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Cazcanes’ new 108-proof extra añejo is about as strong as tequila legally gets

At 54% ABV, Tributo Edition sits just below the 55% cap set by Mexico’s official tequila standard.

By Andy Vasoyan Nov 10, 2026 4:00 PM

Bottle, Liquor, Tequila — Cazcanes

There’s high-proof tequila, and then there’s tequila that’s up against the legal limit.

If you’re a fan of the latter, you’ll be thrilled with the new Extra Añejo No. 10 Tributo Edition from Los Angeles-based Cazcanes, a 108-proof, or 54% ABV, extra añejo celebrating 10 years since the brand’s first batch was distilled.

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That’s just one percentage point shy of the ceiling. Under Mexico’s official tequila standard, a tequila has to be bottled between 35% and 55% ABV, so it can’t go any higher than 110 proof.

It’s also the brand’s first still-strength aged expression, meaning it wasn’t cut with water before bottling. Cazcanes says that makes it the highest-proof extra añejo currently on the US market.

The tequila was aged in ex-whiskey barrels that were decharred and recharred. It’s made in Jalisco with water from Navichi Springs, sourced by the community of Hostotipaquillo, co-founder José Santillán’s hometown.

Only 3,650 bottles were made, which works out to one for every day of the brand’s first decade. Each comes with a collectible coin and a set of tequila flutes.

Why high-proof aged tequila is so rare

Many aged tequilas are cut with water to a lower proof before they hit shelves. Keeping an extra añejo at full strength is tricky, because extra añejos spend at least three years in barrels, and every year in wood changes how the spirit tastes at full proof.

That’s why tequila above 50% ABV is still a rarity, especially in the aged categories, where bourbon drinkers have had the luxury of barrel-proof options for years.

Cazcanes has built its name on that kind of uncompromising approach. It sources organic agave, slow-cooks its piñas, and makes small-batch, additive-free tequila with a cult following among agave nerds. From personal experience, the brand takes a lot of pride in maintaining the agave profile of their booze.

A 108-proof extra añejo is a natural next step, and a smart play for whiskey drinkers looking for something new to sip. It’s priced like a collectible, but it’s one with a surprising spec sheet. If you’re looking for something a little more everyday, here are some of the best tequilas for sipping.

Where to buy it

Cazcanes Extra Añejo No. 10 Tributo Edition is available now at Cazcanes.com for a suggested retail price of $499.99. Only 3,650 bottles were made, so expect it to go fast.

Andy Vasoyan is a Chicago-based writer and audio editor. He has been fortunate to visit distilleries and breweries across the… Read Full Bio

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Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

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