Do you know What is an Añejo Tequila?

Añejo tequila is a distinguished variety of tequila, known for its extended aging process. Unlike other tequilas, in our case the añejo is aged for a minimum of 14 months in handmade bourbon barrels, which can be extended up to 18 months. This process gives it a rich and complex flavor profile, with soft notes of wood, vanilla and chocolate. Its aroma is characterized by sweet cooked agave, complemented by accents of dried fruits such as raisins and almonds. The length of its aging gives it a distinctive flavor and aroma within the tequila family.

What does ‘añejo’ mean?

Refers to the level of maturity reached by tequila after a significant period of aging. The word “añejo”, which translates as “old” or “aged” in Spanish, indicates an aging process in oak barrels for at least one year and up to three years. This extended period of maturation in barrels infuses tequila with a complexity of flavors and aromas with characteristic notes of wood, vanilla, caramel and spices. This evolution in flavor and aroma distinguishes aged tequila from other categories such as blanco, which is not aged, and reposado, which spends a shorter period in barrels. Consequently, aged tequila is appreciated for its richness and depth of flavor profile, representing a more sophisticated and nuanced tasting experience.

What Makes Tequila Añejo?

The aging process of añejo tequila is a fundamental phase in the creation of this unique distillate. After distillation, the tequila is placed in American white oak barrels, where it begins its maturation process. This aging period, which in our case lasts between 14 and 18 months, allows the tequila to absorb the flavors and colors of the oak. This contact with the wood enriches the tequila with a complex and nuanced flavor profile, characterized by notes of wood, vanilla and caramel, as well as a deep amber color. Throughout this time, the tequila undergoes chemical and organoleptic changes that improve its quality and depth of flavor, resulting in a final product with a robust and sophisticated character, highly appreciated by connoisseurs.

How Tequila Añejo Tastes?

The flavor of aged tequila is remarkably rich and complex. It is characterized by a palette of flavors that includes notes of wood, vanilla and caramel, acquired throughout the aging process in oak barrels. Often, hints of even dried fruit, spice and even a slight smokiness can be detected. Añejo tequila also tends to have a fuller body and smooth texture, resulting in a more rounded and sophisticated tasting experience compared to younger varieties of tequila.

Añejo tequila is also distinguished by its color, which is much deeper and darker than blanco or reposado tequila. This deep amber color is the result of the prolonged aging process in oak barrels, during which the tequila absorbs the tones of the wood. This color adds visual appeal to tequila and is indicative of its maturity and richness in flavors.

Tequila Añejo, Olmeca Altos Tequila

Now that you know what makes Añejo a distinctive tequila, you will understand that you can’t drink just any tequila. A beverage of this level requires a brand that is up to the task. That’s why at Olmeca Altos we have a variety of handcrafted Añejo that will allow you to enjoy all the complexities of flavor and texture, color and aroma, of a high quality tequila.