These Are the A?ejo Tequilas We’re Enjoying Right Now
For many spirits, age is taken as a shorthand for quality. More years spent in a barrel often does translate to a better taste (and a higher price), and there are plenty of Scotches and Irish whiskeys that are old enough to be of drinking age themselves. Tequila is a little different.
A?ejo, which literally translates to old, is tequila that’s aged for one to three years. And unlike most whiskey drinkers, many tequila drinkers prefer a less aged spirit, such as reposado or even blanco. That’s because the appeal of tequila is the unique agave flavor, which can get overwhelmed by the barrel flavors.
One factor in the cost of a?ejo is the agave itself. Agave, the base ingredient in tequila, takes on average seven years to grow. Adding even a few years of aging to that process can push the time between seed to bottle past the decade mark, which is why a tequila aged for two years will often be more expensive than a more aged whiskey.
Finding a good a?ejo tequila takes some work, and it goes beyond just looking at the age statement. If you’re fairly new to tequila, a?ejo can actually be a decent place to start, even though it tends to be more expensive. That’s because a?ejo tequilas are aged in oak barrels, which are in fact often used bourbon barrels. This gives a?ejo tequilas a woody flavor that will be familiar and comforting to regular whiskey drinkers.
We’ve rounded up some good a?ejo tequilas, plus extra a?ejo options (which are aged for more than three years). All of these options are available on Minibar or Drizly, although availability may vary based on your location.
1. El Tesoro A?ejo Tequila
BEST OVERALL
El Tesoro’s A?ejo is a Double Gold winning tequila from the International Spirits Challenge 2020, but one of the biggest things to love about El Tesoro is that they keep it in the family. The company is run by the founder’s grandson, while his sister is the director of operations. El Tesoro’s a?ejo has a bold agave flavor with a sweeter vanilla aroma and flavor.
2. Espolòn Tequila A?ejo
BEST VALUE
Espolòn brings its characteristically bold flavor to this a?ejo, with oak and spice flavors. Espolòn’s A?ejo is aged in used American white oak bourbon barrels, making this a great tequila for bourbon drinkers. At roughly $30 a bottle, this is one of the best values for an a?ejo.
3. Fortaleza A?ejo Tequila
BEST SPLURGE
Looking for an a?ejo for a special occasion (or a special someone)? Fortaleza A?ejo Tequila is a premium offering from a family-run estate, made with exacting and painstaking care. It offers a balance of oak and agave, allowing the barrel flavors to shine without overshadowing the agave flavor.
4. Suerte Tequila Extra Anejo
BEST EXTRA ANEJO
The branding may be cheeky, but the tequila is serious. It’s double-distilled and then aged in charred American White Oak whiskey barrels for eight years. The result is an oaky vanilla flavor that still has plenty of agave flavor for the die-hard tequila fans.
5. Herradura A?ejo
BEST MID-TIER
Herradura’s horseshoe design begs for this bottle to be consumed while sitting on a porch wearing blue jeans and cowboy boots. But the couch will do too. This smooth tequila is a not-too-expensive entry into the world of a?ejos, and it has a slightly sweet vanilla taste.
6. Patrón A?ejo
BAR MAINSTAY
Patrón is one of the most famous tequila brands in the world and deserves credit for introducing the wider American market to tequila as something to actually savor. Patrón A?ejo retains an agave flavor with oak and vanilla as well. It may not have the most distinct flavor, but it’s a great option to suit a variety of palettes.
7. Solento A?ejo Tequila
ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
Solento was launched in 2019, and their a?ejo tequila was aged for 18 months, meaning they pretty much had to hit the ground running. Solento focuses on using organic ingredients, and as our review described, this a?ejo has “butterscotch, toffee, and dark chocolate on the palate, and has a lingering vanilla pudding finish.”
8. Casamigos Tequila A?ejo
SUBTLY SWEET
Yup, the George Clooney tequila. Casamigos was founded before the big celebrity tequila boom, and it’s been around long enough to prove its staying power. The nearly billion-dollar sale to Diageo is another vote of confidence, too. If you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, you won’t mind the caramel and vanilla flavors from this a?ejo tequila.
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