President Donald Trump has specifically targeted Mexico with his tariffs, and that is bad news for people who love tequila and mezcal. Thanks to Mexican government rules, spirits called tequila and mezcal can only be produced within certain states of the country. These are the best imported tequilas and mezcals facing potential tariff hikes.
1. Jose Cuervo
The tequila with the biggest name recognition in the United States is Jose Cuervo, and the brand advertises itself as the number one tequila in America. The spirit would be subject to any tariffs levied on Mexico as it is made in the state of Jalisco at the La Rojeña distillery, the oldest in Latin America.
2. Patrón
If Jose Cuervo isn’t the most popular tequila in the United States, Patrón is. First released in 1989, the brand is made at Hacienda Patrón in Jalisco, Mexico. The tequila is now owned by Bacardi, but would still be subject to tariffs.
3. Ilegal Mezcal Joven
Over the last decade or so, Mezcal has become very popular in the United States, especially among people who love a smoky profile. The alcohol was initially made in Mexico and imported to Guatemala but it quickly gained popularity globally and certainly appears on American shelves.
4. Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
Del Maguey Vida Mezcal is well-known among American consumers with its eye-catching green bottle. The spirit is incredibly clean and costs about $35 a bottle. However, that price could go up if the tariffs come back into place.
5.Casamigos
Casamigos is a celebrity-backed brand first formed by Rande Gerber (businessman and Cindy Crawford’s husband) and A-list actor George Clooney. Casamigos is bottled in Jalisco, Mexico. The brand was successful and sold off to global giant Diageo in 2017 for $700 million.
6. Teremana
Teremana is another celebrity-backed tequila brand, as it is the personal brand of wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. With anejo and reposado varieties available, reviews of the spirit put it squarely in the mid-range category of tequilas. Still, the tequila has the backing of one of the biggest stars in the world and is a major seller.
7. Clase Azul Mezcal San Luis Potosi
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Like Scotch whisky, there are levels to high-end mezcal, and the spirit could quickly get very expensive. One of the most high-end mezcal varieties is San Luis Potosi, which sells for over $400. Adding a tariff to that cost could get ugly fast.
8. Hornitos
Some tequilas aren’t meant to be sipped on the rocks, but that doesn’t matter. They can always be used in drinks like margaritas and palomas. Hornitos, a brand common in chain restaurants, can do that job quite nicely and at a pretty strong price point.
9. Don Julio
Don Julio González-Frausto Estrada was a tequila-making prodigy. He first began distilling the tequila that bears his name when he was only 17 years old. The brand is very popular with American drinkers and sells tequilas that range from around $40 to over $500 a bottle.
10. Pantalones
As you can tell by the name of the tequila, this tequila from Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves, is more about fun than anything else. But the celebrity-backed spirit has also earned a nice reputation for people who want a brand that is both sweet and smooth.
11. Sauza
Sauza tequila may be the lowest-cost spirit on this list, as a liter of it can be purchased for right around $20. And for that $20, you get a heck of a bargain. Sauza is a tequila that can be sipped on the rocks but also works well in frozen cocktails.
12. Rey Campero
Rey Campero mezcal is a brand that has grown in popularity in the United States. It is a nice option for people who are just starting to drink mezcal, as it has a smoky flavor that is also fruity. The bottle sells for mid-grade prices, going for around $40.
13. Espolon
Espolon is another tequila that savvy shoppers can grab for a bargain price. A 1.75-liter bottle of the spirit sells for just over $50. While the tequila can be enjoyed on the rocks, it is also a fantastic choice for making margaritas due to its taste and low price point.
14. Tears of Llorna
Tears of Llorna, made by master distiller German Gonzalez, is very expensive, selling for around $260 for a bottle. But aficionados of fine tequila will be able to taste that this tequila was made in bourbon and sherry casks. Thanks to tariffs, the high-priced option could get much more expensive.
15. Gracia a Dios Mango Mezcal
Some people may feel that they like the smoky taste of mezcal, but it finishes too rough for them. Gracia a Dios, like all actual mezcals, is made in Oaxaca. The mango flavor makes this drink very easy to drink on the rocks, but it also works great in cocktails.
16. Cazadores
Cazadores is a brand that has been making tequila since 1922 and is especially known for its reposado varietal. The spirit has a bit of a whiskey feel as it is made in oak barrels, blending a smoky flavor that blends perfectly with the blue agave.
17. Cabo Wabo
After making tremendous money as the lead singer of the legendary rock band Van Halen, Sammy Hagar moved to Cabo San Lucas to live a beachfront lifestyle. He began to make his tequila, which he called Cabo Wabo for the people at his resort. It became a hit and is now one of the more popular tequilas in the US.
18. Scorpion Mezcal
Scorpion Mezcal sells many bottles just because of its gimmick: The spirit is bottled with a real scorpion at the bottom. It is also considered to be an especially good bottle as most varieties sell for more than $200.
19. El Tesoro
El Tesoro is an upscale brand of tequila known for its Mundial collection. The brand is also known for collaborating with Laphroaig, the famed Scottish distillery. Both El Tesoro and Laphroaig could face added costs if tariffs are placed on either Mexican exports or imported aging materials from the EU.
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