Review: Corralejo Añejo Tequila   (89/100)
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Posted February 19, 2018

Hacienda Corralejo was established in 1775 by Don Pedro Sanchez de Tagle in the Mexican State of Guanajuato. The distillery (Nom 1368 CRT) uses traditional methods of fermentation and distillation with clay ovens used to cook the agave and copper pot stills for the distillation.

According to the Corralejo website their Anejo Tequila is a 100% agave spirit aged for 12 months in American oak barrels. The website indicates the Corralejo Añejo is bottled at 38 % alcohol by volume which is probably true for the domestic market; however, my sample bottle ( available in Canada) is labelled, 40 % alcohol by volume which is also the bottling proof of the spirit in the USA.

In the Bottle 4.5/5

I really like the presentation of the Corralejo Añejo. It has caught my eye more than once in the local retail outlets. It is unique, and to me, it seems to capture a feeling of festive Mexican spirit. the tall bottle is cork sealed which I appreciate as i always love to here that satisfying ‘pop’ as the cork is removed the first time. I should note that the bottle is red, not the spirit. The red bottle of the Añejo tequila is said to represent prosperity.

The only quibble I have is that the bottle is so tall and slender, that not only does it not fit my tequila shelf very well, it is also very easy to tip over if jostled. I have recently adjusted my shelves to accommodate these taller bottles as I seem to be accumulating more than a few, and I admit that the bottle looks just fine among the other bottles on my shelf in spite of my misgivings.

In the Glass 9/10

In the glass, Corralejo Añejo is a pale gold spirit consistent with a spirit which has spent about a year in oak. I gave my glass a slow tilt and then an even slower swirl. The crest of the light sheen imparted on the side of the glass slowly dropped droopy leglets which fell as slender legs back down to the spirit below.

The breezes above the glass carried scents of fruity agave with fine wood spices, soft pepper, and light indications of ginger coming forward. Citrus zest with hints of lime followed along with soft vanilla and butterscotch. There is a light indication of almond and coffee with a smattering of cocoa as well. I am quite impressed. The aroma is balanced and inviting.

In the Mouth 53.5/60

The Corralejo Añejo Tequila is smooth with leading out with a combination of light butterscotch, vanilla and fine wood spices. The fruity agave plays coy at first but slowly reveals itself with its sweet flavour which reminds me of baked butternut squash. Mild impressions of coffee and cocoa with perhaps just a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon follow as does a light cane sweetness.

Taking another sip, I notice that a little squeal of highland heat brightens the palate bringing me impressions of white pepper and citrus zest. This is not a firm bite of pepper, just a little squeal to let you know that the tequila has a gentle bite. Everything is in balance and I am finding myself enjoying the spirit so much that I stopped taking tasting notes and retired for the evening with a small glass in front of the television.

It was not until the next day that I decided to mix a cocktail, my Winter Margarita which is shown below.

In the Throat 13/15

The Añejo Tequila finishes with a combination of soft fruity agave, light butterscotch, vanilla, and a touch of coffee. I can taste hazelnuts as well as a light impression of orange Curacao. After the swallow a light build-up of white pepper and ginger heats the palate just enough to make the mouth pucker in anticipation of another sip.

The Afterburn 9/10

I am very pleased with the Corralejo Añejo Tequila. The spirit is soft and well balanced with the oak flavours (in the form of vanilla, butterscotch, coffee and cocoa) melded very nicely into the fruity agave. The peppery heat so typical of tequila is present as a light squeal of white pepper and citrus zest, but this light squeal is tempered such that it compliments rather than disturbs the melded agave and oak flavours.

I found I was very pleased sipping the aged agave spirit neat (without ice). However, I was also not adverse to making a nice cocktail to enjoy as well.

You may read some of my other Tequila Reviews (click the link) if you wish to have some comparative reviews.

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Suggested Recipe:

When the evenings are cold here in Alberta, I want a stronger more intense cocktail than the typical summertime Margarita offers. Making such a cocktail with bitters and an aged spirit also offers a cocktail with depth and character. Here is my Winter Margarita.

Winter Margarita

2 oz Añejo Tequila (Corralejo Añejo)
3/4 oz Orange Curacao
1/2 oz fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Sugar Syrup (1:1 ratio)
dash Aztec Chocolate Bitters (Fees Brothers)
Ice
Lime Slice

Add the six ingredients into a metal cocktail shaker with ice
Shake until the sides of the shaker frost
Strain into a cocktail glass
Add a Lime Slice for garnish

Enjoy!

If  you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more mixed drink recipes!