Volans Añejo

Volans – for the love of music, fly fishing and tequila! Volans is a family-owned, traditionally made, small batch tequila.

This is a limited-edition añejo tequila batch of 2,700 bottles, which is an extension of Volans’ successful single barrel reposado program. They started with 20 barrels, ten were dedicated for single barrel reposados released at different ABVs, and the other ten were reserved for Volans Añejo tequila. 

Three of these barrels (2 German Oak and 1 French Oak) came from California and were previously used to age red wine. The other seven barrels came from three different distilleries in Kentucky that previously aged bourbon, for a total of 70% American Oak, 20% German Oak and 10% French Oak in the batch.

All were “wet” barrels with varying degrees of char and toast, which were filled with 45% ABV blanco tequila for just over a year, then blended and diluted down to 42 abv.

The variety of barrels and chars create a very unusual, intriguing, and balanced blend. For me, this is one of the best añejos ever produced! Kudos to brand owners Chad and Cristina Allen, and of course master distiller Felipe Camarena, who makes this brand at El Pandillo (NOM 1579) in the Highlands.

Nose: It has a little of the old El Tesoro Tequila nose that I love (tropical/banana/bubble gum), some barrel notes, cooked agave, mild oak, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, anise.

Palate: Cooked agave, brown sugar, creme brulée, vanilla, caramel, pepper and dried fruit.

Finish: Sweet and dry with a nice warmth that lingers.

Overall: This is one of the best añejos I've ever had. It is very well balanced. Remarkably so, given the breadth of the blend. I love that it is not oaky, and the agave still shines through.