Aficionados Agree: Steadiness, Not Age, Makes a Nice Additional Añejo

We’ve been consuming a whole lot of añejo and additional añejo tequilas in our home just lately. Once we seemed deeper into the Agave Matchmaker analytics, we found we’re not alone. These aged expressions are certainly displaying extra exercise.

Maybe it’s the colder climate? Or the upcoming holidays? Regardless of the cause, we thought it might be enjoyable to place collectively a listing of additional añejo tequilas and ship them to 21 members of the Agave Matchmaker Tasting Panel.

So we assembled a various checklist of high-quality tequilas that will cowl as many bases as potential.

– Outdated Favorites vs. Newcomers
– Flippantly aged vs. Closely aged
– Costly vs. Inexpensive
– Excessive Proof vs. Customary

Our panel members didn’t maintain again, giving us an in depth look into what makes an amazing aged tequila.

The typical scores ranged from practically 90 to 85 factors, that means all of them carried out extremely properly on this blind tasting. (Something above an 85 common in a blind tasting is an outstanding rating.) That was excellent news to us as a result of we took nice care to ensure that each tequila within the lineup was worthy of reward. We needed this to be an experiment primarily based on model and method as a substitute of fine vs. dangerous.

Panel members responded with trustworthy and detailed tasting notes that ended up revealing some fascinating traits. Let’s get into it.

Barrel Dominance vs. Agave Identification

The only largest dividing line within the tasting was not worth, age, or proof. It was whether or not the agave was nonetheless recognizable as soon as the barrel had its say.

Judges repeatedly rewarded tequilas the place cooked or roasted agave remained current, even when oak, spice, and sweetness have been clearly a part of the profile. When that steadiness tipped too far, reactions turned sharply adverse.

“It smells and tastes good, however doesn’t drink like a tequila in any respect to me,” one choose wrote, capturing a sentiment that got here up repeatedly. Additional añejos earned reward when the barrel framed the agave, not when it changed it.

Shade Expectations Had been Constantly Incorrect

Judges virtually all the time observed colour first, and simply as typically needed to stroll again their assumptions. Very pale further añejos have been regularly mistaken for reposados or joven-style expressions, solely to finish up among the many most preferred as soon as tasted.

In the meantime, a few of the darkest samples delivered precisely what individuals feared: heavy oak, bitterness, and warmth with out a lot payoff. One taster summed up the shock properly, noting {that a} very gentle pattern “doesn’t drink like a typical XA” however was “clear, tasty, and pure.”

Blind tasting made one factor clear: Shade is a poor predictor of high quality in further añejos.

Excessive Proof Was Welcome Till It Wasn’t

Alcohol presence got here up always, however not all the time as a flaw. Judges loved higher-proof tequilas when the flavour depth saved up. These samples have been described as energetic, structured, and typically thrilling.

Issues arose when ethanol warmth confirmed up with out sufficient density behind it.

“The alcohol is blowing out the palate,” one choose wrote of a darker, barrel-heavy entry.

The takeaway was not anti-proof. It was anti-imbalance. Excessive ABV was high-quality, even thrilling, so long as it carried agave, sweetness, and spice together with it.

Smoke, Char, and the Whiskey Line

Smokiness and heavy char break up the panel greater than virtually every other trait. Some tasters loved campfire, BBQ, and charred wooden notes, however many drew a tough line as soon as the tequila began tasting like whiskey, scotch, or wine-finished spirits. Comparisons to bourbon or cognac have been virtually by no means meant as compliments right here.

“Drinks like a high-proof whiskey,” one choose wrote, explaining why a technically spectacular pattern nonetheless missed the mark.

Additional añejo clearly lives near whiskey territory, and lots of skilled tequila drinkers are cautious of crossing that border.

The End Determined the Verdict

Nice noses have been widespread, nice finishes weren’t.

Throughout the flights, judges typically praised aromas solely to show important as soon as the end set in. Bitter oak, drying tannins, medicinal alcohol, and one-note endings shortly erased goodwill constructed on the nostril.

Favorites, however, have been typically outlined by how they ended. One choose praised a pattern as a result of “the agave sweetness comes again on the finish,” a remark echoed in numerous phrases all through the tasting.

In blind analysis, how a tequila exits issues greater than the way it enters.

Gentle and Elegant Grew to become Compliments

Regardless of further añejo’s repute for weight and richness, many judges brazenly praised tequilas described as gentle, refined, or simple to sip. These have been typically agave-forward expressions with restrained barrel affect, typically from exhausted casks.

A number of tasters who recognized as blanco drinkers gravitated towards these profiles. One commented {that a} pale, light XA was “gentle profile for an additional añejo, however as a blanco individual I adore it.”

The tasting urged a quiet shift in expectations. Additional añejo doesn’t should be heavy to be critical.

Settlement on What To not Do

Maybe essentially the most placing sample was how aligned the judges have been about what they didn’t need. Harsh bitterness, extreme tannins, medicinal warmth, and the entire lack of agave identification have been persistently criticized, no matter particular person choice.

