The News
Tequila Herradura, an ultra-premium 100% agave tequila, received top honors at the 2026 London Spirits Competition. Herradura Reposado was named Tequila of the Year and Spirit of the Year Mexico, earning a Double Gold Medal with 96 points. Herradura Blanco and Herradura Legend also received Gold Medals with scores of 95 and 91 respectively. The competition took place in London on May 7, 2026.
At the 2026 London Spirits Competition, Herradura Reposado earned a Double Gold score of 96 points—an achievement that signals strong performance in an industry where category growth has accelerated 301 % since 2003 (Distilled Spirits Council). The award arrives amid a global tequila market projected to grow at 8.5 % CAGR through 2030, offering trade partners a clear benchmark for premium positioning.
Shelf placement and pricing drive sales, so a single award can change how a product is viewed throughout the channel.
Herradura’s win at the London Spirits Competition—named Tequila of the Year and Spirit of the Year Mexico—shows how premium reposados are judged against international criteria. The brand earned a Double Gold score of 96 on a weighted system that emphasizes quality, highlighting Herradura’s capacity for complexity at a competitive price.
Herradura Reposado, launched in 1974 as the first commercially available reposado tequila, spends 11 months in charred American white‑oak barrels—well above the two-month legal minimum. The barrels were sourced from Brown‑Forman cooperage and previously held bourbon casks, adding depth to the spirit’s flavor profile.
The longer aging boosts flavor and places Herradura among higher‑priced reposados competing against established brands and new craft producers. With judges from over 30 countries—including master blenders and retail buyers—the award carries international credibility.
Operators can view this as proof of cross‑market acceptance, which may support expanding shelf space or targeted promotions in both on‑premise and off‑premise venues. The award aligns with a $15.7 bn global tequila market expected to grow at 8.5 % annually through 2030 (DSC), indicating that premium reposados have room to grow.
Distributors note that Herradura sells under $40 per 750 ml in the U.S., a price point that balances margin and accessibility. The Double Gold rating combined with this price suggests buyers can carry a premium offering while maintaining profit.
Bars looking for award‑winning tequila may increase shelf space or promote the Reposado in cocktail mix kits. The 11‑month charred‑oak aging shapes a distinct flavor profile that sets Herradura apart on busy cocktail menus, and bartenders can use the aging story in staff training and promotional materials.
Original Press Release
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.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Tequila Herradura Named Tequila Of The Year And Spirit Of The Year Me…
- London Spirits Competition Announces 2026 Winners
- Winners Announced In London Wine And Spirits Competitions 2026
- Herradura Marks 50 Years Of Reposado With Masters Win
- Herradura
- The Worlds Best Tequila According To The 2026 London Spirits Competition
Source: BevNET