The 10 Best Extra Añejo Tequila
[Expert Picks]
Written by Taster's Club Internal Team | Updated December 2025
If you’re looking for an amazing tequila experience that’s sophisticated and one that can impress any distinguished guest, Extra Añejo is the spirit to explore.
But with so many premium bottles hitting the market, it can be hard to navigate what should take up space on your home shelf.
Whether you are searching for a luxurious tequila gift or looking to expand your own palate, we have curated a list of the absolute best Extra Añejo tequilas available today.
The Top 10 Extra Añejo Tequila, Picked by Taster’s Club
Here are our top picks that stand out as some of the best Extra Añejo tequila you can find.
1. Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo
Tears of Llorona is often cited as the "Pappy Van Winkle" of tequila, and you’ll see why it's at the top of our list. It is a small-batch masterpiece created by Germán González, one of the most celebrated Master Distillers in Mexico. What makes this bottle truly unique is its aging process. It's aged for five years in a combination of scotch, sherry, and brandy oak barrels. This Extra Añejo demands patience and attention that’s strictly for the enthusiast.
Tasting Notes: This top tequila offers a nose of black cherries, vanilla bean, and subtle cacao. On the palate, you’ll discover caramel and toffee that’s perfectly balanced by the dryness of scotch casks and the sweetness of sherry. The finish is long and warm.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 43.0% | 1,000 ml
Purchase Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo
2. Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo
If you are looking for the ultimate statement piece to wow guests, Clase Azul Ultra is it. It’s one of the most exclusive tequilas you can have on your shelf; aged for five years in American whiskey casks before being finished in Spanish sherry casks. The bottle is also what helps it stand out, as the decanter is handcrafted and painted with liquid platinum with a label made of 24-karat gold. To top it all off, it's produced in extremely small quantities, perfect for collectors.
Tasting Notes: Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo opens with a rich nose of dried fruits, oak, vanilla, and hints of dark chocolate. The palate is exceptionally smooth with caramel, toasted almonds, and a touch of cinnamon spice. It finishes long and luxurious.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo
3. 1800 Milenio Tequila
1800 Milenio is a fantastic and accessible Extra Añejo. This tequila starts with the brand's premium añejo before undergoing a secondary maturation in French Oak Cognac barrels. This finishing process creates a deeper sip that sets it apart from standard American Oak-aged tequilas. This is an excellent pick for an intermediate tequila sipper as it's approachable but complex enough to impress.
Tasting Notes: It opens with warm and inviting aromas of caramel, vanilla, and dried fruit. On the palate, you’ll experience sweet butterscotch, citrus, and creamy toffee with earthy agave. Its long finish lingers beautifully.
Region: Jalisco / Los Valles | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase 1800 Milenio Tequila
4. Herradura Selección Suprema Extra Añejo
This is the bottle that started it all. Herradura Selección Suprema was released before the official "Extra Añejo" category even existed. What adds to its unique experience is because the agave is estate-grown. The spirit is then aged for 49 months in American White Oak barrels and stands as a testament to patience. It’s perfect for the enthusiast with a deep profile.
Tasting Notes: Herradura Selección Suprema Extra Añejo opens with bold aromas of cedar, dried rose petals, and cooked agave. On the palate, it offers a luxurious blend of creamy vanilla, dried fruit, and toasted walnuts. The finish is long and complex.
Region: Jalisco / Los Valles | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Herradura Selección Suprema Extra Añejo
5. Cincoro Tequila Extra Añejo
Born from a collaboration between five NBA owners, Cincoro has quickly made a household name among connoisseurs. This Extra Añejo is aged for 40 to 44 months in underground cellars which age it slower and more subtly than other bottles. The brand uses a blend of agave from both the highlands and lowlands, allowing the sipper to experience this beautiful mix. It’s designed to be exceptionally smooth with a sweeter finish that’s great for beginners.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, this Extra Añejo greets you with enticing aromas of toasted oak and dried fruits. The palate is wonderfully complex, featuring notes of cooked agave, rich dark chocolate, and a hint of butterscotch. It finishes with an elegant touch of fresh coffee and a lingering, smooth sweetness.
