So how does it do it? Well, bartenders absolutely love the traditionally – and authentically – made 100% agave juice. That allied to an engaged training-forward sales team and a price that comes in at less than a lot of the competition and you have a brand that makes a lot of sense. Our data suggests Tapatio is the top choice in 17% of bars and among the top two sellers in a third. 

In second is another from La Alteña Distillery – Ocho – and it is similarly adored by the trade. In most spirits categories, you can’t have it all – unicorn products that blend quality-driven juice with affordability, but in Tapatio and Ocho the category has two. Ocho was found to be the top seller in 14% of polled bars and among the top two in a quarter. 

Bacardi’s Patrón meanwhile is always a player – though our poll says it’s more likely to be a second choice than a first. Its reputation means that even if it’s not always speed rail-viable, it plays an important role on the back bar. 

Pernod Ricard’s Olmeca Altos is a rung down on price, but offers many of the production credentials of artisanal tequila. It was found to be the top choice in 10% of bars. 

Meanwhile Brown-Forman’s diffuser-made 100% agave tequila El Jimador is a budget pick that could well rise up this list in the coming years, such is the cost burden placed on bars. 

Diageo’s Casamigos brings big-group incentives and, through an embellished taste profile, mass consumer appeal. It was the bestseller in 7% of our poll. Its stablemate Don Julio, meanwhile, seems to be more of a back bar choice – 4% said it was their first choice and 11% their second. 

The Vazquez family-owned Cazcabel registered a place in our list again, this year in eighth, while the much-loved Fortaleza took ninth, with 13% suggesting it was their go-to outside of the rail, while Campari Group’s Espolòn completes our top 10, with a few house pour contracts, according to our poll.