Tequila Herradura Named Tequila of the Year and Spirit of the Year Mexico at the 2026 London Spirits Competition

Herradura Reposado earns Double Gold with 96 points, while Herradura Blanco and Herradura Legend also receive Gold medals

LONDON, United Kingdom (May 7, 2026) — Tequila Herradura, an ultra-premium 100% agave tequila crafted by Casa Herradura, received top honors at the 2026 London Spirits Competition, led by Herradura Reposado, which was named Tequila of the Year and Spirit of the Year Mexico and earned a Double Gold Medal with 96 points. The brand’s award-winning showing also included Gold Medals for Herradura Blanco, which received 95 points, and Herradura Legend, which received 91 points.

The wins mark a strong endorsement from one of the industry’s most commercially minded judging panels, which evaluates spirits not just on taste, but on value for money and shelf appeal—factors that help drive real-world purchase decisions.

Now in its ninth year, the London Spirits Competition judges each entry across three weighted criteria—Quality, Value and Packaging—producing a score that reflects how a spirit performs in the market, not just in a tasting room. Entries are first blind-tasted by a panel of active trade professionals, including spirits buyers, bar managers and mixologists, before price and packaging are factored in.

According to the competition’s tasting notes, Herradura Reposado was recognized as “a well-structured reposado with balanced floral, vanilla, and caramel notes; smooth, with citrus, oak, mild spice, and a long, pleasant finish.”

“These awards are a meaningful recognition of the craftsmanship, heritage and authenticity that have defined Tequila Herradura for more than 150 years,” said William Brooks, Global Brand Ambassador of Tequila Herradura. “As the World’s First Reposado, Herradura Reposado reflects the pioneering spirit of Casa Herradura, with the smooth, expressive character that continues to set it apart. We’re honored to see Reposado recognized on an international stage alongside Herradura Blanco and Herradura Legend, each an example of our enduring commitment to quality, tradition and innovation.”

The competition drew entries from more than 30 countries, with particularly strong representation from the UK, Australia, India, Italy, USA, Mexico and the Netherlands, among others—reflecting the increasingly global character of the spirits industry.

2026 London Spirits Competition Awards for Tequila Herradura

• Herradura Reposado - Double Gold Medal, 96 Points, Tequila of the Year, Spirit of the Year Mexico
• Herradura Blanco - Gold Medal, 95 Points
• Herradura Legend - Gold Medal, 91 Points

“Winning a medal here means your spirits perform across taste, value, and shelf appeal, making it a strong contender in both domestic and international markets,” said Sid Patel, CEO of the London Spirits Competition.

This year’s judging brought together over 70 top industry experts and buyers, including Master Distillers, Master Blenders, Mixologists, and elite buyers. The panel featured names like Stephanie Macleod (Master Blender and Director of Blending, Scotch Whisky for Bacardi), Andrew de Lavis-Trafford (Director of Buying Spirits, Beers, Softs & Champagne at Enotria Winecellars Ltd, UK), Nick Larsson-Bell (Retail Buyer of the Year 2022, Senior Spirits and Beer Buyer at Harvey Nichols), Enrico Chiappini (Senior Bartender at Dukes Hotel), Georgios Chaziris (Head Bartender at Soho House & Co), Billy Leighton (Master Blender Emeritus at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard), Christian Maspes (Food and beverage specialist, sake sommelier & educator, bar project developer), Laura Willoughby MBE (Low and No Alcoholic Drinks Buyer, Founder of Club Soda, The Mindful Drinking Movement) and Craig Wallace (Whisky Creation Leader and Master Blender at Diageo), lending exceptional credibility and insight to the process.

“The authority of a London Spirits Competition award comes from the quality of the judges, the rigour of the process, and the fact that it reflects what consumers and buyers actually want. We’re thrilled that Tequila Herradura performed so well,” said Brooks.

These judges brought a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each entry.

At the International London Spirits Competition, medals are awarded based on a weighted composite score derived from the competition’s three core judging criteria—Quality, Value, and Packaging.

To reflect the importance of how the spirit tastes and performs in the glass, Quality is given double weight in the final score calculation.

The scoring formula is as follows: Final Score = (2 × Quality + Value + Packaging) ÷ 4

This approach ensures that while all three criteria are important, the drinking experience remains the most critical factor, while still accounting for price positioning and shelf appeal.

The London Spirits Competition is judged by a panel of leading spirits buyers with current commercial buying experience, or spirits consultants and experts directly involved in developing new spirit brands or purchasing spirits for resale. Judges represent a diverse range of channels and disciplines, including multiple retailers, convenience stores, distributors, on-trade groups, casual and fine dining establishments, hospitality, and the travel industry.

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About Tequila Herradura

Tequila Herradura is an ultra-premium, 100% agave tequila crafted at Casa Herradura in Amatitán, Jalisco — the birthplace of tequila. Founded in 1870, Casa Herradura is one of the original tequila producers and the creator of the World’s First Reposado TM. For more than 155 years, Tequila Herradura has committed to making tequila the right way—without shortcuts. From hand-harvested blue agave and slow cooking in traditional clay ovens to natural fermentation and aging that exceeds industry standards, every step reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize craft, precision, and quality. Nothing is left to chance. Every detail is shaped with intention—in service of making exceptional tequila.

Please Drink Responsibly.

Tequila, 40% alc./vol. Imported by Brown-Forman, Louisville, KY.