Tequila is an interesting spirit. It seems to have two sides. One side is a wild, over-the-top party, and the other is casual and comfortable. The first side is Blanco tequila shots with salt and lime wedges and bright, vibrant, sugary cocktails. The second side is long-aged, nuanced tequilas crafted to be sipped neat. While there’s a time and place for the party side of tequila, today is all about complexity and age. Specifically, today I want to delve into tequilas suited for whiskey drinkers.
After two decades of writing about alcohol, I can let you in on one important secret: alcohol is complicated, and learning everything about each one takes a lot of time (and sampling). When I first started drinking in my early 20s, I thought tequila was merely a spirit for shots or cocktails. I didn’t even realize there was a whole mature side to it. As I got more into bourbon and single malt Scotch whisky, I realized that I was completely missing out on sipping aged tequilas.
What types of tequilas are good for whiskey fans?
Sure, a whiskey fan can enjoy a complex, well-made Blanco tequila, as there are many on the market. But if you want to get the most out of your tequila-drinking experience, you’ll opt for reposado, añejo, and extra añejo tequilas. While some blanco tequilas have spent time in a barrel, these three other styles pick up many of the complex, nuanced barrel-centric flavors that whiskey drinkers crave.
For a little background, reposado tequila must be aged for at least 2 months but no more than 1 year. Añejo, aged between 1 and 3 years, might be a better starting point for whiskey drinkers. Extra añejo, with an age of more than 3 years, is an even better choice. Just like with whiskey, the longer tequila ages, the more it picks up barrel aromas and flavors such as toasted vanilla beans, charred oak, caramelized sugar, baking spices, and dried fruits, along with the roasted agave sweetness already present in the spirit.
Just like with your favorite single malt, you’ll want to drink these tequilas neat, on the rocks, or with a splash or two of water (depending on the proof). These aren’t mixing tequilas. Save the value-priced Blanco for that purpose.
How I pick the tequilas for whiskey drinkers
I’m looking for a few characteristics when picking tequilas for whiskey drinkers. For one thing, they must be well-balanced. They should also be reasonably priced or at least have a good price-to-quality ratio. Lastly, they need to be aged and have some of the same (or similar) aromas and flavors of my favorite bourbon, single malt Scotch whisky, and other whiskeys.
The best tequilas for whiskey drinkers
So, we’ve learned about the best types of tequilas for whiskey drinkers and what flavors they’ll find when they crack open a bottle. That said, it’s time to actually find some bottles to add to your home bar. Keep scrolling to see all of my favorites.
Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva
This ultra-premium añejo tequila is made from 100% Blue Weber agave. This additive-free expression is matured for at least 18 months in a combination of American oak, French oak, French acacia, and cherry wood. This results in a balanced, memorable tequila that opens with notes of baked agave, toffee, chocolate fudge, oak, and spices. The palate is centered on notes of vegetal, sweet, roasted agave, toasted vanilla beans, caramel candy, dried fruits, and oaky wood. The finish is long and warm, ending with a mix of sweetness and spice.
G4 Añejo
Distilled by renowned master distiller Felipe Camarena at the El Pandillo Distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, G4 Añejo is a 100% Blue Weber agave tequila matured for 18 months in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. This creates an 80-proof tequila perfect for whiskey drinkers that begins with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, toasted agave, cinnamon candy, candied orange peels, and oak. Sipping it reveals notes of butterscotch cookies, roasted agave, candied nuts, honey, and oaky wood. The finish is lingering and warm, ending with a balance of cracked black pepper and sweet caramel.
Cazcanes No. 7 Extra Añejo
If you only purchase one of these tequilas and you’re a whiskey fan, make it Cazcanes No. 7 Extra Añejo. As the name suggests, this small batch, extra añejo tequila is aged for 37 months in re-charred American oak barrels that are sourced from Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, Four Roses, and more. This makes for a unique, noteworthy tequila that begins with a nose of candied nuts, citrus zest, roasted agave, cinnamon, and caramel. The palate is centered on notes of dried fruits, baked agave sweetness, chocolate, toffee, and oak. The finish is medium and warm, ending with a gentle mix of caramel and vanilla sweetness and light spices.
El Tesoro Extra Añejo
As you learned earlier, extra añejo tequilas need to be matured for longer than 3 years. El Tesoro takes that one step further and matures its El Tesoro Extra Añejo between 4 and 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels. This results in a nuanced, balanced expression that opens with a nose of roasted agave, coffee beans, raisins, charred oak, and toasted vanilla beans, then moves into a palate of cocoa powder, coffee, candied orange peels, and caramelized sugar. The finish is long and warm, ending with a mix of toffee sweetness and peppery spice that leaves you craving more.
Tres Generaciones Añejo
To say that this tequila is a great choice for whiskey drinkers is an understatement. This 100% Blue Weber agave-based expression is triple-distilled before being matured for at least 12 months in toasted American oak barrels. The result is a mellow, sippable tequila that begins with scents of sticky toffee pudding, toasted vanilla beans, roasted agave, oak, and light spices. Sipping it reveals a symphony of flavors, including oaky wood, dried fruits, vanilla, butterscotch, sweet agave, and light baking spices. The finish is long and warm, ending with a balance of oak and spice.
