The “World’s Best” Tequila, Gin, and Vodka Were Just Announced, and the Winners Will Surprise You

We all know a few more bottles of booze get opened during the holiday season than just your average day. More parties, friends, and socializing can typically call for more liquor. 

If you’re looking to impress with the bottles you’re serving or gifting this year, listen up: The Tasting Alliance just announced the 2025 Top Shelf 2025 Awards, including the best tequila, gin, and vodka you should be drinking. 

The awards took place earlier this month in San Francisco with over 400 industry professionals, leaders, and drink enthusiasts. The Tasting Alliance — an authority in wine and spirits evaluation since 1980 — hosted the event to recognize 80-ish of the best spirits and ready-to-drink products of the year. Our favorites to learn about: Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco for best tequila, Tanqueray No. TEN for best gin, and High Bank Distillery Co. for best vodka.

For best overall tequila, Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco tequila came out on top. This tequila packs an agave-forward flavor profile (one of the brand’s taglines is “agave obsessed”) with hints of grapefruit, black pepper, cherry, and pear. 

Reviewers of the blanco on Total Wine agreed with the judges’ ruling, with comments stating “one of the best Blanco’s on the market” and “I get floral and citrus, but also earthiness and spice, all intermingling with each other. Definitely worth trying. Really stands out.”

The name translates to “Land of the Volcano,” which pays homage to the volcano eruption that transformed the environment and atmosphere where the tequila is now made in Jalisco, Mexico. The flavors of this tequila also honor the terroir’s heritage, pulling traditional spicy and citric notes from the lowlands and fruity notes from the highlands. Can’t go wrong trying out the Volcán de mi Tierra Blanco tequila in a classic margarita or fruity paloma.

Tanqueray No. TEN took home the best gin, which left some of the editors on our team surprised that such a known and reasonably affordable brand took the top spot. Tanqueray’s no. TEN gin is a small batch-crafted spirit made specifically for cocktails, with notes of fresh grapefruit, citrus heart, and botanicals from its distilling process. Reviewers of the gin on Total Wine’s site also sent the spirit some praise: “It is so smooth and delicious, where has it been all this time? I’m hooked on quality!!!” And can we talk about how iconic the green bottle is? It’s the only thing you need in your freezer to signal “Martini o’clock.” It can definitely stay out on my counter all party long, but not unsupervised. 

Finally, High Bank Distillery Co. Vodka was crowned winner for the best overall vodka of the competition. Made in Columbus, Ohio, the clean and crisp vodka is distilled with organic wheat and locally grown apples for a hint of sweetness.

The brand has a commitment to “more taste, less waste,” with the bottle using 40% less glass than a standard one. Another tasting competition, the Bartender Spirit Awards, also enjoyed this vodka,  saying that the grain base provides a nice creaminess that home bartenders will love. Perhaps a cosmo or moscow mule to put High Bank Distillery Co.’s vodka to the test?