Disagreements tended to be about model, not fundamentals. As one choose bluntly put it: “The barrel is doing all of the speaking right here, and I don’t adore it.”

Even amongst numerous palates, there was a shared sense of the place further añejo crosses from expressive into extreme.

The Lineup

Listed here are the ten further añejo tequilas we used for this experiment.

El Tesoro Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 89.82
Worth: $116
Worth Rank: #2

Panel members beloved the sunshine contact on this old-school favourite coming from the historic La Alteña distillery in Amatitan, Jalisco. They appreciated the steadiness between agave and oak, as evidenced visually by its gentle straw colour.

Practically each taster talked about detecting agave of their tasting notes, and that is precisely what the makers meant to perform.

The manufacturing course of is old-school conventional. Mature agaves are cooked in brick ovens, extraction is by way of tahona, distillation occurs in open-air wooden tanks, and distillation happens in copper pot stills. The barrels used to age this are extraordinarily previous, exhausted, and used to age tequilas time and time once more.

El Tesoro Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Pantera de Oro Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 89.34
Worth: $90
Worth Rank: #1

Pantera de WHAT? Hardly anybody has heard of this model as a result of it’s new to the market. Whereas most new manufacturers are inclined to launch with a blanco, they went in the other way by beginning with an XA that’s barrel-strength at 53% abv.

It’s that further little bit of alcohol that makes this tequila particular. It brings a sure steadiness between the oaky properties and the agave, which was appreciated by numerous the panel members. Though oak is the star of the present right here, there was a heightened essence of agave showing late within the end because of that further ABV increase.

The surprising half, although, is the worth. It’s promoting at Costco for simply $90 for a 1-liter bottle. This can be a hidden gem, proper there in Costco, ready available. This scored the best factors for worth, by far.

Manufacturing course of: Mixture autoclave and brick oven; curler mill extraction; chrome steel tank fermentation; stainless pot w/copper coil distillation; used French Oak and American Oak barrels; aged for simply over 3 years.

Aspect observe: Due to the flavors it brings, and the truth that it’s excessive proof, it makes a tremendous Tequila Sazerac cocktail. If you need the recipe, tell us.

Pantera De Oro Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Amatiteña Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 89.10
Worth: $129.99
Worth Rank: #3 (tie)

This tequila had one other old-school manufacturing course of that seemed to be a bit divisive. Both the panel member beloved it, or thought it was too “mezcal-like” due to the smoky aromas and flavors coming from their significantly rustic course of.

Manufacturing course of: Mature agaves from a single property within the Tequila Valley; Cooking in a direct-flame metal oven; extraction by way of tahona; Distilled twice in copper pot stills; Rested in a mix of barrels (American and French Oak, used wine and bourbon casks), and bottled at 42% abv.

The ovens and the pot stills are heated with wood-burning fires, and that smoky aroma is all over the place within the distillery, together with within the completed product. Though it’s extra outstanding of their blanco expression, the oak on this XA mutes the smoke a bit and creates a fancy dance between them.

This can be a distinctive agave-forward aged tequila that ought to be skilled by any critical lover of agave spirits.

Amatiteña Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Conejo Salvaje Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 88.27
Worth: $179.99
Worth Rank: #5 (tie)

That is one other new model to the market that many individuals have but to listen to about. What’s not new, nonetheless, is the absolutely natural distillery making it, Las Americas (NOM 1480) in Amatitan, Jalisco.

It’s accessible largely in Southern California proper now, however you should buy it on-line at Outdated City Tequila.

Panel members discovered agave, along with equal components caramel, vanilla, and honey. Half of the tasters commented on the sweetness of the flavour and end, and the way simple that is to drink.

Manufacturing course of: Natural agaves cooked in brick ovens; Extraction by way of curler mill; Fermentation in open-air chrome steel pot stills; Distilled twice in chrome steel pot stills with copper coils; Aged in used American White Oak barrels; and bottled at 40% abv.

Conejo Salvaje Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Chinaco Negro Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 87.62
Worth: $485
Worth Rank: #10

This may increasingly simply be one of many first tequilas to totally embrace the idea of “further añejo.” Any long-time tequila geek will acknowledge this model’s place in tequila historical past, so we made positive it was within the lineup.

Right here, oak and fruit dominate the expertise, which was described as nice and balanced by a majority of the tasters. Agave, whereas detected by a few of the panel members, is refined.

Manufacturing course of: Agaves from Tamaulipas are cooked in an autoclave; Extraction by way of curler mill; Fermentation is chrome steel tanks; distillation in chrome steel pot nonetheless with copper coils; and bottled at 43% abv.

Chinaco Negro Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Partida Elegante

Avg Rating: 87.02
Worth: $330
Worth Rank: #9

The barrel getting older program coming from Partida has all the time been a favourite of ours, going again 15+ years after we found their añejo. The Elegante was the primary XA tequila we ever tried that utterly blew us away.

Partida has been pretty constant since these early days, the place they attempt to take full benefit of the properties gifted by the barrel. They aren’t shy about it, nor ought to they be. The result’s a balanced, fully-flavored mix of caramel/oak/vanilla with some agave lingering across the edges that preserve its roots.

