hornitos tequila in shot glass with salt surrounded by lime slices

Hornitos Tequila Review: Our Expert Thoughts

Hornitos Tequila is a premium tequila that originated in Jalisco, Mexico. They make a few options to choose from, starting with Hornitos Black Barrel Anejo, which is an aged tequila that has a smooth and delicious flavor profile. Other options include Hornitos Reposado and Plata tequilas. All in all, Hornitos Tequila is a great choice with plenty of options to fit your flavor preference and budget,.

This article will cover what Hornitos Tequila is, what it tastes like, if it’s worth your money, and even some alternatives if you’re on the fence. Read on for our Hornitos Tequila review below.

A Quick Look at Hornitos Tequila 

Hornitos Tequila is a great choice for a night out or if you want to sip on some tequila with friends. Our chart below covers some of our quick thoughts about Hornitos Tequila. If anything piques your interest you can learn more below.

Overall Rating 4 Stars
Flavor 4 Stars 
Value 4 Stars 
Tasting Notes Agave, citrus, apple, oak
Classification Tequila 
Distillery Casa Sauza
Proof 80 proof 
Aged 2 months to a year 
MSPR $24.99

Pros And Cons of Hornitos Tequila 

Hornitos Tequila offers several options that fit most budgets and flavor profiles. This makes it one of the most flexible tequila options, but there are some pros and cons to be aware of. For example, flavor is often compromised for mass production with brands like Hornitos.

PROS CONS
Four tequila options to choose from  Not the best quality 
Made with 100% agave 
Great value 
Aged tequila 

What Is Hornitos Tequila?

Hornitos Tequila is a company that manufactures a few tequila options. Each bottle comes in at a different price point and can be used for different things. For example, some Hornitos Tequila is better than others when it comes to sipping and some of the cheaper options are better in a mixed drink. Learn more about each type of Hornitos Tequila below.

First, the Hornitos Black Barrel Anejo. This tequila is aged as a premium añejo and then aged for four months in charred oak barrels. As a result of the aging and use of oak barrels, it has a smooth flavor profile that has a smoky taste to it – almost like a bourbon whiskey.

Next up is the Hornitos Plata. This one  has a smooth flavor that goes down easily whether you shoot it or sip it. It’s made from 100% blue agave and there’s a good chance that you’ll notice the flavorful citrus notes. Hornitos Plata is our top choice when it comes to mixing.

One of the company’s latest options is the Hornitos Cristalino. This is a clear tequila that the company claims is their smoothest tequila to date. For someone who wants something similar to Patron, this is right up your alley.

Last but not least we have Hornitos Reposado. This blend of Hornitos’ tequila has notes of apple and even some herb-like flavors that make it palatable, even for non-tequila drinkers. It’s a great tequila for mixing and sipping, so it’s flexible.

Is Hornitos Real Tequila?

Hornitos is as real as it gets when it comes to tequila. There are a handful of types that you can choose from and the Hornitos Plata version is made with 100% blue agave. The company’s other variations are also made with real agave, so you don’t have to worry about switching bottles and getting a tequila flavor that you weren’t expecting.

What Does Hornitos Tequila Taste Like?

The flavor profile of Hornitos Tequila changes based on the type of tequila that you’re drinking. We go into detail about each option below.

First and foremost, we have the Hornitos Tequila Plata. This tequila has a blue agave flavor that gives it subtle hints of citrus and some other fruity flavors. It’s smooth and not as harsh as some other types of tequila you find. Another similar tequila by Hornitos is the Cristalino tequila. It’s a pure tequila that really lets you taste it. That said, there are some subtle hints of citrus.

Next, we have Hornitos Reposado tequila. This blend of tequila is aged for at least two months in oak vats with minimal contact with the wood. While it still has a smoky flavor it tastes more smooth and less like wood than some other barrel-aged tequilas. 

When you want the boldest and best flavor, you want the Añejo tequila from Hornitos. This tequila is aged for a year in oak barrels and has one of the most complex, yet smooth, flavor profiles in a tequila with a distinct amber color to reflect that.

What Is the Alcohol Content of Hornitos Tequila

Most Hornitos Tequila options are 80 proof. Liquor that has 80 proof has an alcohol content of 40%. This is right around the average for tequila, vodka, and other types of clear liquor.

Is Hornitos Tequila Good?

