Updated April 2026.
There is no official “best José Cuervo.” Especial Gold prints 40% ABV / 80 proof on cuervo.com and is labeled joven — a blend of reposado and younger tequila, not CRT reposado by itself. Especial is mixto: the brand’s own facts page says 51% Blue Weber agave and 49% other sugar. Cuervo’s NOM on that page is 1122. A 1.5-ounce pour at 40% is one NIAAA drink. 100% agave SKUs — Tradicional — read those necks. No 2026 ranking.
Related: Gold vs Silver, tequila at Costco, what is reposado.
Mixto vs 100%
| SKU / language | 1.5 oz drinks |
|---|---|
| Especial Gold | 1.00 |
| Especial (mixto) | — |
| Cuervo NOM | — |
| Tradicional / 100% SKUs | From labeled ABV |
A 750 mL 40% bottle is about 17 drinks. Four Especial pours are four drinks. Gold is not CRT reposado. Pour math: whiskey drinks.
Sources
- cuervo.com/products/especial-gold: 40% ABV–80 proof; joven blend of reposado and younger tequila. cuervo.com/tequila-facts: Especial 51/49; NOM 1122 covers multiple distilleries.
- NOM-006; 27 CFR 5.148. Casamigos is 1609 current / 1416 historical — not this brand. 818 is 1607. Clase Azul tequila is 1595. NIAAA December 2025.