Region: Jalisco | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
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6. Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo
What makes Avión Reserva 44 unique is all the additional details placed in each part of the process. It’s made from agave that’s grown at high elevations. The tequila rests for 43 months in oak barrels. For the final month, it’s transferred to small barrels which increase the surface area contact between the tequila and the wood for an accelerated extraction right at the finish line. Finally, each bottle is hand-filled and signed by the founder for that profound personal touch. This is another amazing tequila that is friendly for beginners but also loved by enthusiasts.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, you'll find aromas of roasted agave, warm vanilla, and a hint of spice. The palate is very smooth and rich with dark cherries, ripe fruits, and toasted oak. It all comes together in a long and complex finish.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo
7. El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila
For those who value tradition above all, El Tesoro is a must have for your home shelf. This tequila is made using traditional methods where the agave is crushed by a tahona and distilled to proof. So, no water is added to dilute it before bottling. This specific expression is aged for four to five years in ex-bourbon barrels. It is one of the few Extra Añejos that manages to age for so long without losing its essence; meant for the enthusiast.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, El Tesoro Extra Añejo offers a delightful mix of rich caramel, dried fruits, and a subtle oakiness. The palate reveals layers of butterscotch, toasted almonds, and dark chocolate, with a smooth, velvety texture. It finishes long and elegant.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila
8. Código 1530 Extra Añejo
This top Extra Añejo is backed by country music legend George Strait. While most producers use American whiskey barrels, Código ages their Extra Añejo for six years in French White Oak Cabernet barrels from the Napa Valley. This unique wood choice creates a reddish hue and a structure that you just don't find in other tequilas. Perfect for the enthusiast who has everything and wants something more.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, you'll notice rich aromas of cooked agave, toasted oak, and a hint of vanilla. The palate goes to offer beautiful caramel, dried fruit, and light spice. It finishes warm and invites you to savor every sip.
Region: Jalisco / Los Bajos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Código 1530 Tequila Origen Extra Añejo
9. Siete Leguas De Antano Extra Añejo Tequila
The Extra Añejo tequila comes from a legendary distillery that actually produced the original Patron tequila before they went solo. Siete Leguas De Antano is aged for five years. What makes this bottle unique amongst the rest is that the distillery is famous for using two different extraction methods. The first is the tahona wheel, and the second is the roller mill. The blending creates a spirit with incredible depth for an intermediate to connoisseur to enjoy.
Tasting Notes: It opens with inviting aromas of sweet cooked agave, maple syrup, and dried apricots. You’ll then find that the palate reveals a beautiful mix of peach, orange peel, and subtle spices. It concludes with a creamy finish that has a hint of vanilla pod.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
Purchase Siete Leguas De Antano Extra Añejo Tequila
10. Casa San Matias Tequila Gran Reserva Extra Añejo
San Matías introduced the first accessible and reasonably priced Extra Añejo without sacrificing quality. This beginner-friendly selection is aged for three years in French white oak barrels and offers a level of sophistication for a great price point. It is a single-barrel release which makes for a great surprise to any tequila enjoyer.
Tasting Notes: San Matías Gran Reserva Extra Añejo offers you a rich nose of cooked agave, caramel, and toasted oak. On the palate, it goes on with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and refined.
Region: Jalisco / Los Altos | ABV: 40.0% | 750ml
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How to Enjoy Extra Añejo Tequila
There are several ways to enjoy tequila, but here are a few tips to get the most out of this luxurious spirit, specifically.
First, we recommend that you try your Extra Añejo neat and at room temperature. If you like to savor your sip while it's cold, use a large single ice cube so that it melts slowly and avoids diluting the flavors the distillers desire you to taste.
Now, try the "Breathe" technique. Take a small sip, swallow, and then breathe out through your nose. This engages your retronasal olfaction, helping you pick up on subtle notes like chocolate, leather, and fruit that you might otherwise miss!
Extra Añejo is meant to be sipped. Use a Glencairn glass or a champagne flute. The tapered shape helps concentrate the aromas so you can smell the vanilla and oak before you taste them. And of course, no salt or lime needed!
Taster’s Club Selection Criteria for the Best Extra Añejo Tequila
At Taster's Club, we are passionate about bringing you the best extra añejo tequila selections. Our expert curators carefully evaluate each bottle, ensuring only the finest tequila makes the cut. Below is a deeper look at what makes the best extra añejo tequila and what we consider when selecting the top-tier selections:
Aging Process & Barrel Type
Compared to the other types of tequila, the hallmark of extra añejo tequila is its age, requiring at least three years in oak barrels. The type of barrel used for aging, whether American oak, French oak, or barrels previously used for bourbon or cognac, greatly influences the flavor profile.
