one is undeniably precious in its own way.
Chermaine’s journey into the world of gemstones and crystals began as a child, collecting shimmering stones on family vacations. Today, she’s a certified gemologist and spiritual healer, intertwining the physical beauty of jewels with their metaphysical properties.
Chermaine has traveled to mines in Africa, marketplaces in India, and spiritual retreats in Bali, always seeking to deepen her understanding.