Spirits & Liqueurs Tequila & Mezcal

We Tasted Trader Joe's Distinqt Tequila to Find Out If You Should Buy It

Ah, Trader Joe’s, how we love you. A favorite among the budget-conscious and healthy eaters among us, TJ’s is where you can grab quality produce, earth-friendly skin care products and toiletries without killing your bank account. But did you know you can stock up your liquor cabinet, too? And no, we’re not just talking about Two-Buck Chuck. We mean the hard stuff, folks.

Most of you already know Trader Joe’s sells some good liquor brands (including Milagro and Hendrick’s), but some may not know there are also Trader Joe’s branded spirits. TJ’s has managed to have its own versions of everything from scotch to tequila, but there’s still one question: Are they any good? Even for their extremely low price?

To answer that question, we paired up with Crystal Chasse from San Francisco’s Blackbird and Dirty Habit and tasted them one by one. Our third installment is a review of the Distinqt tequila.

At $22 a bottle, TJ’s reposado tequila is less of a value for the price, and we’re not so sure it’s worth the price tag. On the nose, it comes off citrusy and grassy with some mineral notes. Once it’s sipped, the flavors are lackluster with no beginning or finish. It lays flat on the tongue. This tequila is not a sipper, but it may work well in a cocktail where it’s not the star ingredient. Try it in an El Diablo or a punch for the crowd.

Verdict: For the price, it may be best to look elsewhere.