Skip to main content

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

What is añejo tequila? All about the sweet spot of sipping tequilas

It's time to learn about añejo tequila

Tequila
Ivan Cortez/Unsplash

If you’re a bourbon drinker, you’ve probably noticed that the bottle often lists the actual age of the whiskey. You’ll see bottles listed as Widow Jane 10, Eagle Rare 17, and Pappy Van Winkle 23. Unlike whiskey (and some other spirits), tequila doesn’t list the year on its bottles.

Instead, you’ll see terms like blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo, cristalino, joven, and more. Blanco (also known as plata and silver) is often completely unaged and added directly to the bottle. But it can be aged in wood for as long as thirty days (and stainless steel for up to two months).

Recommended Videos

Reposado is the next level. It can mature as long as a full year. Extra Añejo is matured for at least three full years. Cristalino is mature tequila that’s filtered to remove color and impurities. Joven is a mix of blanco and reposado tequilas. We did leave off one variety: añejo

What is añejo tequila?

Agave
BRUNO CERVERA/Unsplash

When it comes to sipping tequilas, añejo is the sweet spot. This is the tequila variety for fans of bourbon and single malt Scotch whisky. It’s complex, nuanced, and perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks. To be considered an añejo tequila, it must be matured between one and three years. It gets its name from the Spanish word for “old”.

What does añejo taste like?

Anejo tequila
Fernando Andrade/Unsplash

Tequila is most often matured in oak barrels. While there are other barrels used, they are most often American or French oak. Also, many tequilas are aged in barrels that once held bourbon and other American whiskeys. The barrel used will impart different aromas and flavors.

But, in general, most añejo tequila will have flavors and aromas like charred oak, sticky toffee, toasted vanilla beans, pipe tobacco, roasted agave, honey, cinnamon, cracked black pepper, dried fruits, caramelized sugar, and more.

How to drink añejo tequila

Tequila
Alena Plotnikova/Tequila

Añejo is a very versatile type of tequila. Having been aged for at least a year (and often longer), it’s complex, flavorful, and well-suited for sipping neat, on the rocks, or with a splash or two of water. At the same time, if you buy a reasonably-priced bottle of añejo tequila, you’ll still feel comfortable mixing with it.

Mixing with añejo tequila

Tequila cocktail
Christopher Alvarenga/Unsplash

If you’re a tequila drinker, you can elevate your favorite whiskey-based cocktails by swapping out bourbon, blended Scotch whisky, rye whiskey, and other types of whiskey with añejo tequila.

Try a classic Old Fashioned with añejo tequila instead of the usual rye or bourbon for a unique, roasted agave take. The same goes for drinks like the Manhattan. You can also use añejo tequila as the base for classic tequila-driven drinks like the Paloma or Margarita to add depth and flavor.

Our favorite añejo tequilas

Tequila
Max Böhme / Unsplash

Now that you learned a little bit about añejo tequila, it’s time to find some to drink. Keep scrolling to see some of the best sippable, mixable añejo tequilas available today.

Casa Noble Añejo

A bottle of Casa Nobel tequila.
Casa Noble

Casa Noble is an underrated tequila brand that deserves your attention. While the distillery makes myriad notable expressions, we prefer its Casa Noble Añejo. Matured for a minimum of two full years in French oak barrels, this expression is known for its mix of toasted vanilla beans, butterscotch, dried fruits, cooked agave, and charred oak.

Don Julio Añejo

Don Julio Anejo
Don Julius

Made from 100% Blue Weber agave, Don Julio Añejo is a small batch tequila that spends a minimum of eighteen full months in American white oak barrels. The result is a sublimely complex, sippable, mixable expression with notes of roasted agave, vanilla beans, caramel, dried fruits, and oaky wood.

Fortaleza Añejo

Fortaleza Añejo
Fortaleza

This 100% Blue Weber agave-based tequila was made with pinas that were cooked in brick ovens, stone crushed, and distilled in copper pit stills. Matured for a full eighteen months in American oak barrels, it’s well-known for its complex flavor profile featuring hints of cooked agave, caramelized pineapple, candied nuts, toffee, citrus peels, and oak.

Bottom line

Tequila shot with salt
Francisco Galarza / Unsplash

If you’re a whiskey drinker who would like to branch out into tequila, añejo is the right choice for you. You should stock up on a bottle or two for sipping neat or on the rocks. As a bonus, añejo is a great choice for mixing. Use it as the base for your favorite tequila drinks or as a fresh, flavorful take on some of your favorite whiskey-based drinks. You can’t go wrong with any of the bottles we listed above. Just give añejo tequila a chance. You’ll be pleased you did.

Christopher Osburn
Christopher Osburn is a food and drinks writer located in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. He's been writing professional
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
What are the different types of bourbon?
There are a handful of different types of bourbon
whiskey glass

In my almost two decades of writing about alcohol, I've learned many things. One thing I realized is that America's "native spirit" bourbon is by far the most beloved American whiskey variety. Sure, there are countless fans of American-made rye whiskey and the newly categorized American single malt whiskey. But neither is as popular as bourbon.

For those new to this type of whiskey, bourbon is geographically specific to the US. It must be made in the US (but definitely not just Kentucky) and have a mash bill of at least 51% corn. It must be distilled to no more than 160 proof and enter the barrel at 125. It also must be matured in new, charred American oak barrels and contain no artificial colors or flavorings. While there are a handful of other rules and regulations, those are the most important.

Read more
New premium craft tequila TRULUSSÓ is launching
TRULUSSÓ Tequila is set to launch three expressions
Trulussó Tequila

Contemporary tequila drinkers have a lot of brands to choose from. It’s enough to make you feel overwhelmed. They will have one more to choose from because a new premium tequila brand is joining the shuffle. It’s called Trulussó, and it’s launching with three expressions: Blanco, Reposado, and  Añejo.
Trulussó Tequila

This new line of premium tequilas is distilled twice and bottled at Feliciano Vivanco distillery (NOM 1414) in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. It’s crafted by well-known master tequilero Sergio Cruz (known for Siempre, Yeyo, Los Dos, Cruz, and more tequilas).

Read more