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The healthiest tequila, ranked.

Tequila has a reputation for both wild nights and clean mornings. Both can be true. 100% blue agave tequila, verified additive-free, is one of the cleaner aged spirits because traditional production avoids the heavy oak congeners that bourbon and scotch concentrate. Mixto (51% agave) is a different drink entirely: cut with cane spirit, sugar, and undisclosed flavorings.

Full Tequila category profile → Is tequila gluten-free? →

What is the healthiest tequila?

Additive-free 100% agave blanco tequila is the cleanest. Siete Leguas, Tequila Ocho and Fortaleza were on the independent additive-free list started by Tequila Matchmaker until it was withdrawn in October 2024; Espolòn Blanco, Don Julio Blanco and Patrón Silver were not, so their additive status is unconfirmed. Casamigos scores worse here because many reviewers attribute its sweet character to additives within the 1% allowance, though no published test confirms it. Mixtos such as Jose Cuervo Especial rank worst.

See the full ranking Every metric compared
Category baseline chemistry
Congeners
Low
Histamines
Low
Polyphenols
Low
Sulfites
Very Low
Tannins
Low
Sugar
Low
Additives
Moderate

Tequila brands, lightest first

Tap any brand for full chemistry breakdown.

  1. 1

    Fortaleza Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1493)
    3/10
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  2. 2

    Siete Leguas Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1120)
    3/10
    Rate it
  3. 3

    Tequila Ocho Plata

    Blanco, 100% agave, single estate
    40%
    Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1474)
    3/10
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  4. 4

    Cazadores Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Arandas, Jalisco (Los Altos), Mexico (NOM 1487)
    4/10
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  5. 5

    Don Julio Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Los Altos, Jalisco
    4/10
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  6. 6

    Espolòn Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Los Altos, Jalisco
    4/10
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  7. 7

    Herradura Silver

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1119)
    4/10
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  8. 8

    Patrón Silver

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco, Mexico
    4/10
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  9. 9

    Teremana Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco (Los Altos), Mexico (NOM 1613)
    4/10
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  10. 10

    1800 Silver

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco (Los Valles), Mexico (NOM 1122)
    5/10
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  11. 11

    Casamigos Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco, Mexico
    5/10
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  12. 12

    Don Julio 1942

    Añejo, 100% agave
    40%
    Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1449)
    5/10
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  13. 13

    El Jimador Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco (Los Valles), Mexico (NOM 1119)
    5/10
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  14. 14

    Espolòn Reposado

    Reposado, 100% agave
    40%
    Los Altos Sur, Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1440)
    5/10
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  15. 15

    Hornitos Plata

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco (Los Valles), Mexico (NOM 1102)
    5/10
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  16. 16

    Lunazul Blanco

    Blanco, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco (Los Valles), Mexico (NOM 1513)
    5/10
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  17. 17

    Clase Azul Reposado

    Reposado, 100% agave
    40%
    Jalisco (Los Altos), Mexico
    6/10
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  18. 18

    Jose Cuervo Especial Silver

    Mixto (51% agave), unaged
    40%
    Jalisco, Mexico
    7/10
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  19. 19

    Jose Cuervo Especial Gold

    Mixto (51% agave), gold
    40%
    Jalisco, Mexico (NOM 1122)
    8/10
    Rate it

What makes one tequila healthier than another

  • ▸Look for "100% Agave" on the label: non-negotiable
  • ▸Blanco (unaged) carries lower congeners than Reposado or Añejo
  • ▸Check the 2024 independent additive-free list: no one certifies it now
  • ▸Brick-oven cooked > autoclave > diffuser
  • ▸Avoid mixto, celebrity novelty brands with no production transparency

Every tequila scored on all of it

The criteria above are only useful if you can check them, so each one that varies between brands has its own column here. Lower is lighter in every column.

Swipe to compare one measure at a time

Hangover

Hangover index

1 / 8

Congener load and ethanol dose, scored 1 to 10.

  1. 1Fortaleza Blanco3/10
  2. 1Siete Leguas Blanco3/10
  3. 1Tequila Ocho Plata3/10
  4. 4Cazadores Blanco4/10
  5. 4Don Julio Blanco4/10
  6. 4Espolòn Blanco4/10
  7. 4Herradura Silver4/10
  8. 4Patrón Silver4/10
  9. 4Teremana Blanco4/10
  10. 101800 Silver5/10
  11. 10Casamigos Blanco5/10
  12. 10Don Julio 19425/10
  13. 10El Jimador Blanco5/10
  14. 10Espolòn Reposado5/10
  15. 10Hornitos Plata5/10
  16. 10Lunazul Blanco5/10
  17. 17Clase Azul Reposado6/10
  18. 18Jose Cuervo Especial Silver7/10
  19. 19Jose Cuervo Especial Gold8/10

Mean chemistry load

2 / 8

Mean of the seven chemistry scores.

