Silver tequilas are unaged tequilas, the type you usually get when you order premium tequila without specifying. They are the brightest tasting, which means that they pack a real punch, and go well with mixed drinks and as shots. Good tequila doesn’t come cheap (average around $40 or more per bottle), but it’s up to you what type of hangover/night you want to have, and you should always try to stay with products that are 100% blue agave to make sure you’re on point. There’s a ton of silver tequilas out there, and a lot of really really good ones, so check our review of the best silver tequilas on the market, in our humble Complex (a.k.a. awesome and correct) opinion…

BEST ALL AROUND TEQUILA: DON JULIO BLANCO
COST: Around $42 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Agave aromas on the nose with hints of fresh citrus—lemon, lime and grapefruit. The taste is light, sweet, and has a pure agave flavor that becomes peppery and finishes long. Classy and pure, with a clean and fresh finish that keeps the pepper moving across grass undertones.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: Don Julio is the cool guy bartender’s Patron alternative. Patron is great, always. Don Julio is better (?) – maybe. Either way, we’re down with the taste, the botte, and the branding on this one. It has similar notes to a Patron, but it’s a bit more complex (ha get it? Complex!) in the palate, which makes for awesome margaritas. It goes down as a really smooth shot when chilled or on the rocks with a splash of juice. Learn and love this one. 4.5/5
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BEST PRICE ACCESSIBLE/PARTY TEQUILA: SAUZA HORNITOS PLATA
COST: Around $30 (700ml)
TASTING NOTES: The Hornitos aromas consist of intense fruit, spice, and floral aspects followed by moderate earth. This Plata has mild aromas of smoke and is a light tequila with mellow mouth feel and moderate agave flavor.
COMPLEX SAYS: Mischeive indeed. Compared to some of the ultra-premium tequilas we tasted, Hornitos is a bit lower on the price scale but all things considered it goes down well. It’s made with 100% blue agave (a must to keep nasty hangovers at bay) and it’s a quality mellow silver tequila that we think is perfect for mixing cocktails – tequila/pineapple, tequila/ginger, etc. If the bartender pulls this out for you, you’re good. If you’ve got a blender and are going in this weekend (check this one, it’s the best), you’ll be psyched. 3/5.
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FIRST TRY AWESOMENESS: TRES GENERACIONES PLATA
COST: around $46 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: A fleshy agave nose with hints of citrus and sweet floral notes. The taste of the tequila has an initial spiciness on a background of herbs and fresh agave, and is exceptionally well balanced with no bite or burn. The finish of the tequila has a lingering hot spice pepper that fades into a clean and cool finish.
COMPLEX SAYS: This tequila has a fruity nose to it at first encounter that opens into a solid peppery taste when you take it in- THIS IS TEQUILA! It’s clean and the flavors distribute evenly across the tongue and we think it makes for a great margarita. Make it on the strong side if you go this route – this stuff is really high level and good enough to hold without too much dressing up. You might want to try it straight with a few wedges of lime over ice in a salted glass, it’s that good. Be careful though-pour it too long for the first few drinks and you’re going to be in nutso town before you know it. 4.5/5
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WHEN YOU CAN HAVE WHATEVER YOU LIKE: PATRON SILVER
COST: $40
TASTING NOTES: Patron Silver is a crystal clear, ultra premium tequila. Smooth, soft and light with a dried pineapple-like agave nose leads into a light-to medium bodied palate of roasted citrus that finishes with a white pepper.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: It’s Patron! Essentially our “control” (haha) of the group, as it’s the most well known and most often poured when we’re rocking the back table at the Spearmint Rhino (Crec we see you!). The taste is great, but we love this stuff because it tastes like tequila and you can still drink it all night. Tequila that goes down smooth and mixes with everything? Sign us up. Oh, and the drink so far of the summer has been Patron and Ginger. Try it this weekend, guaranteed to have a crew following suit. 4/5
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FOR STRAIGHT ROCKING OUT: CABO WABO BLANCO
COST: about $40 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco immediately arouses the senses with fresh floral aromas complemented by notes of lime and mint. Full agave flavors and a slightly spicy character that teases the palate, and delivers a crisp, clean finish that will leave you feeling energized and refreshed.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: Cabo Wabo is Sammy Hagar (of Van Halen)’s tequila. He liked the drink so much he figured, “Hey, why not go make my own?” And he’s done a pretty good job of it. Unfortunately the actual taste of this tequila is often overshadowed by lovers or haters of Hagar, but as a premium silver tequila we are 100% down with the man. It’s hard to have a reason to specifically switch from Patron to this, but if you see this on the bar you should be happy. 4/5
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FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS/GETTING FANCY WITH IT: JOSE CUERVO PLATINO
COST: about $50 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Deep, mult-ilayered, and varied aromas that lead to an exceptionally smooth and effortless entry (Ed. Note-PAUSE). Silky, dry-yet-fruity full bodied taste that finishes with a very long and spicy fade of honey, salt, exotic peppercorns, and green herbs. Elegant, vibrant, and delicious with a superbly smooth texture and a very complex agave character supported by a kiss of spicy oak. A truly unique blanco tequila.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: This stuff is nuanced, flavorful, drinkable, and fancy as crap, but we kind of could tell from the packaging – a wax bottle top covering and the wood box that held it. This is a next level, graduate from college type of tequila shot- way way way beyond the Cuervo you stole out of your parent’s liquor closet in high school. A definite “Special Occasion” spirit right here. 5/5
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TOP MARGARITA TEQUILA: HERRADURA SILVER
COST: about $38 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: This colorless tequila has a pungent attack with light to moderate agave intensity. It has a nice, full feel on the tongue with slight sweetness, followed by an astringent drying of the palate. Moderate earth and pepper with slight floral flavors are dominated by the heavy distilled flavors. Aftertaste is surprisingly short, with no single flavor at the forefront.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: This stuff is awesome, and our top pick for the margarita category. This guy sits right in the middle price-wise, and the bottle is cool. Order it by name at most normal bars, and keep a bottle on your shelf for these last few summer weekends of awesomeness. 3.5/5
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BEST BOTTLE FOR YOUR HOME: CORZO SILVER
COST: about $50 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: Clear, with a dry light-to medium-bodied palate. Flavors of tropical fruit and peppery spice harmoniously blended to create a delicate finish. Incredibly smooth. Impeccably clean.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: Sometimes a fancy bottle is there to throw you off of an average product. Not so much with Corzo. This is an exceptionally smooth and drinkable tequila, whether you’re looking for something straight or with minimal mix (splash of pineapple, orange). We don’t see this at a lot of lower-level bars, but it’s a great tequila to have at your house – the bottle impresses. 4/5
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BEST IN SHOW: SINGLE ESTATE TEQUILA OCHO (2009)
COST: about $70 (750ml)
TASTING NOTES: It has a sweetly floral nose with extra ripe agaves and candied fruit presenting themselves. We detect citrus, cinnamon, dried fruit and almond on the palate with a lingering hint of spearmint on the finish.
WHAT COMPLEX SAYS: This stuff is vintaged, like a wine, so each year it tastes a little different. The bottle itself looks fancy, but when you taste this, you’re gonna be blown away. Tons of flavor, smooth going down, and good for just about anything. Except for your pocket, of course. Oh well. Can’t win em all. 5/5

