Añejo

Añejo Tequila is a Tequila that has undergone a maturation process in wooden barrels, typically oak, for a minimum of one year but less than three years. This ageing sets it apart from younger varieties like Blanco and Reposado.

The ageing in wooden barrels contributes to the development of complex flavours. Añejo Tequila often has notes of caramel, coffee, and a heavier oak presence, with a smoother and more nuanced taste than its younger counterparts. The prolonged contact with wood also imparts a rich, golden hue to the Tequila and reduces in spice and vegetal notes the longer it is aged.

The main difference between Añejo and Reposado is the time spent maturing in barrels. While Reposado will only be aged for two to 12 months, Añejo is aged for one to three years. This tends to give Tequila Añejo a deeper colour and more complex flavours.

Añejo Tequila is typically more expensive than Reposado Tequila due to the longer ageing process it must undergo. However, the price of Tequila will also vary depending on the brand, the region where it was produced and the quality of the agave used to make it.

We believe the best Añejo Tequila is best enjoyed straight, and sipped slowly. We do not recommend the addition of salt or lime, but you like to add an ice cube you can. It also works well in more robust cocktails (think: Tequila old fashioned) rather than lighter drinks. If you’re looking for the best Añejo Tequila for margaritas, consider a younger distillation rather than an older, as you may find the more complex flavours are lost in the sweet and salty cocktail.

Yes, Añejo Tequila is perfect for sipping. It is typically savoured straight, often served in a snifter glass. The ageing process enhances the sipping quality, making it a drink to be enjoyed slowly to appreciate its depth of flavour.

The best Tequila Añejo has the unique flavours of agave at its heart, but blends that with notes of vanilla, caramel, butterscotch and oak. Each Añejo is different, so don’t be afraid to explore a few different ones to find your favourite.

Añejo Tequila is best enjoyed straight, at room temperature or slightly below to allow the flavours and aromas to be fully released. Some people like it chilled, but the colder the Tequila, the more muted the flavours will be.

The word is pronounced ah-NYEH-ho, with the emphasis on the second syllable and a short o at the end. The letter ñ (eh-nyeh) is what gives the word the nyeh rather than neh sound.