Kara Newman

Spirits Editor

Kara Newman is the Spirits Editor for Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and author of Cocktails for a Crowd (coming in Spring 2013) and Spice & Ice: 60 tongue-tingling cocktails, both from Chronicle Books. An active member of the New York cocktail and mixology scene, she loves dive bars and speakeasies alike.

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Casa Dragones Tequila Joven Sipping Tequila

Price $275

Although billed as a joven, this Tequila is blended with a touch of añejo. The end result is extraordinarily smooth, with a very sweet, fruity, almost wine-like nose but a bold, pure peppery flavor that finishes cleanly. The packaging is gift-worthy, presenting the bottle in a gold-and-robin’s egg blue box, like a precious jewel. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Cazul 100 Tequila Añejo Reserva

Best Buy

Price $40

Luscious and bright, this Tequila offers ripe banana and baked pear flavors, with a piquant and peppery finish. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Partida Elegante Extra Añejo Tequila

Price $350

This super-smooth, limited-edition Tequila is aged up to 40 months in American oak. Bright, with a rich golden color, there is an initial flurry of black pepper, sprightly jalapeño and vanilla notes that settle into a warm, mellow crème brûlée groove. Lovely gift-worthy packaging includes a black leather strap tied around the neck of the hefty bottle, plus a… — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Paqui Silvera Tequila

Best Buy

Price $40

Wine yeast is used in the fermentation of this blanco Tequila. Hard to say if that’s the reason for its lovely and complex flavors, spanning lemon and grapefruit, vanilla and zingy pepper, plus an unexpected mineral-like note, but this bright, smooth Tequila is still a beauty. A top pick for Paloma cocktails. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Vida Tequila Reposado

Price $55

This pale gold reposado will spruce up margaritas and other cocktails. It’s sweet, smooth and honeyed, with just the right amount of jalapeño tingle and a hint of creamy citrus on the exit. The packaging is luxe-looking too, white with light blue, with an attractive squared bottle inside. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Gran Dovejo Añejo

Price $55

Inside the attractive squared bottle, the aromas and flavors of this highlands Tequila tend toward honey, with light touches of tropical fruit, jalapeño and a fleeting floral note on the elongated, rounded finish. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Luna Nueva Tequila Añejo

Price $45

Consider this limited edition Tequila for a dessert pairing. The light gold spirit has a sweet vanilla and coconut aroma and creamy caramel flavor, with a bit of cayenne pepper sizzle on the finish. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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Calende Tequila Añejo

Best Buy

Price $28

On the nose and palate, this pale gold Tequila features sweet, creamy vanilla perked up with jalapeño, black pepper and bell pepper. — K.N. (5/1/2013)

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2010 Pence Ranch Westslope

This is sourced from the winery's steepest and most wind-exposed blocks…

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