Clase Azul Not In Your Budget? Here Are Some Cheaper Alternatives

Tequila may have been one of those love-or-hate things that almost everyone has a story about, but it's recently been considered with the same sort of seriousness usually reserved for whiskey or scotch. Premium tequila brands can set a buyer back a pretty penny, and take Clase Azul. Bottles start somewhere in the $130 mark and go up from there, with some bottles heading to the same price bracket as a new car.

Hilariously, Clase Azul founder Arturo Lomeli told CNN that while they had seen a market for luxury tequila, the most expensive bottles started as a gimmick. "We didn't imagine that we were going to be in the business of selling super expensive bottles regularly," he said. Surprise!

Lomeli stresses that his tequila is meant to be savored, to be enjoyed slowly and purely. That's great, but let's be honest — that's a ton of money to lay out for a single bottle of tequila, no matter how good it is. Fortunately, we have some really good news. We took a look at some affordable alternatives to Clase Azul, and chose the best of the best based on price point, on-the-rocks drinkability, and how happy we'd be to have a friend show up on our doorstep with a bottle. 

Tequila is made with agave — that's what makes it tequila, after all — so one of the hallmarks of a really good tequila is that sweet agave flavor. It's one of the reasons we like Mijenta's Reposado: Not only can you pick up a bottle for around $75,  but that bottle is going to last a while. Why? You're going to want to sip it and savor it on those days when you're in the mood for something wonderfully sweet.

That sweetness comes from the agave, which is front and center in this bottle. Add in notes of honey, toffee, and orange, and while sure, it'll make for a great tequila sunrise, you don't really need to mix this one with anything at all.

Mijenta has won a slew of awards for this version of its tequila, which was made with an eye toward creating the perfect sipping or on-the-rocks tequila. It's flavorful but not overwhelming, incredibly smooth, and great for those who aren't super familiar with tequila. We love it for newcomers because it's a great example of that agave flavor that you have to experience to really understand, but you're not going to be making that cringey tequila-face with this one. Be honest: You know which face.

Ocho Tequila boasts being one of the few tequilas that's still made the old-school way: This additive-free, artisanal tequila comes from slow-roasted agave that is harvested only when they reach seven to 10 years old. They're cut by hand, slow-cooked in brick ovens, then crushed and fermented. If that sounds like a lot of work, it is — but it's totally worth it. The idea was to create a tequila that doesn't need to hide behind mixers, can stand alone, and captures the spirit of what makes tequila such a long-time favorite.

All of Ocho's offerings are respectable options, but we went with the Reposado as our favorite for an on-the-rocks or straight drink. There's a richness to this one that's not necessarily in the Blanco — which isn't always a bad thing — and it comes with a nutty, butterscotch flavor that's almost got a note of coffee about it. This makes it an excellent after-dinner drink, and given that a bottle will set you back only about $50 to $60, it's one that you can enjoy guilt-free, even when there's not a special occasion to celebrate.

Seeing something that's still strength usually means that it's going to make your toes curl, but Fortaleza's Blanco Still Strength is such a good tequila, it's great on the rocks nevertheless. We also like it because it's a great example of what agave should taste like: sweet and earthy at the same time, slightly peppery, a little salty, with some citrus notes that give it a bite, but not a sting. It's no slouch at 92 proof, and we also like the idea that you're getting a bottle of something that was once pretty exclusive. Its still strength tequila was once only available during distillery tours, but if that makes it sound super expensive, don't worry.

Depending on your location, you're likely able to pick up a bottle for between $52 and $90. We'd definitely recommend keeping an eye out for this one, picking it up when it's on the cheap side, and stowing it on the shelf for one of those evenings that you just want to treat yourself.

We're recommending Herradura as a whole because there's no way you're going to go wrong with any of its products. Its standard bottles hover at around $50, and there's a reason the distillery has been in business since the 1870s: It's just good tequila. Casa Herradura is actually the birthplace of both reposado and extra añejo, so trust that it knows what it's doing.

Herradura's Reposado is still winning awards in the 21st century, and is lauded for the way that it accents that forward agave flavor with buttery, gingery goodness. If you're looking for something that's a little more on the spicy and smoky side, there's the equally award-winning Añejo. Love vanilla? Try the Silver, which has the bonus of being generally a little more on the affordable side, but is just as good — particularly when it's used in your favorite tequila cocktails. (Yes, that's true for even those tequila cocktails that aren't margaritas.)

Sometimes, there's just no regular bottle of tequila that seems right. If you're looking for the perfect bottle for a romantic dinner, an anniversary, or an intimate birthday celebration, look no further than the Codigo 1530 Rosa. Rosé might be something that comes to mind more readily with wine, and that actually ties directly into how this particular offering is made: It's aged in barrels that were used for Cabernet wines in the Napa Valley. 

Sounds pretty amazing, right? It is — and BBC GoodFood agrees, giving this 5/5 stars and calling it their favorite out of the line of all the impressive Codigo 1530 tequilas. While most tequilas might have an agave sweetness or a caramel and vanilla vibe going on, this one has a pleasantly surprising floral-and-strawberry flavor that we love for a few reasons. Not only does it make for a wonderful tequila, but it's a great way to add something unique to the regular rotation. It's also a great way to introduce someone to tequila who might be unsure of whether or not they're going to like it, and at around $60 a bottle, there's no way to go wrong.

That old saying about not judging a book by its cover has been around for a long time for a reason — hence why you can't always judge a liquor by its bottle. Sometimes, though, you just want a statement piece — and whether it's something to sit on the top shelf of your home bar or to take to a holiday dinner with the in-laws, there's nothing wrong with picking something eye-catching and decorative. And when it's affordable? All the better for you, and no, you don't have to tell. 1800 Cristalino Añejo looks like it costs much more than a reasonable $65 or so per bottle, and it follows that fancy bottle up with a very good tequila.

One of the things that we really like about this one is the complexity. This develops from the multi-step aging process that starts in French and American oak barrels and finishes in casks previously used for port wine. With these added layers of flavors that might not be present in other tequilas, it's a great option for enjoying on the rocks.

While there's something to be said for a tequila brand that does things well and the traditional way, there's room for the young upstarts, too. Enter: Rooster Rojo. One of the things we like about this brand is that in addition to the typical Reposado and Blanco options, it has a few unique types. Its Smoked Pineapple is tequila that's not only infused with pineapple, but aged in bourbon barrels for a fruity, smoky flavor that's completely different than what one might be expecting from a tequila. It also has a spicy, earthy Ahumado, which adds a pretty amazing extra dimension to any cocktail it's used in.

The standards are nothing to scoff at, either, with varieties like its Reposado getting accolades for its rich yet smooth woody, fruity, and vanilla symphony of flavors. In most areas, you can expect to pay about $50 a bottle for these, making it a great brand for everyday drinkability and making sure you've got a go-to win.

Now that you're armed with some information about some more affordable yet respectably delicious tequila options, check out everything you need to know about Clase Azul.