Tequilas, in all its forms and types, is often considered being one of the most popular Mexican exports. Its popularity continues to grow worldwide, with new specialties springing up everywhere tequila is made.
One of these types is “Aged Tequilas” which are classified according to their aging process and the type of wood used for maturation. Like wine, tequilas are aged in wooden casks, giving them their unique flavor characteristics.
Tequilas can be divided into three major categories depending on how they are aged:
Traditional or Purist Tequilas
Made by blending multiple batches together before bottling, no additives are allowed except water to reduce proof if necessary.
No Artificially Flavored Tequilas
Made by blending multiple batches together before bottling, no additives are allowed except water to reduce proof if necessary.
Artificially Flavored Tequilas
Made by adding flavors and/or sweeteners after distillation or maturation, artificial flavorings are often used in order to reproduce various taste characteristics.
Of the three types of tequila, only traditional tequilas are 100% agave with no additives. Aged tequilas have recently become immensely popular with introducing new brands, each with its own aging process and resulting flavor profile.
The most common methods for aging include:
Wood Aging
Most commonly used for lower-end aged tequilas and mixtos, resulting in a milder flavor with less agave character.
Sherry Aging
Known for imparting fruity notes like raisins and almonds along with a distinctive color.
Secondary Aging
The method most commonly used by the well-aged tequilas, aging is usually achieved by blending old batches of tequila with newer ones to create more complex flavors.
So whether you are drinking your favorite 100% agave silver or prefer one of its high-end premium counterparts – no matter what kind, remember that each has its own unique characteristics waiting to be discovered!
Below are Five Types of Best Aged Tequilas
Patron Extra Anejo 10 Anos
An exceptional tequila, Patron’s extra Anejo is aged for ten years in American oak. The result is a light amber color and soft vanilla flavors balanced with hints of caramel, figs, and almonds.
Patron Anejo is created by blending multiple batches before bottling. As a result, this tequila has a very smooth finish and is ideal for sipping or mixing in premium cocktails.
The brand which is considered the oldest release is with limited availability will be available in specialty liquor stores.
Patron Extra Anejo is 100% agave tequila; the name Anejo means “aged” or “vintage.” While some lower-end brands use wood chips to artificially age their products, others like Patron take the time and expense required to ensure that their product matures gracefully for years.
Patron Añejo is aged for one year in American oak barrels, followed by ten years in used bourbon barrels from Jack Daniels. This process results in a deep amber color and soft vanilla flavors balanced with hints of caramel, figs, and almonds. Like all tequilas from this top-shelf brand, Patron’snejo is blended before bottling.
John Paul DeJoria, an entrepreneur best known for the Paul Mitchell hair care products empire, originally launched the Patron line. He co-founded the Patrón Spirits Company with Martin Crowley in 1989 and continues to be involved in all aspects of the company.
El Tesoro Extra Anejo
El Tesoro has been importing tequila into the US since 1947. As of February 2010, it has become one of only six tequilas with this distinction.
Until recently, the company was best known for its classic line of silver, reposado, and Anejo tequilas. But earlier this year, El Tesoro released an extra-añejo expression that is aged in bourbon barrels for four to five years before bottling. Bottles are selling at $100 around, but you can find them online for less than half that price. El Tesoro’s logo is distinctive; two green serpents surround the name on either side “La Serpiente” with a crown above and a sword below.
Dulce Vida Extra Anejo
Dulce Vida is a brand of 100% agave tequila introduced to the US in 2006. It has three expressions; an extra-Anejo, reposado, and silver (Blanco) tequila
The extra-añejo expression is aged for four years or more before bottling, resulting in a reddish-amber color and imparting flavors like dried cherry and cinnamon that complement the vanilla and spicy agave character.
Dulce Vida’s name means “sweet life” in Spanish, most likely referencing their slogan: “Live La Dulce Vida.” The company was founded by four partners working with distiller Maria Teresa Lara Lopez, who works closely with Carlos Camarena at his distillery in Mexico. Reposado and white (silver) expressions were introduced in 2009 and 2010, respectively, and can be found online for between $50 and $60 per bottle.
El Mayor Cristalino
El Mayor is a 100% agave tequila created by the Camarena family. It began as a small distillery in the town of Arandas, about 90 miles northwest of Guadalajara, almost five decades ago.
As growth continued to skyrocket, El Mayor expanded into new facilities that include their own bottling facility on-site.
The newest addition to the El Mayor family of tequila is this cristalino expression. This is a blend of Anejo tequila that was aged for a minimum of 12 months before being charcoal filtered to remove color while leaving the flavor. It looks like a crystal clear silver tequila but has the rich flavor profile of aged tequila.
Though this cristalino expression is being marketed as a sipping tequila, I am sure bartenders will put it to good use in premium cocktails. It might even be a splendid choice for adding some sweetness without adding color. Just add some simple syrup or agave nectar and ¡voila! You have an extra special margarita on your hands.
El Mayor’s logo is distinctive; two green serpents surround the name on either side, “La Serpiente”, with a crown above and a sword below.
Pasote Tequila Extra Anejo
Pasote is a high-end tequila imported from Mexico by the Sazerac Company, which also imports Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Pasote Tequila extra-Anejo is handmade in Jalisco, Mexico using agaves grown at the base of the extinct volcano known as Sierra del Tigre. The tequila is distilled in a copper pot, stills using both rainwater and spring water. It’s then aged for four years in ex-bourbon barrels in underground caves.
The color of this luxury tequila is light compared to other extra-añejos. This might be because of aging less time or perhaps it’s because of some filtration that occurs either before or after bottling. Either way, Pasote’s flavor is vibrant with notes of honey, mango, and a bit of spice and black pepper that pop on the palate. At $100+ per bottle, it may be expensive, but the quality matches the price.
To sum up, aged luxury tequilas have a reddish-amber color and impart flavors like dried cherry and cinnamon that complement the vanilla and spicy agave character. They also have complex flavor profiles which are only achieved by being in a barrel for a long time, mellowing out the tequila, giving it a rich body with a sweet finish. Luxury aged tequilas are great for sipping tequilas because of their layers of complexity, but can also be used in cocktails to add some sweetness without adding color.
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