I tried 25 olive oils and the best is one you can buy in bulk

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Olive oils vary as widely as wine does. Each oil can taste different depending on where it’s grown or when it’s harvested: from mild to robust, gentle to spicy. Some are meant for cooking, while others taste best with zero exposure to heat. 

With the hundreds of brands of olive oil on the market, it can be a challenge to decide what’s best for each application. I picked 25 bottlings of some of the most popular brands on the market right now, and tasted each of them in the traditional style: swirled, sniffed, then sipped and aerated in the mouth, then used them in various cooking applications over the course of a month to see how they performed in real life.

The best olive oil in 2022:

Best olive oil overall: Corto Truly
Besides being a great olive oil in general, Corto Truly comes packaged in a well-designed 3-liter box that prevents its contents from oxidation.

Best budget olive oil: California Olive Ranch
There’s a reason California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a best-seller — it’s got complexity, it’s versatile, is regularly available in most stores, and all at an accessible price point. 

Best splurge olive oil: Domenica Fiore Reserva
Domenica Fiore Reserva is a luxurious olive oil that is perfect for drizzling over a beautifully grilled aged steak or fish — every drop is undeniably flavorful.

Best olive oil for cooking: Graza Sizzle
Graza Sizzle is a Spanish standout that holds up well to heat and has a pleasant and mild flavor profile that also lets you create aiolis and marinades with a more subtle olive flavor.

Best olive oil for dressings: Kosterina Everyday
Kosterina Organic Everyday has a fresh, delicate flavor ideal for salads or dipping, packed in a Santorini blue bottle.

Best olive oil for drizzling: Villa Manodori, $1.29 per ounce, available on Amazon and Eataly
Villa Manodori delivers the flavor and complexity you’d expect from an oil that comes with the seal of approval from a Michelin-starred chef.

Best olive oil for gifting: Branche No. 1 & No. 2
Two types of olive oil — one gentle, one robust — are included in this stylish, elegant bottling from Branche that comes from Andalucia.