The aging process imparts rich flavors like vanilla, caramel, and toffee, creating a smoother, more refined spirit. The aging environment, such as climate, altitude, and barrel rotation, is also crucial, as these factors can all influence the final product. The best extra añejo tequila bottles that made it into our list demonstrate mastery over these factors, yielding a perfect balance of flavor, aroma, and texture.
Blue Weber Agave Quality
The agave plant is the foundation of any great tequila. For extra añejo tequila, we prioritize tequilas made from mature, high-quality Blue Weber agave, which typically takes seven to ten years to reach full maturity. The sugars in the agave are crucial for fermentation, and we only select the best extra añejo tequilas where the Blue Weber agave is harvested at its peak.
Additionally, distilleries that are particular about agave handling, from careful harvesting to slow cooking, tend to produce extra añejo tequila brands that stand out for their authenticity and flavor complexity. For instance, distilleries that meticulously remove the bitter piña tips to focus on the sweetest parts of the Blue Weber agave create a superior base for fermentation and distillation.
Distillation Method and Craftsmanship
The distillation process and craftmanship are key factors in creating the best extra añejo tequila. Many of the best expressions rely on traditional methods, like copper pot stills and small-batch distillation, which preserve the natural essence of Blue Weber agave while eliminating unwanted impurities. These time-honored techniques highlight the artistry of distilleries with strong legacies, often rooted in family-owned operations with generations of expertise.
At Taster's Club, we prioritize tequilas from distilleries in Jalisco that uphold these traditions, ensuring each bottle we select reflects superior craftsmanship, smoothness, and complexity. By partnering with tequila brands known for their dedication to quality, we bring you the best extra añejo tequila bottles that embody the perfect blend of skill, heritage, and flavor.
Flavor Complexity and Balance
One of the key factors in choosing the best extra añejo tequila is its flavor profile. The best extra añejo tequila brands display a complex interplay of sweet, spicy, and earthy notes, often showcasing layers of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and dried fruit. Some exceptional extra añejo tequilas also incorporate subtle hints of chocolate, coffee, or nutmeg, creating a rich sensory experience.
We test each tequila to ensure it delivers a complex, multi-layered experience that evolves from the first sip to the finish, with no single flavor overwhelming the others. The texture and mouthfeel are equally important, and we select the best extra añejo tequila that offers a smooth, velvety sensation.
Rarity and Exclusivity
For spirits to be included in our best extra añejo tequila picks, we also look for limited-edition bottlings or small-batch releases that showcase exceptional artistry in tequila-making. These exclusive offerings often incorporate unique techniques, such as extended aging or blending barrels from different regions, creating a one-of-a-kind spirit. By including rare and exclusive bottles, we give our Taster’s Club members access to extraordinary extra añejo tequilas that can’t be found in typical liquor stores.
Value
While extra añejo tequilas are often a premium investment, we focus on finding options that deliver exceptional quality for their price point. Whether it’s a budget-friendly bottle that over-delivers on flavor or a luxury release that justifies its cost with unparalleled craftsmanship, we ensure every selection offers true value. This balance of quality and affordability allows Taster’s Club members to enjoy world-class tequila without breaking the bank.
Commonly Asked Questions
How Is Extra Añejo Tequila Different?
The main difference from other types of tequila is time and aging. First, to be classified as Extra Añejo, the tequila must be aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. While standard Añejo is aged between one and three years, and Reposado is aged between two months and one year. This creates a spirit with much more depth, character, and explorative notes.
Is Extra Añejo Smoother Than Añejo?
In short, Extra Añejo is typically smoother than a regular Añejo. The longer a spirit rests in oak barrels, the more the wood mellows out the sharp bite of the alcohol.
The wood also leaves sweeter flavors like vanilla and caramel that actively contribute to a smoother and silkier sip, sought after by many tequila enthusiasts. This smoothness cannot be replicated without age, making Extra Añejo a much smoother choice.
What’s the Best Affordable Extra Añejo?
Without a doubt, the Casa San Matías Gran Reserva Extra Añejo is the best bang for your buck. It offers all the complexity of a top Extra Añejo without the huge price tag. While other bottles in this list definitely hold their own in terms of an amazing experience, this bottle cannot be beat for its value.
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