The 5 Tequila Categories Explained: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo & Beyond

The tequila shelf at LCBO in 2026 looks nothing like it did ten years ago. Where there used to be three or four bottles, there are now dozens across five distinct aging categories. Each category is defined by exactly how long the tequila spent in oak — and that single variable changes everything: colour, flavour, texture, price, and which drink it belongs in.

This is the complete guide to the five tequila categories every Toronto bar and home drinker should know. What each one is, how it tastes, what it costs, and when to reach for it.

1. Blanco (Silver / Plata) — Unaged

Blanco tequila spends less than two months in oak — usually stainless steel — before bottling. It's the purest expression of agave: bright, vegetal, peppery, with the bell-pepper-and-lime character that people either love or don't understand. This is what most tequila cocktails call for. Margaritas, Palomas, Ranch Water — all Blanco drinks.

The taste is aggressive and unmediated. If you want to actually taste what tequila is, drink Blanco. Popular Toronto picks: Casamigos Blanco, 1800 Blanco, and Don Julio Blanco. Price range: $50-80 at LCBO.

2. Reposado — 'Rested', 2-12 Months in Oak

Reposado (Spanish for 'rested') spends between 2 months and 12 months in oak barrels — usually American or French white oak. The oak softens the agave punch and adds vanilla, caramel, and light spice. Colour goes from clear to pale gold.

This is the tequila for sipping on the rocks or in slightly more refined cocktails — Tequila Old Fashioned, Añejo Manhattan variations. Casamigos Reposado and 1800 Reposado are the accessible picks. Price: $80-130.

3. Añejo — 'Aged', 1-3 Years in Oak

Añejo tequila spends between 1 and 3 years in smaller oak barrels — often ex-bourbon casks. The extra time deepens the amber colour, softens any remaining agave bite, and layers in dried fruit, tobacco, and dark caramel notes. It drinks more like a young Scotch or bourbon than what most people think of as tequila.

This is a sipping tequila — neat, in a rocks glass, at the end of a meal. Not for shots. Not for cocktails except at the most premium level. Don Julio Añejo and Herradura Añejo are common LCBO picks. Price: $100-180.

4. Extra Añejo — 3+ Years in Oak (Since 2006)

Introduced as an official category in 2006, Extra Añejo requires a minimum of 3 years in oak. Some bottles push to 5, 7, or even 10 years. At this point, the tequila drinks more like a fine cognac or aged rum — the agave is a whisper, the oak dominates with heavy vanilla, toasted coconut, dark chocolate, and dried fruit.

Extra Añejo is unquestionably the after-dinner category. Serve in a Glencairn or small snifter, at room temperature, in small pours. Notable examples: Don Julio 1942, Clase Azul Ultra, Herradura Selección Suprema. Price starts around $200 and climbs fast.

5. Cristalino — Extra Añejo, Filtered Clear

Cristalino is the newest official category. It's an Añejo or Extra Añejo that's been charcoal-filtered to remove the amber colour, leaving a clear liquid that still carries the oak-aged flavours. The result is a tequila that looks like Blanco but tastes like Añejo — a genuinely unique category.

Cristalino appeals to drinkers who want the sipping-tequila experience but prefer the visual and mouthfeel of unaged spirits. Don Julio 70 was the breakthrough Cristalino at LCBO. Casa Dragones Joven is another. Price: $140-250.

How to Choose the Right Tequila Category

The rule for Toronto home bars: Blanco for cocktails, Reposado for sipping OR premium cocktails, Añejo/Extra Añejo for pure sipping. If you can only own one bottle, own a Blanco — it covers the widest range of use cases. If you own two, add a Reposado. Beyond that, buy Añejo when you want to have something serious for guests or nightcaps.

The single biggest tequila mistake at LCBO is buying an Añejo for margaritas. The oak flavours get lost in the citrus and salt — you're paying premium for something you can't taste. Save Añejo for the rocks glass.

Mixto vs 100% Agave — The Line That Matters

Beyond the five aging categories, there's one more distinction that changes everything: mixto tequila versus 100% agave tequila. Mixto is legally allowed to contain up to 49% non-agave sugars (usually cane sugar or corn syrup) — this is the category of the cheapest tequila brands and the reason mixto has a rough hangover reputation. 100% agave means exactly what it says: the tequila is made only from Weber Blue Agave, nothing else.

Every serious tequila brand at LCBO is 100% agave. Casamigos, Don Julio, Herradura, Patrón, 1800 — all pure agave, all across the price spectrum. The Jose Cuervo Especial Gold you might see in a bar bottle is mixto — the Cuervo brand also has 100% agave lines (like Tradicional and Reserva de la Familia) at higher price points. Always check the label: '100% de Agave' or '100% Puro de Agave' is what you want to see.

The taste difference is real — mixto tequila has a slight chemical or sweetened edge that 100% agave doesn't. The hangover difference is real too. Congeners from added sugars are harder on your body than pure fermented agave. If you're going to drink tequila cocktails at any volume, sticking to 100% agave brands is worth the extra $10-15 per bottle.

Ordering Tequila in Toronto and the GTA

J&J Alcohol Delivery stocks all five tequila categories with same-day delivery across Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Brampton, and the wider GTA. Whether it's a bottle of Casamigos Blanco for margaritas or Casamigos Reposado for a proper nightcap, delivery is 30-60 minutes. Call (437) 328-0030 or order online. Every tequila we deliver is 100% agave — no mixto blends in the catalog.