Your 10 Favorite Añejo Tequilas

Añejo tequila is kind of weird. It can be the Jan Brady of tequila expressions, caught between the hyper-popular reposado and the treasured extra añejo.

Aged, but not SUPER aged. Luxury but maybe not as high-falutin as XA.

In the United States, añejo is about 10% of all tequila sales at stores. But, añejo fans LOVE them some añejo, as was made clear in the voting for this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Late last year, we asked Tequila Report readers (then, Tequila Jay Baer readers) to vote on their favorite tequilas. More than 1,000 of you did, making this the largest independent poll of tequila preferences available.

Here are YOUR Top 10 favorite añejo tequilas:

Made by Sergio Cruz at Sergio Vivanco & Associates in Los Altos, this is a bourbon lovers’ dream. No surprise as brand owner McCauley Williams also owns the Duck Club bourbon brand.

Also The Tequila Report is launching a special batch Alma del Jaguar high proof añejo soon that’s 54% American oak rested for 28 months, and 46% French oak rested for 21 months. 46.8% ABV. It’s AMAZING, so watch for it.

This regular añejo expression also features a mix of American and French barrels, at 40% ABV.

Very balanced and approachable despite bringing big flavor. Lots of cooked agave, vanilla, and caramel in this añejo from a family that makes just a single brand of tequila. An absolute classic, at a steal of a price.

The fact that the first-ever añejo batches from Wild Common hit #8 on Readers’ Choice Awards is astonishing. But that’s how good this one is. Slightly over-proof and made with care at NOM 1123 (Cascahuín). Lots of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking spice here. Give it a few minutes to open up before trying.

If you like these tequilas, you might also be interested in our complete list of bottles for bourbon fans!

Sometimes called “Baby Tears” because it mimics some of the flavors of the legendary (and expensive) Tears of Llorona extra añejo produced at the same distillery. Crafted by Enrique Fonseca at NOM 1146 in the Valley using agaves from his family estates in The Highlands, this is the tequila you give your bourbon friends who say they don’t like tequila.

As with all El Tesoro releases, it’s just rock solid. Not dainty. Packed with flavor. Heavy minerality but with a pretty noticeable wood and pepper backbone. Sort of a rustic approach to añejo compared to many (especially newer brands). Broadly distributed so findable in more places.

The sibling of the ArteNOM 1146 awarded above. Made at the same distillery, with the same cast of talented characters. The primary difference is the wood. Whereas ArteNOm 1146 opts for American oak barrels, this Don Fulano leans into French oak and Hungarian oak and presents a lighter, sweeter expression that’s heavy on butterscotch and plum. Makes a killer Old Fashioned.

This tequila was barely made for over a year, as the brand focused on making enough blanco tequila to meet soaring demand. Now, with an expanded distillery and more barrel space, G4 añejo (and G4 reposado, for that matter) are back in business. You’ll start seeing this very light añejo on shelves soon. It’s a stark contrast to others on this list - including Cazcanes just below - because maker Felipe Camarena at El Pandillo in Los Altos employs very old barrels that haven’t been re-charred. This gives a much more agave-forward añejo than is typical, making this the añejo for people who prefer reposado. And considering it’s #4 overall, there seems to be quite a few of those folks!

Gorgeous barrel blends are a hallmark of this fast-growing tequila brand. The añejo is offered in two styles: #7 at 40% ABV and #9 at 50% ABV - which are typically released as single barrel special editions. The #7 shines with caramel, butterscotch, dried fruits, and bananas. Also a great pick to give your whiskey buddies.

Ocho just keeps expanding their production, and fans just keep snapping up the bottles. This brand is dedicated to the art of tequila terroir, with each batch being made only from agaves from a particular ranch or region. Indeed, each release DOES taste different, so pay attention to the regional/ranch designation on the label and compare and contrast for yourself. Also, if you can find an Ocho single barrel or special edition añejo, they’re usually superb (although more pricey than the $69 regular añejo).

There’s a good chunk of tequila fans out there who will assert this is their favorite tequila, period. They have a point, as the most-aged release from legendary brand Fortaleza balances caramel, butterscotch, honey, and bourbon notes in a form and fashion that will create smiles every time. Note that their batches also vary a fair bit in flavor, so pay attention to the LOTE number on the label.