If you’re a dark, aged spirits drinker, you might assume that fall and winter are times for whiskey and whiskey alone. We’re talking about bourbon, single malt Scotch whisky, rye whisky, Japanese whisky, Irish whiskey, and others. Neat, on the rocks, with a dash of water, or mixed into a classic or contemporary cocktail. Since you have whiskey on the brain, you probably don’t think about other spirits like rum, vodka, gin, or even tequila. And while we enjoy most of those other spirits (in great quantities) during the warmer months, we don’t understand why drinkers don’t embrace tequila more during the fall and winter months. It’s much more than just un-aged, silver tequila.
Specifically, there are five different types of tequila (as well as a few other offshoots). They are blanco (or silver), reposado, añejo, extra añejo, and cristalino. Blanco is fairly self-explanatory. While It can spend as long as sixty days in a barrel, it’s most often taken directly from the still to a bottle. It’s the tequila that tastes the most like agave. It has a raw, vegetal sweetness and is best when used as the base for a cocktail.
Reposado is the next step up. This rested tequila is matured in tequila between two and eleven months. The most common tequila style, it has light vanilla and caramel flavors from the barrel while retaining agave sweetness. Añejo tequila is matured between one and three full years in oak casks. This results in a bolder, richer tequila with notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and dried fruits.
Extra añejo is matured for three years or more in oak barrels. It’s the richest and most flavorful form of tequila and tastes closer to a well-aged bourbon than a blanco tequila. The lesser-known and more modern cristalino is mature tequila that’s been filtered through charcoal. It supposedly softens the tequila while not removing any flavor.
And while we love all of the different types of tequila for their various flavors and uses, when it comes to fall sipping, we prefer to turn to Añejo tequilas exclusively. Since we want you to enjoy them just as much as we do, we selected ten of our favorites and listed them below. Keep scrolling to see all of the agave-fueled, sweet, rich, easy-drinking selections.
Casa Noble Añejo Tequila
If you haven’t tried any tequilas from Casa Noble yet, fall is a great time to dive into these award-winning, high-quality, flavorful expressions. If you could only pick one, we suggest Casa Noble Añejo. Matured for at least two years in French oak casks, it’s known for its bold, rich, sweet flavor profile consisting of notes of rich oak, cooked, vegetal agave, buttery caramel, vanilla beans, and gentle wintry spices. It’s the slow-sipping tequila you’ve been waiting for in the fall.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $65-75
Don Sergio Añejo Tequila
One of the best bargain añejo tequilas on the market, this bold expression is made with 100% Blue Weber agave and distilled two times before being aged in American white oak barrels. It’s known for its nose of vanilla, toffee, roasted agave, and gentle spices and palate of toffee, candied almonds, vanilla beans, and cracked black pepper. It’s complex, well-balanced, and surprisingly well-priced for its quality. If you find a bottle of Don Sergio Añejo buy it (or even two or three) and enjoy it well into the winter months.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $29-39
Mijenta Añejo Grand Reserva Tequila
This is definitely not a tequila to just go out and buy unless you’re an avid añejo tequila drinker or you have a ton of disposable income. By far the most expensive tequila on our list, Mijenta Añejo Grand Reserva is matured at least eighteen months in a combination of American white oak, French oak, French acacia, and cherry casks. The result is a flavorful, indulgent tequila with notes of dried fruits, vanilla beans, roasted agave, pipe tobacco, caramel, and gentle spices.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $179-199
Cazadores Añejo Tequila
Cazadores is a big name in the tequila world and its añejo tequila is perfect for fall. It’s matured for at least one full year in new, charred American oak casks. This results in bold, complex tequila with flavors like cinnamon sugar, tree nuts, oaky wood, toasted vanilla beans, toffee, cracked black pepper, and just a wisp of smoke at the very end. Well-suited for slow-sipping neat or on the rocks or mixed into your favorite cocktail, Cazadores Añejo deserves a spot on your home bar, bar cart, or liquor cabinet.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $35-55
Casamigos Añejo Tequila
Most drinkers know about Casamigos simply because of the brand’s association with George Clooney. But it’s more than just a celebrity brand, it’s actually high-quality juice. One of its best expressions is its Casamigos Añejo. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, this bold tequila is mature for a minimum of fourteen months in American white oak barrels. This results in a balanced tequila with notes of ripe, roasted agave, vanilla, toffee, oaky wood, and peppery spice.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $65-75
Fortaleza Añejo Tequila
Made from 100% stone crush agave that’s double distilled in copper pot stills before being matured for at least eighteen months in American oak barrels. It’s known for its mix of roasted agave, vanilla beans, buttery toffee, citrus peels, and hazelnuts. It’s the kind of añejo tequila you’ll want to have one hand from now until the spring thaw (and beyond) for sipping neat or on the rocks. It’s warming, smooth, and well-balanced.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $85-95
Herradura Añejo Tequila
Little known fact, Herradura actually created the añejo style of tequila when it launched its version in 1962. It takes its añejo quite seriously to this day. Instead of a little more than a year like some brands. Herradura ages its añejo for twenty-five months. This results in a complex tequila with notes of okay wood, dried fruits, vanilla, roasted agave, caramel, and light peppery spice. If you only buy one añejo tequila, make it this OG from Herradura.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $45-65
Olmeca Altos Añejo Tequila
This super-premium, small-batch añejo tequila from the folks at Olmeca Altos is made with 100% Blue Weber agave and is matured in 200-liter ex-bourbon barrels for a minimum of twelve months. It’s known for its balanced, complex, rich flavor with notes of roasted agave, vanilla beans, caramel, rich oak, peppery spice, and dried fruits. It’s a slow-sipping, memorable tequila you’ll bring out for guests throughout the holiday season.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $35-45
El Tesoro Añejo Tequila
This award-winning añejo tequila from El Tesoro is matured in American oak ex-bourbon casks between two and three years depending on the batch. This longer aging process creates a complex, smooth, well-balanced tequila with flavors that include rich oaky wood, smoky, vegetal agave, vanilla, buttery caramel, spicy pepper, and floral earthy notes throughout. It’s a sublime, easy-drinking tequila well-suited for cold fall (and winter) evenings.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $65-75
Don Julio Añejo Tequila
There are only a few names bigger than Don Julio in the tequila world. Makers of one of the best, most mixable blanco tequilas on the market, Don Julio also makes a complex, high-quality añejo tequila as well. Made in small batches, this iconic tequila is matured for at least eighteen months in American white oak casks. This results in a rich, sweet tequila with hints of roasted agave, vanilla beans, toffee, gentle spices, and rich, oaky wood.
- Origin: Mexico
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $60-80
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