The World’s Best Blanco Tequila The Winners At LAWSC 2026

These Blanco Tequila winners from the Latin America World Spirits Competition show where the category is heading: more agave character, more texture, and more terroir.

The Tasting Alliance’s Latin America World Spirits Competition is a major showcase for agave spirits. Created to provide Latin American producers with a dedicated platform within the Tasting Alliance’s broader competition portfolio, the 2026 edition drew several hundred entries to The Tequila Lab in Guadalajara, where judges from across Latin America and the United States evaluated Tequila, Mezcal, and other agave spirits.

For Tequila in particular, the results offered a useful snapshot of where the category stands today: focused fermentation, stronger agave expression, greater site expression, and growing confidence in high-proof and tahona-driven styles. What follows are brief backgrounds and my tasting notes on the Best in Class and Gold Medal-winning Blanco Tequilas.

The Lost Explorer Tequila Blanco, 40% ABV, 750 ml. NOM 1258 Double Gold

The Lost Explorer Tequila Blanco was named Best Blanco Tequila, Best Overall Tequila, and Best in Show Agave Spirit. Crafted in Amatitán in the Jalisco Lowlands, the Tequila showcases the region’s volcanic terroir.

The Tequila is fruity and herbaceous, with aromas of citrus and pineapple, herbal notes, subtle buttery notes, and a dusting of cinnamon. It’s full-bodied yet balanced on the palate, showcasing herbal and vegetal flavors, citrus, wet-stone minerality, and a faint sea-salt edge. The finish is long, spicy, and flavorful, with lingering notes of cinnamon, lemon zest, wet-stone minerality, toasted corn tortilla, and mint.

Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco, 40% ABV, 750 ml. NOM 1523 Double Gold

This Blanco Tequila is a blend of lowland and highland agave, baked in a traditional stone oven (horno) and crushed in a tahona. The Tequila features aromas of cooked agave, citrus, pear, honeydew, green papaya, cucumber, mint, and light floral notes. It has a medium-full body with a slight sweetness on the palate, revealing flavors of cooked agave, cracked black pepper, grapefruit, tart melon, lemongrass, Thai basil, and a touch of vanilla cream. The finish is long and crisp, with lingering notes of cucumber, lime, and pepper, along with a dry, volcanic minerality.

El Jefe Luis Tequila Blanco, 40% ABV, 750 ml. NOM 1459 Double Gold

The Blanco Tequila features prominent aromas of cooked and green agave, with notes of pepper, citrus, and mint. It’s smooth and silky on the palate, showcasing flavors of sweet, cooked agave, herbaceous notes, and subtle black pepper. The finish is medium to long, sweet and warming, with lingering notes of cooked and green agave, citrus, and mint.

Tequila Tapatío 110 Blanco, 55% ABV, 750 ml. NOM 1139 Double Gold

This Tequila is a high-proof Blanco from La Alteña in Arandas, Los Altos Highlands. 55% ABV is the highest bottling proof allowed under Mexican regulations.

Tapatio is intensely aromatic on the nose, with green and cooked agave notes of black pepper, cinnamon, roasted green pepper, and a hint of white-chocolate sweetness. It’s dense and oily on the palate, with pronounced mouth weight and subtle sweetness that showcase powerful flavors of black pepper, red chile heat, roasted agave, cinnamon toast, and assorted fruity notes, especially fresh green grapes, and golden raisins. The finish is very long, dry, and flavorful, with lingering notes of cooked agave, spices, and a light vanilla echo.

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