9 Tequila and Bourbon Picks Shoppers Say Are Worth the Splurge

Some bottles aren’t meant to be mixed or hidden behind soda; they’re meant to be appreciated slowly, glass in hand, where every sip tells you why it’s worth the price. Whether it’s tequila aged long enough to take on the depth of bourbon or a single-barrel whiskey that reveals something new each time, these are the bottles that prove quality has character. Each one carries a story of craftsmanship, patience, and balance that earns its place on the top shelf.

1. Don Julio 1942

Don Julio 1942 is the kind of bottle people bring out when a moment needs ceremony. It’s an añejo tequila made from highland agave that’s been slow-cooked and double-distilled, then rested in American white oak for a time that rounds the edges and layers in vanilla and caramel notes. On the palate, you’ll find toffee, toasted oak, and a smooth agave backbone that keeps it lively rather than cloying. Sip it neat in a tulip or Glencairn-style glass at cellar temperature so the aromatics open, or enjoy a single large ice cube to calm the heat without hiding the subtleties. It’s a statement bottle that rewards slow drinking and works well as a finish to a meal.

2. Fortaleza Añejo

Fortaleza represents a traditional, hands-on approach to tequila, and the añejo captures that method in richer form. Made by a small, family-run producer using stone ovens and tahona milling, this tequila leans into authentic agave flavor rather than masking it with heavy barrel influence. Aging softens the sharper herbal edges and brings out caramel, dried fruit, and baking spice. Fortaleza añejo is for people who want complexity without artifice: pour it neat to trace the transition from pure agave to oak-aged warmth, or pair a small pour with orange peel to highlight citrusy notes.

3. Cierto Private Collection Extra Añejo

Cierto Private Collection is pitched at collectors and serious sippers who value barrel selection and extended maturation. Extra añejo expressions like this one are aged longer than standard añejos, which concentrates flavors and often reveals layers of dark chocolate, leather, nut, and deep oak. Because these bottles are meant to be savored slowly, they are best enjoyed in small pours that allow the nose to settle between sips. This is the bottle to bring out for a milestone or to share with friends who appreciate how wood, time, and agave interact in the glass.

4. Clase Azul

Clase Azul is as well known for its bottle as for the spirit inside, and the liquid matches the presentation in richness. The tequila tends to be silky and sweet, with pronounced vanilla, caramel, and baked fruit notes thanks to careful distillation and barrel influence. Its high polish and sweetness make it instantly accessible, which is partly why it commands a premium. Serve it neat to appreciate the texture and the long finish, or use a small pour as a luxurious swap for dessert wine after dinner. It reads as celebratory, and it often closes a gathering on a high note.

5. Código 1530 Origen Extra Añejo

Código 1530 Origen Extra Añejo emphasizes slow aging and thoughtful finishing, producing a tequila with a rounded, refined profile. Expect baked agave, brown sugar, and toasted nuts layered over subtle spice from time in oak. The mouthfeel is usually dense and smooth, which makes it approachable even for those newer to premium tequilas. Drink it neat or with a splash of water to release hidden aromatics. Because it balances oak and agave well, it’s also a good match with dark chocolate or a mild blue cheese if you want a food pairing that stands up to the spirit.

6. Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel (Bourbon)

Four Roses Private Selection is a bourbon program that lets distilleries or retailers choose single barrels with specific yeast and mashbill combinations, and the results are often layered and unique. A private selection bottle typically shows concentrated caramel, baking spices, dried fruit, and a grain-forward backbone. Single-barrel character means each release has distinct highlights, which is part of the appeal for collectors and enthusiasts. Serve slightly below room temperature in a tulip or rocks glass; a drop or two of water can open up vanilla and floral notes. It’s a splurge that rewards exploration of nuance.

7. Michter’s 10-Year Bourbon

Michter’s 10-Year is built on an age statement and a reputation for careful selection, and that combination translates into a complex, polished pour. With a decade of maturation, expect deep oak, toffee, toasted nuts, and warm spice layered over a firm corn sweetness. The texture is usually round and velvety, giving the bourbon presence without aggressive heat. This is a contemplative sipper best enjoyed neat or with a single large ice cube that cools without diluting quickly. It’s the sort of bottle to bring out when you want a focused tasting moment rather than a casual mixed drink.

8. Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Old

Old Grand-Dad 16 Year Old represents an extended-aged variant of a classic rye-forward bourbon house style, and the extra time in barrel accentuates oak, toasted caramel, and deep spice. Expect a forward rye spice in the midpalate that keeps the sweetness from feeling flat, with lingering tobacco and leather notes from long aging. Because the spirit carries more oxidative and woody character, pour small measures and let each sip rest on the tongue to register the complexity. It’s a bottle that appeals to those who enjoy assertive flavor profiles and the hallmark of long maturation.

9. Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel (Bourbon)

Rock Hill Farms is a single-barrel bourbon known for its classic, full-flavored profile and consistent quality across releases. Bottled from a single cask, it typically highlights caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, and a pleasant spice that sits under the sweetness. Single barrel bottlings like this one can show little variations from barrel to barrel, but they consistently deliver a refined, approachable bourbon experience. Enjoy it neat or with a splash of water to unlock brown sugar and citrus peel notes. It’s a reliable splurge for someone who wants a top-shelf pour without gimmicks.