What is a good tequila that I can buy for under $50\1.75L, that isn't Jose Cuervo?

Try Pepe Lopez.

Side question which isn’t deserving of its own: A decent Scotch, not too expensive. Do they even exist? Only tried and true, please.

My brother the mixologist likes 30–30.

Patron, El Grito, Hornitos-Made by Sauza, Two fingers.
Anything 100% agave is usually good. Quervo is diesel fuel compared to these others I listed. To me , the clear tequilas are smoother.

PATRON! Its pricey, but wellll woorrrtttthhhh itttt.

Two Fingers!

I don’t know prices, but Patron and 1800 are my faves. They taste like you ascended to Heaven and took a bite out of a cloud and washed it down with angel tears.

Ok… time for the Mexican to have a say.
If you want a quality tequila you need to first figure out what kind you like.

Tequila Blanco: Clear liquid with a higher alcohol content that makes it potent and gives it a strong flavor. (55 ºGL).

Tequila Joven (young tequila): Color varies from golden to amber and has a slightly lower alcohol content (in Mexico the GL scale is used) between 36 & 46 ºGL.

Tequila Reposado: Mostly 100% agave with a slightly woodsy taste and a 38º GL score.

Tequila Añejo (aged): Flavor with strong hints of wood with an amber or copper color, plenty dark and plenty delicious.

Tequila extra añejo (self explanatory i would think) :Has to be put through a maturation process of AT LEAST 3 years. Tastes similar to añejo.

100% agave tequila and those that say “Tequila 100% puro agave”, are produced using only agave derived sugars.

Having said that ONE of the previous suggestions is a good quality tequila (Hornitos by Sauza) but i would strongly recommend you try:
3 Generaciones,
1800 (reposado is better for this particular brand… liquid orgasm i guarantee), Herradura (also reposado),
Don Julio (both kinds)
(the last 2 are moderately priced and well within your range)
Corralejo and Tradicional are also good choices.

Hope this helped. Enjoy and Salud!

Forgot to add there are 3 BASIC ways of drinking tequila (obviously it is a bit more complicated once you get into the actual mixing):

1) Straight shots (good for a fast buzz and chance face-floor encounters)

2) Mixed drinks (margarita, paloma, etc…)

3) Best way by far is to pour 2–3 fingers of tequila in a small brandy snifter, cup it in your hands and swirl… your body heat will in turn warm the tequila releasing the aroma and most of the flavor. Sip to your heart’s content. (no shots in this method).

Enjoy :)

(one thing about Patron… price does not always equal quality.. it is a very decent tequila.. but it is wildly overrated and extremely over priced)

@Dr_C : Crimeny… did you go to Tequila school, or does every Mexican have this knowledge? I’m US American, but I don’t know all that jazz about Kentucky Bourbon!

@Zen My everyday scotch is Ballantines.
As for the Tequila if you are sipping the elixer straight get the good agave. Mixing for margaritas, the white cheapo stuff. Remember to add the Triple Sec.

@ubersiren actually i’m mexican american, i just love to read about EVERYTHING and learn as much as i can… mostly useless info but sometimes it comes in handy… like today. :)

I’m throwing in my support for Two Fingers. I only drink clear tequilas and that one is a favorite for me.

@zen. Try highland park. It’s a lovely highland single malt. Not too peaty and reasonable in price. Have a snort for me.