  1. 1Fortaleza Blanco1.4/5
  2. 1Siete Leguas Blanco1.4/5
  3. 1Tequila Ocho Plata1.4/5
  4. 4Don Julio Blanco1.7/5
  5. 4Patrón Silver1.7/5
  6. 61800 Silver1.9/5
  7. 6Cazadores Blanco1.9/5
  8. 6El Jimador Blanco1.9/5
  9. 6Espolòn Blanco1.9/5
  10. 6Herradura Silver1.9/5
  11. 6Hornitos Plata1.9/5
  12. 6Lunazul Blanco1.9/5
  13. 6Teremana Blanco1.9/5
  14. 14Casamigos Blanco2.1/5
  15. 14Espolòn Reposado2.1/5
  16. 16Jose Cuervo Especial Silver2.3/5
  17. 17Don Julio 19422.4/5
  18. 18Clase Azul Reposado2.6/5
  19. 19Jose Cuervo Especial Gold2.7/5

Strength

3 / 8

Alcohol by volume as bottled.

  1. 11800 Silver40%
  2. 1Casamigos Blanco40%
  3. 1Cazadores Blanco40%
  4. 1Clase Azul Reposado40%
  5. 1Don Julio 194240%
  6. 1Don Julio Blanco40%
  7. 1El Jimador Blanco40%
  8. 1Espolòn Blanco40%
  9. 1Espolòn Reposado40%
  10. 1Fortaleza Blanco40%
  11. 1Herradura Silver40%
  12. 1Hornitos Plata40%
  13. 1Jose Cuervo Especial Gold40%
  14. 1Jose Cuervo Especial Silver40%
  15. 1Lunazul Blanco40%
  16. 1Patrón Silver40%
  17. 1Siete Leguas Blanco40%
  18. 1Tequila Ocho Plata40%
  19. 1Teremana Blanco40%

Calories per 1.5oz

4 / 8

Calculated for a 1.5oz pour, mixers excluded.

  1. 1Fortaleza Blanco98
  2. 1Siete Leguas Blanco98
  3. 1Tequila Ocho Plata98
  4. Cazadores Blanco–
  5. Don Julio Blanco–
  6. Espolòn Blanco–
  7. Herradura Silver–
  8. Patrón Silver–
  9. Teremana Blanco–
  10. 1800 Silver–
  11. Casamigos Blanco–
  12. Don Julio 1942–
  13. El Jimador Blanco–
  14. Espolòn Reposado–
  15. Hornitos Plata–
  16. Lunazul Blanco–
  17. Clase Azul Reposado–
  18. Jose Cuervo Especial Silver–
  19. Jose Cuervo Especial Gold–

Congeners

5 / 8

Fermentation byproducts, tied to hangover severity.

  1. 11800 SilverLow
  2. 1Casamigos BlancoLow
  3. 1Cazadores BlancoLow
  4. 1Don Julio BlancoLow
  5. 1El Jimador BlancoLow
  6. 1Espolòn BlancoLow
  7. 1Fortaleza BlancoLow
  8. 1Herradura SilverLow
  9. 1Hornitos PlataLow
  10. 1Lunazul BlancoLow
  11. 1Patrón SilverLow
  12. 1Siete Leguas BlancoLow
  13. 1Tequila Ocho PlataLow
  14. 1Teremana BlancoLow
  15. 15Clase Azul ReposadoModerate
  16. 15Don Julio 1942Moderate
  17. 15Espolòn ReposadoModerate
  18. 15Jose Cuervo Especial GoldModerate
  19. 15Jose Cuervo Especial SilverModerate

Tannins

6 / 8

Astringent compounds from skins, seeds and barrels.

  1. 11800 SilverVery Low
  2. 1Casamigos BlancoVery Low
  3. 1Cazadores BlancoVery Low
  4. 1Don Julio BlancoVery Low
  5. 1El Jimador BlancoVery Low
  6. 1Espolòn BlancoVery Low
  7. 1Fortaleza BlancoVery Low
  8. 1Herradura SilverVery Low
  9. 1Hornitos PlataVery Low
  10. 1Jose Cuervo Especial SilverVery Low
  11. 1Lunazul BlancoVery Low
  12. 1Patrón SilverVery Low
  13. 1Siete Leguas BlancoVery Low
  14. 1Tequila Ocho PlataVery Low
  15. 1Teremana BlancoVery Low
  16. 16Espolòn ReposadoLow
  17. 16Jose Cuervo Especial GoldLow
  18. 18Clase Azul ReposadoModerate
  19. 18Don Julio 1942Moderate

Sugar

7 / 8

Residual sugar: blood-sugar swings and dehydration.

