Last Updated on: 6th April 2024, 01:57 am
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.
Discover the differences between Cuervo Gold vs Sauza Gold in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Tequila is worse!
Quick Note: 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 and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Cuervo Gold vs Sauza Gold: Comparison
Jose Cuervo Gold: Known for its alcoholic aroma, blends honey, black pepper, and wood on the palate. Ideal for budget cocktails, this mixto tequila offers a candy-like sweetness with a short, peppery finish. Popular for its affordability and wide availability.
Sauza Gold: Features a peppery aroma with a palate of bitter alcohol, agave, and caramel. Best used in cocktails, offering a straightforward, budget-friendly option with a short peppery finish. It’s another mixto tequila, valued for its mixing potential.
Verdict: Both Jose Cuervo Gold and Sauza Gold serve as budget-friendly mixers for cocktails, with Jose Cuervo offering a sweeter profile and Sauza presenting a straightforward, peppery taste. Choose based on your preference for sweetness or pepperiness in cocktails, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Quality Tequilas to Avoid Hangovers
Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila: A Budget-Friendly Mixer
- Nose: Alcohol, nail polish, oak, caramel
- Palate: Honey, black pepper, alcohol, wood
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: Jose Cuervo Especial Silver
Aroma: Jose Cuervo Gold presents with a noticeable alcohol presence, alongside hints of oak and a touch of caramel sweetness.
Taste: The tequila starts with a sweet caramel flavor that quickly gives way to a prominent peppery punch and a warming alcohol bite. Subdued oaky notes linger alongside a somewhat candy-like sweetness that emerges later.
Finish: The finish is relatively short and warm, leaving lingering hints of pepper, candy, and oak.
Overall: While not ideal for sipping neat, Jose Cuervo Gold’s affordable price and caramel-pepper flavor profile make it a popular choice for budget-friendly cocktails. It’s important to note that this tequila is not made entirely from agave.
Bonus Facts:
- Founded in 1795, Jose Cuervo holds the title of Mexico’s first commercial tequila distiller.
- The brand is responsible for one-fifth of the world’s tequila consumption.
- It remains a family-owned business and the sole major Mexican-owned tequila distiller.
Sauza Gold Tequila: A Straightforward Mixer
- Nose: Black pepper, alcohol, agave
- Palate: Bitter alcohol, agave, caramel
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
- Similar to: Hornitos Reposado
Aroma: Sauza Gold opens with a distinctive peppery note, followed by subtle hints of agave and a touch of alcohol warmth.
Taste: The tequila delivers a lighter, slightly watery texture with a prominent peppery flavor. A touch of caramel sweetness emerges later, offering some balance.
Finish: The finish is relatively short and peppery, with a lingering warmth.
Overall: Sauza Gold offers a smooth, albeit slightly bitter, drinking experience. Its affordable price makes it a popular choice for mixing cocktails. However, it’s important to note that this tequila is not made entirely from agave.
What do Cuervo Gold and Sauza Gold have in common?
Many popular tequila brands, including Jose Cuervo Gold and Sauza Gold, are classified as “mixto” tequilas, meaning they contain a blend of blue agave and other permitted fermentable sugars, such as sugar cane or grains.
While these tequilas must legally contain at least 51% blue agave, they may not offer the same taste profile or experience as 100% agave tequilas.
It’s important to be aware of labeling terms like “Made from Blue Agave,” which can be broad and not necessarily indicative of the exact agave content.
To ensure you’re getting a 100% agave tequila, look for the phrase “100% Blue Agave” on the label.
The amber color in some mixto tequilas is often achieved through added caramel coloring, not through the traditional aging process used for tequilas like reposado.
This means the color might not necessarily reflect the flavor or maturity of the spirit.
Ultimately, choosing the right tequila depends on your individual preference and intended use. If you’re looking for a smooth and authentic tequila experience for sipping, opting for a 100% agave variety is generally recommended.
This is because blue agave sugar ferments differently than other sugars, resulting in a smoother taste profile and potentially fewer headaches for some individuals.
However, mixto tequilas can still be a great choice for creating decent cocktails at an affordable price point.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price | Bottle Size |
| Cuervo Gold | $25 | 1L |
| Sauza Gold | $20 | 1L |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | Jose Cuervo Silver | Sauza Gold |
| Type of tequila | Mixto | Mixto |
| Aging length in months | None | None |
| 100% agave | NO! | NO! |
| Grinding method | Diffuser | Diffuser |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | No |
| Cooking method | Acid-Thermal Hydrolysis | Autoclave |
| Double-distilled | Yes | Yes |
| Triple-Distilled | No | No |
| Additives | Unsure | Unsure |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |