A lot of the hotels in the state of Jalisco can arrange a tour for you. Just email them. Generally these are pretty good but 1) they aren't cheap 2) it can mean many hours on a bus with a bunch of drunk Canadians just getting to some of the estates.
If you are in Puerto Vallarta there are (or used to be, it has been 2 years) some quality tasting rooms where you can enjoy a particular brand. I discovered a few brands there prior to their introduction into the US market.
Many of the hotels will have tequila tastings. I think it is one of the best ways to try a range of brands at the same time, side-by-side, to really find what qualities you prefer in your tequila. The problem with tasting rooms is that you are limited to their brand(s).
There are government certified tequila specialists in Mexico similar to a sommelier called a Mexcalier. Some of hotels employ them to run their tasting courses. They not only tell you about the brands, but the region, soil, culture, trends, politics, back room power plays to control brands....lots of interesting stuff that you will never hear at a brand specific estate or tasting room. .
I would seek out tequila that is estate grown and processed. I would also seek out certified organic. There are a few of each. Otherwise, you are buying a brand name that is grow in multiple areas and then blended for taste in another. If you are going to the region, then the estate route gives you a special reason for an on- site visit. You get to see the soil, the area and watch it being processed.
I used to drink reposado most of the time. But, after hanging out in Jalisco I noticed that the majority of tequila growers drink blanco neat. Why? Because that way they taste the pure tequila/agave flavor. I now prefer it to Anejo or Reposado unless I am smoking a cigar. However, I do use Anejo and Reposado in cooking for extra flavor.
