Review: Tres Generaciones Tequilas – Plata, Reposado, and Anejo (Updated 2025)
Tres Generaciones is an old school tequila brand. The premium offering from the Sauza portfolio launched in 1977 when it was difficult to find many tequila options at most American bars. How times have changed. We first reviewed the core portfolio – plata, reposado, and anejo – back in 2009, and even in that time, the agave spirits world has transformed drastically. Since our first taste of the brand, Tres Generaciones has remained seemingly unchanged except for a new bottle design (for the better) and a few, more recent additions to the lineup. Even prices seem to have stayed almost the same. Still, we’re way overdue for a revisit of the tequila itself. Our original reviews are below, along with a fresh look at this classic tequila trio.
All are 80 proof. NOM 1102.
Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila Review (2025)
Still a respectable and very approachable blanco with a restrained sweetness and surprisingly dialed back agave profile. On the nose, it’s fresh and bright with cane sugar, a bit of lemon peel, and mild undertones of agave syrup. On the palate, early notes of vanilla bean and subtler agave pulp give way to a juicy, citrusy midpalate accented with a bit of white pepper. The finish is medium length and warming with cooling wintergreen and cooked agave. Still a straightforward tequila without a ton of vegetal character but showing a little more complexity than our first sip all those years ago. It remains a solid sipper and even better cocktail base. A- / $42 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila Review (2009)
This is a very respectable blanco tequila, extremely silky, lightly sweet with solid, but not overpowering, agave character. The sweetness has a fairly vanilla note to it, which harmonizes well with the fresh taste provided by the agave. The nose is actually stronger than the body. That said, this is a pretty simple tequila in the end, so those looking for a complicated range of flavors in their blanco may be let down. Very nice on its own or, especially, in cocktails, where it won’t overpower the drink. A- / $40 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila Review (2025)
The nose on this reposado expression is almost lighter than the plata and similarly devoid of much agave character. Instead, barrel notes dominate with soft vanilla bean and even softer baking spice. Buried deep underneath that are trace aromas of roasted bell pepper that build modestly as it opens. The palate is more rustic than our first tasting in 2009 with a peppery entry of oak, spice cabinet, and sweet vanilla taffy. On the midpalate, a bit of agave syrup turns quickly to buttery caramel before dissolving on a warm, medium-length finish accented with cinnamon sugar and clove. Chris was impressed with the added barrel notes when he first reviewed this expression, but the latest rendition is a bit unbalanced, masking further what was already a minimal agave profile. Still a solid option for cocktailing and those who don’t love greener tequilas. B+ / $48 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Tres Generaciones Reposado Tequila Review (2009)
This reposado spends just about two months in oak, giving it a very light gold color. Flavor is quite similar to the plata — vanilla and pure agave, simple and totally without any “burn.” The time in oak comes forward in the finish, with light caramel and just a hint of smokiness coming into play. I’m not normally a reposado fan — preferring the intricate whiskey-like character of good anejos — but the Tres Generaciones won me over. For once I even prefer it to the blanco… though I can’t wait to see what 3G has done with its anejo, which spends a year or more in barrels. A / $44 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequila Review (2025)
Based on the nose, I would almost peg this as the reposado expression. There is more evidence of agave in my glass even with six times the amount of barrel aging. Top notes of roasted agave and caramelized sugar are clean and nicely balanced with a freshness akin to the plata. The palate is round, if still light-bodied like the rest, evidence of that extra time in cask. The barrel notes are better structured than the reposado with lush toffee, brown sugar, and even a bit of maple candy. Those elements dull the agave character perhaps even more, but that can almost be forgiven in a classic anejo expression. Still, hints of agave syrup and grilled tropical fruits on the midpalate are prominent enough to add depth and complexity before fading with an easy warmth into a finish of minted syrup, cinnamon sugar, and sauteed peppers. Not bold. Not green. But fans of more traditional tequilas will find plenty to enjoy here whether neat or in their next Cadillac marg. A- / $50 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequila Review (2009)
Though it spends six times the amount of time in oak barrels as 3G’s reposado (“at least” 12 months vs. about 2 months), this anejo is barely darker in color than its younger bro. The body, however, is discernibly creamier, with that same vanilla core, smoky touches, and light, lacy agave throughout, just a little rounder on the edges. Clearly siblings, you could likely serve this anejo to someone, claim it was reposado, and get away with it, no problem. The only major difference — vanilla from the wood overpowers the natural agave character in the spirit in the agave. Not a bad thing, just a matter of personal taste. These two tequilas are very similar in the end; I have a slight preference for the anejo, but either one does the job. (You’ll find it for pretty much the same price as the reposado, too.) A / $46 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
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