The World’s Best Tequila—According To The 2026 Agavos Awards

LifestyleSpiritsThe World’s Best Tequila—According To The 2026 Agavos AwardsByBrad Japhe,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. You can find me at the confluence of food, beverage and travel.Follow AuthorMay 29, 2026, 04:15am EDTSummaryThe Agavos Awards, established by Agave Matchmaker founders Grover and Scarlet Sanschagrin, recently announced their top agave spirit selections, judged by an esteemed industry panel. Now in its second year, the competition highlights excellence in the booming tequila and mezcal market, which generates billions in US revenue. This year's highest-scoring tequila, at 96 points, is Lost Lore Tequila Valley Blanco. Hailing from Arandas, Jalisco, it's celebrated for its vegetal, mineral, and earthy profile with notes of cooked agave and citrus, finishing with salt and sweetness. Priced around $75, it's an exceptional spirit. The "Best In Show" mezcal, also scoring 96, is Aguerrido “Cupreata” Vicencio y Gabina Capón 2 Años. This rare Guerrero mezcal offers a complex bouquet of caramel apple, wildflowers, and spices, with a robust, creamy mouthfeel and a woody, mineral finish, retailing for about $120.Show More Lost Lore Tequila Valley BlancoPhoto illustration: Brad JapheThe Agavos Awards have just announced their results for the best tequilas and mezcals on shelves today. We’ve got your exclusive look at the big winner for both of those popular categories of agave spirit. But first, a brief explainer on what the Agavos Awards are and why you should care.The competition was officially launched at the beginning of 2025 by Grover and Scarlet Sanschagrin, founders of Agave Matchmaker (formerly Tequila Matchmaker). For over a decade, the site has existed as one of the preeminent authorities on all things agave. That status was hard-earned; established through the tireless passion and expansive knowledge which the husband-and-wife duo infuse into the project. It’s the same...