Tequila 101: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo

How tequila's aging categories affect flavor, and which style to reach for in different cocktails.

What makes tequila tequila

Tequila must be made from blue Weber agave, grown mostly in and around Jalisco, Mexico, and distilled according to strict regional rules.

Blanco (silver)

Unaged or aged less than two months, blanco tequila has the brightest, most vegetal agave flavor. It's the standard choice for a Margarita or Paloma, where you want that flavor front and center.

Reposado

Aged 2 months to a year in oak, reposado picks up a light golden color and mellow vanilla and oak notes while keeping its agave character — great in an Old Fashioned-style tequila cocktail.

Añejo and extra añejo

Aged one to three years (or longer for extra añejo), these tequilas taste closer to a fine brandy or aged whiskey, and are usually best sipped neat rather than mixed.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between blanco, reposado, and añejo tequila?

Blanco (silver) is unaged or aged less than two months, with the brightest, most vegetal agave flavor — the standard choice for a Margarita. Reposado is aged 2 months to a year in oak, picking up mellow vanilla and oak notes. Añejo is aged one to three years, tasting closer to a fine brandy or aged whiskey.

Which tequila should I use in a Margarita?

Blanco tequila is the standard choice, since its bright, vegetal agave flavor stays front and center. Reposado also works well in an Old Fashioned-style tequila cocktail, while añejo is usually best sipped neat rather than mixed.