El Tequileño Extra Añejo commands a high price but is an elegant sipper.
Prominent tequila brand El Tequileño has recently introduced its most exclusive expression yet: El Tequileño Extra Añejo. This ultra-premium tequila is crafted using a refined blend aged for three to four years in ex-Jack Daniel’s American Oak and new French Oak barrels. The result is a meticulously aged spirit that offers a truly indulgent experience.
El Tequileño Extra Añejo is presented in a custom-made crystal Bastiaan Decanter. This prestigious decanter is meticulously crafted by the renowned premium glassmaker Pavisa Group, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall presentation. With a price tag of $800 per bottle, this expression is aimed at connoisseurs and collectors who appreciate the finest offerings in the tequila world.
El Tequileño was first established in 1959 by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo, an esteemed tequila pioneer in his own right. Throughout the years, the brand has consistently produced award-winning tequilas, earning a reputation for excellence. The tequilas are created using 100-percent Blue Agave sourced from the esteemed growing region of Los Altos de Jalisco combined with mineral-rich water from El Volcan de Tequila. Don Jorge Salles was highly regarded for his craftsmanship in producing blancos and reposados, including the renowned “world’s first and only Reposado Rare,” which undergoes a six-year maturation process in an American Oak Pipón.
Founded in 1959 by Don Jorge Salles Cuervo, who is part of the family behind the world’s most famous tequila brand, El Tequileño is now led by third-generation master distiller Jorge Antonio “Tony” Salles and his father, gran tequilero Juan Antonio Salles. Together, they are responsible for the new Extra Añejo expression. This release is a first for the brand, offering a rarity in price and the amount of liquid involved.
With the introduction of El Tequileño Extra Añejo, the brand continues to push boundaries and cater to discerning tequila enthusiasts seeking an unparalleled sipping experience.
The Extra Añejo blend begins with carefully selected mature agave from Los Altos de Jalisco. Tony Salles shared that the tequila was crafted to produce the best possible quality. Working in collaboration, Tony and his father selected three barrels of tequila for their unique flavours and characteristics. These barrels, aged in French and American oak, were blended to create a rich and complex Extra Añejo tequila.
Two American oak barrels, having previously aged Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, were used in the maturation process—one for three years and one for four years. The French oak barrel made of virgin wood was used to mature the tequila for four years. The selection of these barrels was based on the balance they maintained between the agave and oak characteristics during maturation. Early tastings confirm that the chosen barrels successfully contribute to the tequila’s profile, which features crisp pepper and grass notes on the nose, followed by cooked agave, sweet vanilla, black cherry, maple, and orange zest on the palate. It is a sophisticated sipping tequila that justifies its premium price point.
Tony Salles, El Tequileño’s Master Distiller, said: “We begin with only the finest mature agave from Los Altos de Jalisco, carefully crafted to produce the best possible tequila. Our special Extra Añejo blend was a collaboration between my father and me. Three barrels of tequila, matured in French and American oak, were hand-selected for their unique flavour and character. These were carefully blended to create an Extra Añejo tequila with rich flavour and complexity.”
Presented in a crystal Bastiaan decanter with an agave-inspired stopper, El Tequileño Extra Añejo is a visually striking offering. Currently available in select markets with a suggested retail price of $800, interested customers can reserve a bottle on the brand’s website.