Hornitos Tequila is good tequila. However, it depends on what types of flavors you want from a tequila and what you’re expecting. For example, it’s not a good tequila if you’re expecting a $100+ bottle of tequila. However, for tequila in its price range it’s hard to beat the flavor it offers. For example, the 25-dollar Hornitos Tequila Plata is a cheap and clear tequila that’s better than most bottles in its price range.

Hornitos Tequila is also good if you enjoy the citrus flavors and hints of oak. However, if you’re not interested in flavors like that then you’re better off trying a different tequila or a different type of liquor.

Is Hornitos the Best Tequila?

Hornitos Tequila is great tequila and it holds up well compared to competitors. That said, it’s not the best tequila that you can buy. For example, Don Julio 1942 is one of the better tequilas out there and Hornitos Tequila doesn’t hold up quite as well as a sipping tequila. Hornitos Tequila also isn’t up there with Casamigos Blanco or Clase Azul Reposado Tequila.

On the other hand, it’s not a good gift if someone likes expensive tequila or if they don’t like tequila at all. In these cases, you're better off with a whiskey like Legent bourbon.

How Is Hornitos Tequila Packaged?

Hornitos Tequila is packed in glass bottles. At the front of the bottle, you’ll find a raised blue agave leaf and the phrase 100% Agave. On the back of the bottle, there is also some marketing. You’ll find the signature of the owner Don Francisco. The bottles can come in a few sizes that include 50ml, 200ml, 375ml, 750ml, and 1 liter. There is also a 1.75-liter bottle available. The most common bottle size you’ll find is the 750ml bottle.

How Should You Drink Hornitos Tequila?

There are a few ways that you can drink Hornitos Tequila. When it comes to Hornitos Plata and Hornitos Cristalino, we suggest making mixed drinks like a margarita ora tequila mojito or mule. You can even get creative and mix it with something fruity like pineapple to bring out its best flavors .

On the other hand, the Hornitos Black-Barrel  Añejo is a great sipping tequila. It has a flavor that hits you with citrus and oak notes. There is also a Hornitos Reposado that’s great to enjoy as a shot or mixed in some less fruity cocktails.

How Much Does Hornitos Tequila Cost?

Hornitos Tequila costs around $25 a bottle on the low end to around $35 on the high end. If you want the Hornitos Tequila Plata it costs around $25, whereas the Hornitos Black-Barrel Añejo will cost you about $35. There are also some outliers depending on the size of the bottle and the type of liquor. For example, some smaller bottles can sell for as little as $9 to $12.

If Hornitos Tequila is found in a bar it will cost you around $5-7 per shot. If you want to sip it a whole glass will cost you more.

Where Can You Buy Hornitos Tequila?

Hornitos Tequila isn’t always easy to find but it is available online. Many websites sell Hornitos and even large supplies like Target have the liquor for sale. You may also find Hornitos Tequila at your local liquor store as the Hornitos Tequila Plata is quite popular.

Hornitos Tequila can also be found in some bars and at some restaurants, so keep that in mind as well. However, if you can't find Hornitos, Milagro tequila is a great alternative.

Is Hornitos Tequila a Good Gift?

If someone likes tequila, Hornitos Tequila can be a good gift. In fact, the black-barrel añejo option is one of the better gifts you can give because it has a unique flavor that you won’t get from other types of tequila. On the other hand, it’s not a good gift if someone likes expensive tequila or if they don’t like tequila at all.

What Are Alternatives to Hornitos Tequila?

Hornitos Tequila is a great choice but it’s not always easy to get your hands on it. For this reason, you might want to consider some alternatives. The good news is that plenty of similar options are on the market and the price is close as well. For example, if you like Hornitos’ Añejo tequila, you can choose Goza Tequila’s Añejo Tequila instead.

Additionally, there are alternatives for the reposado options as well. In this case, you can try the Goza Reposado Tequila instead. Plenty of Blanco alternatives are also available if you’re looking for something that’s clear.

Enjoy Hornitos Tequila Today 

flight of tequila shots with lime slices on wooden table

Hornitos Tequila is a great choice if you’re looking to spice things up. With plenty of flavor options to choose from you can’t go wrong with black-barrel añejo, clear tequila, and even reposado. Give Hornitos Tequila a try today or give it as a gift to someone who is yet to experience what a barrel-aged tequila tastes like.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.