EL Tequileno Gran Reserva Anejo (750Ml)

Description

El Tequileño Añejo Gran Reserva is a limited bottling from one of Jalisco's quietest family houses. Don Jorge Salles Cuervo founded El Tequileño in 1959 in the town of Tequila. Today his grandson, Master Distiller Tony Salles, runs the stills. The brand likes to call itself Mexico's best kept secret.

Gran Reserva began as a project with master winemaker Randy Ullom. He and the Salles family pick the barrels together. The first release came out in January 2021. It married a two-year añejo, rested in American and French oak, with a six-year extra añejo. A new edition comes out each year, so the exact blend can shift. The 2024 edition, for example, used ex-bourbon American barrels and French oak that once held Chardonnay. Ullom's wine background shows in how the barrels are chosen and layered.

The base spirit stays the same. It uses mature blue agave from the Jalisco Highlands and mineral-rich water from the Tequila volcano. Everything is distilled in copper pot stills and bottled at 40% ABV. No shortcuts are taken with the agave, and the family still runs the whole process. Tony Salles keeps the recipe his grandfather made famous for crisp blancos and reposados.

On the nose you will find oak, vanilla and bright orange over cooked agave. The palate adds sweet spice, dried fruit and caramel. Many tasters note a warm, lingering finish with oak and gentle spice. The texture is round and smooth, which makes it an easy sipper. Give the glass a few minutes to breathe. The orange and vanilla grow softer and the agave comes forward. A copita or a tulip glass helps you catch every note.

The bottle has earned real praise. It took a Gold Medal at Spirits Selection in 2020. In 2021 it was named Best of the Best by Robb Report and a Master at the Tequila & Mezcal Masters.

The producer says to enjoy it neat, and we agree. Serve it at room temperature in a small glass. It goes well with grilled steak, roast pork, aged gouda or a caramel flan. Dark chocolate truffles are another fine match. If you want a cocktail, a simple Añejo Old Fashioned lets the tequila lead. If you love sipping premium tequilas and other fine spirits, put this añejo tequila on your list.

Product Details

• SKU: 7501398100349
• Bottle Size: 750ml
• ABV: 40%
• Origin / Country: Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico
• Type: Añejo Tequila
• Brand: El Tequileño
• Agave: 100% blue Weber agave, Jalisco Highlands
• Age Statement: Limited blend of añejo and extra añejo; varies by annual release
• Cask Type: American and French oak
• Awards: Gold Medal, Spirits Selection 2020; Best of the Best, Robb Report 2021; Master, The Spirits Business Tequila & Mezcal Masters 2021
• Recommended Pairing: Grilled steak, roast pork, aged gouda, caramel flan
• Mixing Suggestion: Best neat; a premium Añejo Old Fashioned
• Taste Profile: Sweet spices, dried fruit, caramel
• Aroma & Bouquet: Oak, vanilla, orange, cooked agave
• Smooth & Finish: Round and smooth, warm lingering finish of oak and gentle spice