  1. 1Fortaleza BlancoVery Low
  2. 1Siete Leguas BlancoVery Low
  3. 1Tequila Ocho PlataVery Low
  4. 41800 SilverLow
  5. 4Cazadores BlancoLow
  6. 4Don Julio BlancoLow
  7. 4El Jimador BlancoLow
  8. 4Espolòn BlancoLow
  9. 4Espolòn ReposadoLow
  10. 4Herradura SilverLow
  11. 4Hornitos PlataLow
  12. 4Lunazul BlancoLow
  13. 4Patrón SilverLow
  14. 4Teremana BlancoLow
  15. 15Casamigos BlancoModerate
  16. 15Clase Azul ReposadoModerate
  17. 15Don Julio 1942Moderate
  18. 15Jose Cuervo Especial SilverModerate
  19. 19Jose Cuervo Especial GoldHigh

Additives

8 / 8

Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, sorbates.

  1. 1Fortaleza BlancoVery Low
  2. 1Siete Leguas BlancoVery Low
  3. 1Tequila Ocho PlataVery Low
  4. 4Don Julio BlancoLow
  5. 4Patrón SilverLow
  6. 61800 SilverModerate
  7. 6Cazadores BlancoModerate
  8. 6Don Julio 1942Moderate
  9. 6El Jimador BlancoModerate
  10. 6Espolòn BlancoModerate
  11. 6Espolòn ReposadoModerate
  12. 6Herradura SilverModerate
  13. 6Hornitos PlataModerate
  14. 6Lunazul BlancoModerate
  15. 6Teremana BlancoModerate
  16. 16Casamigos BlancoHigh
  17. 16Clase Azul ReposadoHigh
  18. 16Jose Cuervo Especial SilverHigh
  19. 19Jose Cuervo Especial GoldVery High

Every tequila here scores the same on histamines (low), polyphenols (low) and sulfites (very low), so those have no panel of their own.

Factors are scored 1 (very low) to 5 (very high). Load is the mean of all seven. Hang is the overall hangover index, which weights congeners and ethanol dose more heavily than a flat mean does, which is why the two columns do not always agree.

Calories are calculated, not copied: 7 kcal per gram of ethanol and 4 per gram of carbohydrate, with ethanol mass taken from the bottling ABV across a 1.5oz pour at a density of 0.789 g/mL. Mixers are not included; a tonic adds roughly 80 calories of sugar, soda water adds none.

FAQ

What is the healthiest tequila? ▾

Additive-free 100% agave blanco tequila is the cleanest. Siete Leguas, Tequila Ocho and Fortaleza were on the independent additive-free list started by Tequila Matchmaker until it was withdrawn in October 2024; Espolòn Blanco, Don Julio Blanco and Patrón Silver were not, so their additive status is unconfirmed. Casamigos scores worse here because many reviewers attribute its sweet character to additives within the 1% allowance, though no published test confirms it. Mixtos such as Jose Cuervo Especial rank worst.

What is the cleanest tequila? ▾

A 100% agave blanco that uses no additives. Mexican rules let tequila carry up to 1% glycerin, sugar syrup, oak extract or caramel without saying so on the label, so "100% agave" alone does not settle it. The independent additive-free list most people used was withdrawn in October 2024 after warnings from the tequila regulator, so its last published version, from October 2024, is still the practical check. Unaged blanco also avoids the oak congeners that reposado and añejo pick up.

Is tequila really the healthiest alcohol? ▾

Among aged spirits, 100% agave tequila is one of the cleanest. Among all alcohol, vodka is technically cleaner. The "tequila is healthy" meme oversimplifies. But the gist holds: real 100% agave tequila beats most brown spirits, wine, and beer on chemistry load.

Does tequila have less of a hangover? ▾

Yes, when comparing equal ethanol doses of 100% agave blanco tequila to dark spirits like bourbon or cognac. The blanco style skips oak aging, which is where the worst hangover-causing congeners come from. Mixto tequila does not share this advantage.

Is silver or gold tequila healthier? ▾

Silver (blanco) is healthier. "Gold" tequila such as Jose Cuervo Especial Gold is typically a mixto with added caramel coloring and flavoring to mimic aged tequila: a sugar and additive load with no real aging benefit. If you want aged character, buy a real Reposado instead.

More on tequila

Additive-free tequila: the list and the 1% rule

All 134 brands on the last independent list, why it was pulled in 2024, and where Patrón, Espolòn and Don Julio stand.
Vodka vs tequila: which is healthier?

Calories, sugar and the legal methanol and congener limits for each.

Compare across categories

How tequila stacks up against other categories.

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