Age: 21

Occupation: Video Artist/Animator

Home Base: Austin, Texas

What’s your guilty pleasure?: ONTD.

Dealbreaker for a guy/girl: Being short with nothing interesting to say.

What is your go-to drink?: Tequila.

What was your best/worst date?: I don’t like dates.

Biggest turn-on: When he knows how to style himself.

Biggest trend turn-off on a guy: Extremely gelled hair.

Favorite rap song of all time: “Sweat” by Juiceboxxx.

What inspires your style?: Goth culture.

What country has the best style?: Eastern European countries.

Keep reading for more info on Caitlin…

What movie best captures your style?: Daisies and Smithereens.

Who has wack style?: Lady fucking GaGa.

What trend do you want to see die?: Cheap jersey dresses.

Last clothing item you purchased: A purple and maroon striped blazer

Most money you ever spent on a single item of clothing: $115

Favorite website: Style.com

Favorite online shop: Pixie Market.

What do you collect?: Lost souls.

What is your favorite brand?: Alexander Wang & Rick Owens.

What is your favorite tech gadget?: My iPhone and my Kodak Zi6 HD camera.

What do guys dig about your style? That I put an effort into getting dressed.

What’s the most common statement people make about your style? Nice outfit….?

What’s the item currently in your closet you most regret buying?: I don’t regret any of my clothes, I buy only what I love.

What do you see as the next big trend?: Anything my friends and I are into at the moment.

What is your favorite city?: Tie between Prague and New York City

What is your dream job?: Film maker/ Animator/ Installation artist.

Who is your dream date?: The boy version of myself.

Last book read: “The Book of Lies” edited by Richard Metzger.

What is your trend proof style advice for our readers?: Detail is key.

Want to be featured in our weekly Sweet Detail (or daily Street Detail) blog? Email a head-to-toe picture of yourself to: streetdetail@complex.com

Sweet Detail photo by: Naqeeb Stevens

Although Hagar’s involvement with the spirit may have been a bit under-the-radar, Cabo Wabo has been rivaling Patron and other ultra-premiums for more than a decade. When you order this afternoon’s round of “Thank Gods,” consider showing the dude some love (he’s on his grizzy!) and give CW a try. After the jump, watch a video of Sammy breaking down the history of tequila and showing off his arm tattoo.

[NOTCOT]