The Different Types of Tequila Explained: Blanco vs. Reposado vs. Anejo

Let’s talk tequila, shall we?

When non-drinkers speak of the spirit, tequila is an all-encompassing word. For those passionate about it, tequila bears nuance, a need for familiarization. It isn’t just a difference in the types of tequila brands - though it certainly is part of it. It’s the different types of tequila and their differences.

If you’ve had a sip of tequila before and hated it, maybe you haven’t found the right one.

What Are The 5 Types Of Tequila: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

Before you get information overload, we’ll straight up give you the 5 different kinds and then expand after. Here you go.

• Blanco - This is tequila bottled immediately after distillation, or after a short rest in stainless steel pots - around two months. It is bright, vegetal, and direct, with fresh agave character.
• Joven - This one is typically a blend of blanco with aged (usually reposado) tequila or has caramel coloring and possibly sugar added. It is often used for mixed drinks.
• Reposado - This one spends between two months and one year in oak. The wood softens the spirit and adds notes of vanilla and light spice.
• Añejo - For this, it is aged between one and three years in oak. It develops deeper color and richer flavors, such as caramel, toasted oak and dried fruit.
• Extra Añejo - This is aged for more than three years and approaches the complexity of fine aged spirits like cognac or single-malt whisky.

See? Quick. Easy to digest. Now, we expand a little more.

Blanco vs Reposado vs Añejo

Tequila can be simplified into these three: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo. This makes it easier to approach if you’re new to them. Think of them like t-shirt sizes. Small, medium, large. Many other sizes (aka types of tequila) exist, but brands generally lean towards these three. 

Blanco

Quick Shots:

• Aging: None or up to two months
• Flavor / Profile: Fresh agave, citrus, pepper
• Best For: Margaritas, palomas, cocktails

With the blanco, you’re getting the purest agave character out of the entire lineup. If you’ve had a strong sip of tequila before, the kind that burns or feels raw to drink, it could be a blanco. Given that it has no opportunity to be smoothed out by aging, it can be a little harsh. This is also why many would use a blanco to make other drinks with. It both lends its profile to cocktails and other ingredients make it a more pleasant sip.

Reposado

Quick Shots:

• Aging: Two months up to a year
• Flavor / Profile: Vanilla, light caramel, soft oak
• Best For: Neat, stirred cocktails, richer margaritas

The reposado is the middleman. It still bears that agave freshness, but it now has warmer notes like vanilla and caramel. It’s softened by aging and is more balanced than the blanco. The best way to experience the difference between blanco, reposado, and añejo would be finding a brand that has all three and trying each in one flight. That way, you can easily compare!

Añejo

Quick Shots:

• Aging: One to three years
• Flavor / Profile: Toasted oak, caramel, dried fruit
• Best For: Sipping neat, thoughtful pairings

Añejo is likely to be a bottle that should be sipped neat. Barrels have time to leave impressions when a spirit has been aged for years. You get the most rounded sip of the three, which would only be experienced with slow sipping. Yes, you can still use it for cocktails, but the question would be: why? Añejo doesn’t need any help!

Further Readings - SWOL Anejo Tasting Notes: What You'll Taste, Feel & Love

Quick Tips Before We Dip

If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Cheap tequila often tastes like it. You’d be rewarded if you spent just a little more. In fact, we recommend asking your local barkeep or shop owner for a recommendation. Just tell them if you’re new and looking for something approachable to try. If their recommendations didn’t work for you, tell them (respectfully). It will help them get to know your preferences a little bit more and offer a bottle that’s more to your liking. 

Oh, and look for 100% blue agave on the label. It’s what you want if you’re looking for a good sip. Just trust us on this.

Start SWOL

If you’re going to try some tequila, then why shouldn’t it be something top-tier? 

SWOL Tequila is all about great sips and the experience around it. Yes, we do have different types of tequila, but blink and you’ll miss them. Why? Our bottles are also collectables. They all come with premium patches that you can sew on your clothing or your backpack. 

More importantly, SWOL Tequila is just damn good tequila. A quick little search online should prove that point. You’ll find loads of rave reviews!