Taster’s Club’s Top 10 Tequila Extra Añejo Picks in 2023
Written by Emma C | Updated April 2023
Indulge in the world of tequila like never before with Extra Anejo Tequila, a category renowned for its exceptional aging process. Aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels, this tequila variety boasts a richness and complexity that captivate the palates of tequila aficionados. The extended aging period allows the flavors to evolve and mature, unveiling a remarkably smooth and sophisticated taste that sets it apart from other tequilas. If you have an appreciation for life's finer pleasures, Extra Anejo Tequila is an experience that simply cannot be missed. We’ve tasted many great extra anejos and are here to help you find the best bottles with this Taster’s Club top 10 tequila extra añejo bottles guide for 2023.
Best Extra Añejo Tequila Recommendations In Our Bottle Shop
1. Tequila Ocho Extra Anejo
Tequila Ocho Single Estate Extra Añejo unveils an exquisite fusion of flavors, aged for three years in ex-American oak whiskey barrels to achieve a captivating, slightly darker amber hue. The aroma is a harmonious blend of sweet cooked agave, toffee, and black pepper, complemented by delicate vanilla undertones. The palate reveals intricate notes of complex cooked agave, intertwined with oak, anise, and dried fruits. The body and color showcase the craftsmanship of three years' gentle aging, culminating in a deep and enduring finish. Peppery and anise seed nuances linger, offering a memorable and sophisticated tequila experience at 40% ABV.
2. Alquimia Reserva De Oro Extra Añejo 14 Year Tequila
Extra Añejo Reserva de Oro is aged 14 years in white oak barrels. This sipping tequila has spicy aromas and flavors of dark caramel on rye, cedar plank, nutmeg, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cardamom, and toasted almonds. With a lively, fruity medium-full body and a very long, warming finish, the spirit evokes notes of flamed orange, toffee, flan, and a dark roasted agave finish.
3. Volans Premium Extra Anejo
Volans Extra Añejo, a rare gem aged for over 3 1/2 years, boasts a unique light hue from well-seasoned American White Oak Barrels aged for two decades. This limited edition tequila encapsulates the essence of a stellar extra añejo. The aromatic profile unfolds with notes of cooked agave, vanilla, oak, and hints of pitted fruits and citrus. On the palate, revel in the rich interplay of cooked agave, vanilla, fruit, butterscotch, and a subtle pepper kick. With a lush mouthfeel and an enduring finish, Volans Extra Añejo delivers an extraordinary sipping experience that lingers gracefully.
4. Rey Sol Extra Anejo
Rey Sol Extra Añejo, crafted by the trailblazing distillery with the world's first Extra Añejo and under the leadership of the first female owner, is an exceptional tequila experience. This masterfully aged spirit exudes richness with caramel, vanilla, and authentic brown spice from cooked agave. Delight in notes of dried fruit, butterscotch, and subtle dark chocolate on the nose, leading to a full-bodied palate revealing dark plum, cherry, and a finish harmoniously blending butterscotch and hints of dark chocolate with a mild heat. Housed in a crystal decanter designed by Sergio Bustamante, Rey Sol stands as a must-have for Extra Añejo enthusiasts.
5. Tears of Llorona Extra Anejo
Tears of Llorona, a creation by Master Distiller German Gonzalez, offers an exclusive experience with this 5-year-old extra añejo tequila. Originally crafted for friends and family, this highly limited release is a distinctive blend of 100% blue agave tequila aged for 5 years in barrels previously holding scotch, sherry, and brandy. The result is a uniquely flavored tequila, showcasing the rich influence of various cask types, making Tears of Llorona a sought-after and unparalleled spirit.
6. Number Juan Tequila Extra Añejo
Aging for 3.5 years in retired & charred white oak American bourbon barrels allows every essence from the barrel to come forth in Number Juan Tequila Extra Añejo. From earth to barrel to bottle, this 11-year process delivers a superior & world-class spirit with oak, vanilla, pepper, and caramel flavors.
7. El Tesoro Extra Anejo
El Tesoro Extra Añejo, a tribute to Felipe J. by Master Distiller Carlos Camarena, exemplifies their shared dedication to tequila craftsmanship. Meticulously aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels for four to five years, this exceptional blend unveils a tapestry of rich flavors, including notes of chocolate and coffee. Each sip of El Tesoro Extra Añejo is a testament to the legacy of the Camarena family and their commitment to producing tequila of unparalleled depth and character.
8. Tequila Avión Reserva 44
Handcrafted in limited batches, Avión Reserva 44 is aged for at least 36 months in American oak barrels. It has aromas of cooked agave, hazelnuts, and vanilla, flavors of honey, caramel, vanilla, almonds, and oak, and a medium-long, nutty, and spicy finish.
9. Corralejo Tequila 1821 Extra Anejo
Aged 36 months in charred American oak barrels, this estate-grown tequila is made with 100% Blue Weber Agave hand-harvested from the maker’s fields in the state of Guanajuato. Perfected by the French in distilling Cognac, the 400-year-old Charentais double-distillation method allows for exceptional aroma and flavor retention.
10. Don Fulano Extra Imperial Extra Anejo Tequila
Experience Don Fulano Imperial, an extra añejo tequila aged 5-12 years in French Oak barrels from renowned wine regions with a sherry cask finish. Bursting with fruity and spicy notes, it's the pinnacle of tequila craftsmanship, blending the Highlands of Jalisco and the Valleys of Tequila in every sip.
With these mouth-watering Taster’s Club best extra añejo tequila picks for Valentine's Day, all available in our bottle shop, you'll always be ready to go whenever last-minute guests pop in or you're simply craving something different. Or, for a more curated experience, join our Tequila Club. With two tiers to choose from, you’ll get a new monthly selection from award-winning producers.
Tequila Extra Añejo FAQs
What is tequila?
Tequila is a distilled alcoholic spirit and type of mezcal that comes from the Mexico-native Blue Weber agave plant. When the plant matures, which usually takes over 7 years, agave farmers (jimadors) harvest it and send its hearts to distilleries, which then create tequila.
Mexican law states that tequila must be produced specifically in the Mexican regions of Jalisco, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Tamaulipas.
How is tequila made?
To make tequila, ingredients are gathered to create either "Puro” tequilas - those wholly made from 100% Blue Weber agave - or “mixto” tequilas - those with at least 51% agave (and the rest being sugars). From there, the tequila wash is mixed and fermented for about 5-7 days, then strained to remove solid material (as this can affect purity).
Once that's done, the wash goes through two distillations. The first is without separating the heads, hearts, and tails, and the other distillate is separated. If the spirit is to be aged, this comes next – for instance, extra añejos are aged for at least 3 years.
What is tequila's history?
During the time of about 1,000 B.C., the Olmecs drank pulque, a milky fermented drink originating from the agave plant's sap. Later on, the Aztecs adapted it for themselves during the Spanish invasion of the 1400s when the Spanish appropriated the drink. Agave and mud were used to distill spirits until the 1600s, at which time the first mass distillery was built (by Marquis de Altamira, and this was in Tequila, Jalisco). Then, in 1758, the Cuervo family got into tequila making, as did the Sauza family in 1873. These makers are both still prominent in the industry today.
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