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The Kitchn reported that Hornitos Plata was the favorite in a blind taste test of nine tequilas, with tasters praising its smoothness and light floral notes. The bottles cost $25 to $50, and the result reflects the preferences of nine staff tasters, not a broader consumer study.
The Kitchn named Hornitos Plata Tequila its favorite in a blind tasting of nine tequilas priced from $25 to $50, according to a report by associate groceries editor Ali Domrongchai. Tasters cited the bottle’s smooth character and light floral notes; the result comes from a small staff panel and does not establish a consensus among tequila drinkers generally.
Nine Apartment Therapy Media staff members sampled the tequilas in a blind test. Domrongchai poured quarter-ounce samples into glasses marked with letters, and participants tasted them in random order. Tasters scored and ranked each drink independently, considering texture, appearance, smell, taste and willingness to buy. The group discussed the results only after scoring was complete, the report says.
Hornitos Plata received praise from nearly every taster, according to The Kitchn. One participant described it as among the smoother options; another cited a nearly sweet taste and light floral notes. The report says the tequila has 40% alcohol by volume and calls it relatively expensive within the test, but gives no exact price for the bottle.
Tequila Reserva 1800 Silver was the runner-up. One taster called it the only bottle she would buy after the tasting, while another said it was her favorite; some participants found it bitter. The report also highlighted Tequila Ocho Plata for its agave-forward taste with honey and pepper notes, Casamigos Blanco for fruity sweetness, and Patrón Silver for smooth sipping despite tasting stronger to participants.
How the Panel Chose Its Favorite
The result offers shoppers a small, blind comparison across bottles that the publication selected for popularity, availability and price. Because participants did not know the labels while tasting and scored independently, brand recognition was less likely to shape their initial ratings, though the report does not describe a formal scientific protocol.
The findings may help readers narrow a crowded shelf, but individual preferences differed: one panelist’s smooth pick could strike another as bitter or harsh. The test reflects nine staff members’ impressions, not laboratory analysis, a representative consumer survey or a measure of production quality. The Kitchn also says it may earn a commission when readers buy products through its links, and notes that listed prices were accurate at publication.
Nine Bottles Under Fifty Dollars
The Kitchn set a $50 price ceiling and selected nine brands whose bottles ranged from $25 to $50, with most near $30. Bottle sizes varied, and the report does not provide a like-for-like price per volume for all entries. The article describes tequila as a spirit distilled from blue agave grown in Mexico and mentions margaritas, Palomas and ranch water as common cocktail uses.
All five bottles discussed in detail in the source—the winner, runner-up and three honorable mentions—were listed at 40% ABV. Panelists sampled the spirits without mixers, which shaped some reactions: one participant found most samples harsh when tasted straight, while another recommended the runner-up for margaritas. These are tasting opinions reported by the publication, not objective rankings.
““It’s not too strong””
— Ali Domrongchai, The Kitchn associate groceries editor, quoting a taster on 1800 Silver
Limits of the Tasting Results
The report does not give numerical scores, the full ranking of all nine bottles, or the identities and prices of every contender in the supplied material. It also does not state the tasting date or explain whether participants had prior familiarity with each tequila before the brands were revealed. The test had nine workplace volunteers, so its results cannot show how a larger or more varied group would rank the bottles.
The publication does not provide independent chemical or production testing, and its descriptions of smoothness, sweetness and strength are subjective tasting notes. The exact current retail price may also differ from the price at publication; the report says its prices were accurate at the time it appeared.
Check Prices Before Buying
The report does not announce another tasting or a planned follow-up. Readers considering a bottle can compare current local prices and use the article’s notes as a starting point, keeping in mind that the panel’s top choice reflects its own preferences. The Kitchn says it may receive a commission from purchases through its links.
All five tequilas described in detail are listed at 40% ABV. Anyone choosing to drink should follow the bottle’s serving guidance and drink responsibly; alcohol is for adults of legal drinking age.
Key Questions
Which tequila won The Kitchn’s taste test?
Hornitos Plata Tequila was named the top pick among nine bottles. The report says nearly every taster praised it, particularly for smoothness and light floral notes.
How much did the tested tequilas cost?
The bottles ranged from $25 to $50, with most around $30. The supplied report does not specify the exact price of Hornitos Plata, and prices may have changed since publication.
How did the panel test the bottles?
Nine staff volunteers tasted quarter-ounce pours served under letter codes and in random order. They scored each tequila independently before the brands were revealed.
What was the runner-up?
Tequila Reserva 1800 Silver was the runner-up. Some tasters liked its smooth, floral flavor, while one found it too bitter for casual sipping.
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