Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Cristalino tequila guide: Everything to know about it and which ones to drink

Get to know the contemporary style of tequila

Tequila in a shot glass
Mpho Mojapelo / Unsplash

I’ve been writing about alcohol for almost 20 years, and in that time, I’ve spent a long time sipping tequila and getting to know the various aging terms. Unlike whiskey, which often tells you the number of years it matured right on the label, tequila (like cognac) has a specific set of terms used to describe how long a tequila has matured.  You’ve probably heard about cristalino tequila in the last few years but might not know what it is.

There’s a good chance you know most of the tequila aging terms. Of course, blanco (also known as silver or plata) is the clear, often unaged (although it can be aged for at least three months) level. Then there’s reposado, which must be matured for at least 2 months up to one year, añejo, which is aged between one and three years, extra añejo, which is aged for longer than three years, and joven, which is a blend of blanco tequila and aged tequilas. Cristalino is the last aging term and one that’s fairly new to the tequila world — this cristalino tequila guide will shed more light on the subject.

Recommended Videos

What is cristalino tequila?

Tequila sign on restaurant
Max Böhme / Unsplash

First created in 2011, cristalino tequila was created by Don Julio to celebrate its 70th anniversary. The tequila was initially called añejo claro but was eventually changed to cristalino.

The name refers to the fact that this tequila style is completely clear, just like blanco tequila. But unlike blanco, it’s long-aged (after it’s an añejo tequila) before being filtered through charcoal to remove impurities and the color. In the years since, it’s become a popular style that countless distilleries have produced.

“It’s much more popular in Mexico than it is here,” Mike Dolan Sr., Mijenta’s co-founder and CEO, told Inside Hook in March. He’s right; while it’s rapidly growing in the U.S. (39% growth in dollar sales last year), it’s already the most popular style of tequila in Mexico.

What does cristalino taste like?

Tequila in shot glass next to a slice of lime
Ignácio Carósio Font / iStock

It should be no surprise that although cristalino is clear, it’s not a flavorless, dull spirit. The color (and impurities) have been removed, leaving the mature flavors behind. While cristalino tequilas might be different based on their age and who makes them, there are a few aromas and flavors that you’re likely to find.

Like a classic reposado or añejo, you’ll find a nose of oak, sweet caramel, vanilla, tropical fruits, and cooked agave. The palate might feature flavors like vegetal sweet agave, toffee, coconut, honey, candied nuts, oak, and more.

The best cristalino tequilas

Tequila shot glasses with lime slice
Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about cristalino tequilas, it’s time to find some to add to your tequila collection. Below, you’ll find some of our favorites. Some are from big names, and others are from lesser-known, notable brands. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Don Julio 70 Cristalino

Don Julio
Don Julio

No cristalino list is complete without Don Julio 70 Cristalino. This is the tequila that started it all. Made to celebrate founder Don Julio González’s 70th anniversary, it’s double distilled before maturing for 18 months in American white oak barrels. It’s then charcoal filtered to remove its color, making it appear to be a blanco tequila.

Tasting notes: Even though it looks like a blanco tequila, this mature tequila is known for its complex flavor profile, which features notes of toasted vanilla beans, cooked agave, sweet honey, toffee, ripe fruit, oaky wood, and light floral flavors.

Maestro Dobel Tequila Diamante Cristalino

Maestro Dobel
Maestro Dobel

Even though Don Julio 70 Cristalino came first, Maestro Dobel Tequila Diamante was the first tequila to be referred to as a cristalino. The folks at Maestro Dobel blend añejo, extra añejo, and reposado tequilas and then age them in new Balkan white wood barrels. The tequila is then charcoal filtered.

Tasting Notes: The result is a crystal clear tequila bursting with flavors like toasted vanilla beans, tropical fruits, cooked agave, oak, and caramel. Sip it neat or on the rocks and enjoy the nuanced, memorable aromas and flavors.

Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila Cristalino

Volcan De Mi Tierra
Volcan De Mi Tierra

Now is the time if you’ve never tried a tequila from Volcan De Mi Tierra (it translates to Volcano of My Land). Volcan De Mi Tierra Tequila Cristalino is a can’t-miss tequila. It starts as a blend of an añejo tequila that aged for one year in ex-whisky barrels and an extra añejo that spent three full years in cognac barrels. It’s then charcoal filtered to remove its color and impurities.

Tasting notes: This results in a complex, sippable, balanced tequila with flavors like candied almonds, vanilla beans, cooked agave, oak, and baking spices. This noteworthy tequila deserves to be sipped neat on an unseasonably cool evening.

El Tequileño Reposado Cristalino

El Tequileño
El Tequileño

While many cristalino tequilas have matured for years, the distillers at El Tequileño decided to craft a younger expression to appeal to different palates. El Tequileño Reposado Cristalino was rested for four months in American oak before being charcoal filtered to make it look like a blanco tequila.

Tasting notes: This young tequila is known for its surprisingly complex flavor palate, which features notes of candied orange peels, vegetal, cooked agave, toasted vanilla beans, pineapple, toffee candy, and light wintry spices.

Herradura Ultra Cristalino Añejo

Herradura
Herradura

Herradura is a big name in the tequila world. It’s known for its high-quality, noteworthy tequilas. Herradura Ultra Cristalino Añejo is no different. This tequila is a blend of tequilas that matured for at least 25 months in barrels that once held American whiskey (Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, or Woodford Reserve). After adding agave nectar, it’s filtered through charcoal.

Tasting notes: This creates a sublime sipping tequila loaded with flavors like toffee, honey, candied nuts, sweet agave, oak, and tropical fruits. It’s a memorable tequila you won’t soon forget.

Christopher Osburn
Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional
Just in time for March Madness, BuzzBallz and Lonzo Ball are launching a basketball you can drink from
BuzzBallz and Lonzo Ball are launching a basketball you can drink from
BuzzBallz

For basketball fans, March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year. Every year, the tournament features epic juggernauts and Cinderella teams. There's no doubt that there will be countless jaw-dropping buzzer-beaters. The only question is what you are going to drink while you watch the exciting upsets and last-second wins. The folks at BuzzBallz think you should enjoy the action while drinking from its new, epic, uniquely shaped bottle.
BuzzBallz Big Blue BBallz

The new drink from the pre-mixed cocktail brand is called BuzzBallz Big Blue BBallz, and that's not even the most exciting part. It actually comes in the first-ever drinkable basketball-shaped bottle. This basketball-sized, basketball-textured, and refillable ball is large enough to fit seventeen regular-sized (200ml) Berry Cherry Limeade BuzzBallz. The BuzzBallz Big Blue BBallz fits 116 ounces of liquid.

Read more
The chromium benefits you should know about (and the best food sources for you)
Add these foods to your grocery list to get the benefits of chromium
Broccoli on a chopping board

You've likely heard about how nutrients such as fiber, protein, and iron are essential for maintaining your health. While this is certainly true, there are many vitamins and minerals that don't necessarily get the attention they deserve, and chromium is one of them. As a nutritionist, I am always encouraging my clients to either be more intentional with their diets or take a multivitamin to try and cover all their bases. It can be hard sometimes to know exactly what you are missing.

Keep reading to learn about the many chromium benefits, the best food sources, advice on supplementation, and more.
What is chromium?

Read more
Código 1530 is launching a one-of-a-kind añejo tequila with George Strait
Código 1530 and George Straight are launching a tequila
Código 1530

George Strait is one of the most well-known country musicians of all time. He’s sold more than 120-million records in his five decades of making music and is known for hits like “Amarillo by Morning”, “Run”, and “The Chair”. To celebrate his latest album, the iconic musician is collaborating with Código 1530 to launch a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition tequila.
Código 1530 “Cowboys and Dreamers” Special Edition Añejo

The worlds of tequila and music are coming together for this exciting new tequila release. It’s called Código 1530 “Cowboys and Dreamers” Special Edition Añejo and it’s a reference to the name of George Strait’s newest album which was released in September of 2024.

Read more