Five Reposado Tequilas were awarded Gold medals at the 2025 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Below, you’ll find brief backgrounds on the Gold medalists, and my concise tasting notes on why these Reposado Tequilas were judged among the world’s best.
Spirits Selection by the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious blind-tasted spirits competitions, judged by experts from over 50 countries under strict quality controls and capped medal rates. Most of these Reposado Tequilas are relatively available in the US. See online vendors like Reserve Bar to source some of the more uncommon expressions.
El Tequileño Rosé Tequila, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $40.
The top-ranked Reposado Tequila was El Tequileño Rosé. This Tequila is technically classified as a Joven, since it is a mix of Blanco and aged Tequilas. Since it is finished in red-wine casks for a few months, it can also be classified as a Reposado. The wine cask aging gives the Tequila a reddish/pink hue along with a subtle red berry fruitiness.
The Tequila features aromas of strawberry, vanilla cream, and cooked agave on the nose. It’s silky on the palate, showcasing flavors of red berries, toffee, and a mild pepperiness. The finish is medium length with lingering notes of red berries, vanilla, and citrus zest.
30-30 Reposado Tequila, 40% ABV, 750 ml. $25
30-30 is a traditional “Valle” brand crafted from lowland agave. Following distillation, the Tequila is rested in oak casks for six to eight months before bottling.
It features aromas of vanilla, baked agave, and subtle cinnamon notes on the nose. It’s flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, roasted agave, lemon-lime zest, and pepper. The finish is medium length with lingering notes of wood spices, citrus, and seasoned wood.
Gran Orendain Reposado Tequila, 40% ABV, 750 ml $35
Casa Orendain is among the oldest of the family-run distilleries. Its Tequila is produced in the classic Valle style, utilizing a combination of Horno-cooked agave, tahona/roller-mill crushing, natural fermentation, and pot still distillation.
The Reposado features aromas of vanilla fudge, orange zest, and cooked agave. It’s smooth and round on the palate, showcasing flavors of toffee, almond, cooked agave, and earthy white pepper. The finish is long and clean, with a lingering sweetness and notes of seasoned oak.
Milagro Reposado, American Oak Barrel, 40% ABV, 750 ml $30
Milagro Reposado Tequila is produced at Destiladora San Nicolás in Los Altos. Historically, Tequila was aged in ex-bourbon barrels of American oak. Increasingly, producers have been experimenting with casks made from new American and French oak, as well as a range of treatments, from lightly toasted to heavily charred. This Reposado spent 6-8 months in new American oak barrels.
On the nose, the Tequila features aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and roasted agave. It’s sweet and smooth on the palate, showcasing flavors of agave honey, baked agave, toffee, and baking spices. The finish is lovely and medium in length, with lingering notes of cooked agave and seasoned oak.
Destilados Designs, La Diferencia Reposado, 40% ABV, 750 ml, $40
La Diferencia is another boutique Tequila. The Reposado is rested in used bourbon barrels until it is deemed ready for bottling.
It features aromas of caramel, citrus, and wood spices on the nose. It’s sweet, smooth, and balanced on the palate, showcasing flavors of cooked agave, caramel, pepper, and vanilla. The finish is medium in length, sweet, and slightly drying, with lingering notes of cooked agave and seasoned oak.
This Reposado slate showcases how the deft use of oak can enhance the aroma and taste profile of Tequila —whether via classic bourbon wood or a red-wine twist, like El Tequileño Rosé. Across styles, judges rewarded balance: clean, cooked-agave cores framed by vanilla, toffee, and gentle spice, with peppery and citrus notes and a flavorful, well-integrated finish. All these Reposado Tequilas are reasonably priced and readily available. All of them deserve a place on your shelf.