Manufacturing course of: Agaves from the Tequila Valley are cooked in low-pressure autoclaves; Extraction is by way of curler mill; Fermentation occurs in open air, chrome steel tanks with out fibers; Distillation in chrome steel pot stills; and aged for as much as 4 years in barrels beforehand used for Bourbon.

Partida Elegante: Aromas and flavors discovered

Insólito Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 86.49
Worth: $139.99
Worth Rank: #5

Panel members most frequently described the Insólito XA as gentle in colour, however outlined by barrel spice and sweetness, with an particularly inviting nostril.

Judges regularly commented on a candy, dessert-leaning fragrant profile, typically honey-forward moderately than agave-forward, and a number of other known as it out as one of many extra engaging noses within the lineup.

Relative to different entries, this tequila tended to take a seat in a center area: approachable and fragrant up entrance, with a construction that emphasised barrel and sweetness over agave within the taste.

Manufacturing course of: A mix of agaves from the Tequila Valley and Los Altos are cooked in a low-pressure autoclave; Fermentation occurs in a stainless-steel tank; Distillation makes use of a stainless-steel pot nonetheless; Growing older makes use of a mix of recent and used barrels, each French and American Oak. It’s bottled at 40% abv.

Insólito Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Cazcanes No. 7 Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 86.43
Worth: $179.99
Worth Rank: #5 (tie)

The Cazcanes No. 7 XA stood out as one of many lighter, extra approachable expressions within the lineup, each visually and on the palate, with many judges noting its pale colour and comparatively restrained barrel affect.

A number of tasters commented that the nostril understated the flavour, and described an expertise that opened cleanly, leaning agave-forward for an additional añejo. In addition they emphasised the sweetness and fruity notes.

General, it occupied a softer, extra delicate lane throughout the flight, highlighting how an additional añejo can specific maturity with out heaviness.

Manufacturing course of: Agaves from the Tequila Valley area are cooked in low stress autoclaves; Extraction occurs with a curler mill; Fermentation occurs in open-air chrome steel tanks utilizing their very own particular pure spring water; Distillation makes use of a stainless-steel pot nonetheless with copper coils; and it’s aged in a mix of barrels (French and American oak), beforehand used for bourbon. It’s aerated previous to bottling.

Cazcanes No. 7 Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

TC Craft Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 85.95
Worth: $129
Worth Rank: #3 (tie)

Throughout the panel, TC Craft’s Additional Añejo persistently learn as barrel-driven, however different in how that barrel affect landed, particularly relative to the remainder of the lineup.

Structurally, it was typically described as medium-bodied to light-bodied, with a number of tasters mentioning a distinction between an attractive nostril and a palate or end that turned dry. In comparison with the opposite tequilas, it tended to take a seat nearer to the “barrel-forward” finish of the spectrum, often prompting feedback like “drinks a bit like bourbon,” whereas nonetheless retaining sufficient agave character for some judges to seek out it coherent and fulfilling.

Manufacturing course of: Los Altos agaves are cooked in conventional brick ovens; Extraction is by way of curler mill; Fermentation occurs in open-air chrome steel tanks; Distillation makes use of chrome steel pot stills; Aeration previous to bottling at 40% abv.

TC Craft Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

Dulce Vida 5-12 months Additional Añejo

Avg Rating: 85.59
Worth: $156
Worth Rank: #7

Dulce Vida’s 5-12 months XA persistently got here throughout as one of the crucial barrel-driven and high-impact expressions within the lineup.

Judges regularly pointed to its darkish colour and instantly linked it to heavier oak affect, larger perceived ABV, and whiskey-adjacent habits, typically noting warmth, dryness, and tannic grip on the palate and end.

In comparison with others within the flight, this pattern sat firmly on the acute finish of the spectrum, marked by pronounced barrel character, lingering spice and dryness, and a end that many discovered intense and chronic moderately than resolving softly. It’s a daring tequila, most definitely partly on account of its larger alcohol content material (50% abv, or 100-proof.)

Manufacturing course of: Los Altos agaves are cooked in an autoclave; Extraction is by way of curler mill; Fermentation is in chrome steel tanks; Growing older occurs in American Oak barrels beforehand used for wine.

Dulce Vida 5-12 months Additional Añejo: Aromas and flavors discovered

This blind tasting experiment made one level unmistakably clear: within the further añejo class, time within the barrel will not be a assure of success, and in some circumstances it’s the very factor that works in opposition to the spirit. Throughout the lineup, essentially the most compelling tequilas weren’t outlined by darkness, density, or sheer oak depth, however by how properly getting older was used to assist, moderately than obscure, the underlying agave.

As one choose put it, “It’s nice when the barrel is there, however the agave nonetheless talks again.”

Ultimately, the tasting bolstered a easy concept that skilled drinkers more and more acknowledge: further añejos shine not when they aren’t pushed to extremes, however when age is utilized with restraint, letting steadiness, not time alone, do the work.

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