Last Updated on: 17th May 2024, 10:42 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.
With the assistance of Tequila expert Neil Coleman and customer feedback, I have reviewed and ranked every Camarena Tequila release and determined which is the best.
Written by: J Highland
Choosing the Best Camarena Tequila
Camarena Tequila caters to different needs:
- Camarena Silver: Ideal for mixing due to its affordability and strong agave and peppery notes. It makes a great base for cocktails and margaritas.
- Camarena Reposado: A budget-friendly option for those who enjoy a tequila forward taste. While not the smoothest, it offers a good balance of agave sweetness, oak, vanilla, and a unique earthy note.
- Selection Criteria: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions from Neil Coleman, and online research, focusing on aroma, taste, finish, and value.
Camarena Silver: Best for Mixing
Despite hints of agave and vanilla, Camarena Silver's strong alcohol presence and peppery bite make it a rough sipper. Its warmth lingers on the finish. While ice can help, this tequila shines in margaritas and cocktails, offering an affordable option for mixing or shots. Fans of Member's Mark Tequila (Camarena-distilled) will find familiar notes, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.
Camarena Reposado: Affordable Agave Forward
Aged just two months, Camarena Reposado offers a decent value. Initially alcoholic, the aroma mellows to oak, agave, vanilla, and cinnamon. The taste starts warm with sweetness from agave, followed by oak, vanilla, and a unique earthy note. The finish lingers with a touch of oak and sweetness.
Not the smoothest, but Camarena Reposado boasts a good agave presence, similar to Cazadores Reposado but with a stronger agave flavor. This tequila excels in cocktails and shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Camarena Tequila a Good Budget Option?
- Budget-Friendly: While not an elite tequila, Camarena offers decent quality at an affordable price, ideal for cocktail mixing.
Does Camarena Tequila Use Additives?
- Additive-Free: Both Blanco and Reposado are 100% agave and free of additives and artificial sweeteners.
Who Produces Camarena Tequila?
- Heritage: Produced by the Camarena family, which also crafts higher-end tequilas like El Tesoro de Don Felipe, G4, Tapatio, and Ocho.
What is the History Behind Camarena Tequila?
- Family Legacy: Don Felipe Camarena, an agave grower, founded La Alteña distillery in Jalisco in 1937, continuing a family tradition of tequila making since the early 1800s. The distillery was established near a blue agave growing area and underground springs. The business has since been passed down through generations.