Best Tequilas in Australia at Dan Murphy’s

Last Updated on: 17th May 2024, 10:48 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.

These are the best Tequilas chosen by me and Tequila expert Neil Coleman you can buy in Australia and are widely available as they are offered at Dan Murphy's.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Tequila at Dan Murphy's

This guide highlights tequilas available at Dan Murphy's, catering to various preferences and budgets:

Looking for a Blanco with Unique Character?

• Tromba Blanco: This Blanco offers a complex profile with roasted agave, black pepper, and hints of mint and vanilla, making it a great choice for sipping or cocktails.

Budget-Friendly Blanco for Mixing:

• Espolon Blanco: A widely available and affordable option, Espolon Blanco boasts a peppery kick and moderate sweetness, perfect for margaritas, palomas, or shots.

Smooth Reposado for Sipping:

• Ocho Reposado: This tequila delivers a unique experience with fruity notes like pineapple and melon alongside baking spices and a hint of chocolate.

Versatile Reposado for Cocktails:

• Altos Reposado: An ideal choice for mixing due to its balance of agave and oak flavors. It offers a touch of spice and minimal warmth, making it great for margaritas or sipping.

Luxurious Añejo for Special Occasions:

• Don Julio 1942: This premium tequila boasts a rich and smooth profile with notes of vanilla, caramel, chocolate, and agave. It's best enjoyed neat for a luxurious sipping experience.

Hidden Gem for Sipping:

• Calle 23: Don't miss this lesser-known tequila! It offers a complex flavor profile with agave, vanilla, oak, and hints of espresso and cinnamon, perfect for sipping and savoring.

Sweet and Smooth Extra Añejo:

• San Matias Gran Reserva: While on the pricier side, this Extra Añejo is a delightful surprise. It offers a smooth and sweet profile with caramel, vanilla, and oak notes, making it a great introduction to this style of tequila.

Remember: Consider your preference for Blanco (unaged), Reposado (rested), or Añejo (aged) tequilas. If you're new to tequila, a Blanco or Reposado might be a good starting point. Also, keep your budget in mind. While there are excellent choices at every price range, some tequilas, like Don Julio 1942, are considered premium sipping experiences.

• 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.

Quick Look at the Best Tequilas to Buy in Australia

Prices are approximate and stated in local currency:

Tromba Blanco: Agave, Spice, and Satisfaction

Tromba Blanco boasts a unique aroma of roasted agave, black pepper, earthy hints, and a touch of sweetness. Its oily texture delivers a satisfying mouthfeel, while the flavor unfolds with notes of agave, spice, mint, and vanilla, accented by black pepper. The finish is long-lasting with a touch of warmth and brown sugar, showcasing Tromba's quality.

Crafted by a Don Julio Tequila veteran, Tromba Blanco deserves a spot in your collection. Available at Dan Murphy's.

Espolon Blanco: Affordable Blanco with a Peppery Kick

Espolon Blanco presents a light aroma with hints of earth, pepper, and a touch of alcohol. The initial warmth gives way to a pleasant sweetness with fruity and vanilla notes. The medium finish offers citrus flavors and a lingering peppery warmth.

Easy on the wallet, widely available in Australia, Espolon Blanco is a great tequila for cocktails or shots, boasting moderate sweetness balanced by a slight warmth and peppery character, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.

Ocho Reposado: Smooth Tequila with Fruity & Spicy Notes

Ocho Reposado opens with a sweet, fruity bouquet of pineapple and melon, layered with hints of cinnamon, clove, and agave. The palate echoes these flavors, combining agave and pineapple with baking spices and a touch of oak. The finish lingers with warming baking spices, subtle fruit, and a hint of dark chocolate.

Crafted by the Camarena family using bourbon barrel aging, Ocho Reposado offers a smooth, heat-free experience for those Down-Under.

Altos Reposado: Agave & Oak Harmony for Cocktails

Altos Reposado offers an aroma rich in agave, with whispers of vanilla and oak. The taste starts fresh with apple and lime, then transitions to a sweet and robust blue agave heart, finishing with hints of spice and oak. The finish has minimal warmth, bringing in caramel and a touch of pepper.

This versatile tequila is ideal for cocktails, particularly those that benefit from subtle oak notes, like Margaritas. It's also enjoyable for sipping.

Don Julio 1942: A Luxurious Sipping Experience

Don Julio 1942 beckons with a rich aroma of vanilla, caramel, roasted agave, and a whisper of oak. The velvety palate unfolds with upfront caramel, chocolate, agave, and oak, maintaining a pleasing balance with subtle smokiness. The long, warm finish lingers with agave, oak, and cinnamon notes.

This exceptional tequila is best enjoyed neat, showcasing its smoothness and lack of harsh burn for a truly luxurious sipping experience. Highly recommended to our friends in Australia.

Calle 23: A Hidden Gem for Sipping

Calle 23 offers a complex nose of agave, vanilla, oak, caramel, and a hint of cherry. Its thick texture creates a satisfying mouthfeel. The flavor profile revolves around sweet agave, balanced by notes of vanilla, oak, espresso, and cinnamon. The long finish brings caramel and subtle barrel spice with minimal heat.

Crafted by Sophie Decobecq, Calle 23 is a lesser-known gem that impresses with its quality, preserving rich agave despite bourbon barrel aging. Perfect for a delightful sipping experience.

7. San Matias Gran Reserva: Sweet & Smooth Surprise

This Extra Añejo opens with agave, cinnamon, and oak, revealing ripe fruit with a swirl. The medium-bodied palate feels satisfying, offering a smooth sweetness of caramel and vanilla upfront, followed by oak and a touch of leather. The finish lingers with subtle black pepper and caramel.

Despite the price, San Matias Extra Añejo exceeds expectations. While agave isn't prominent, it's a great intro to this style with its smooth, sweet profile.