Review: El Tesoro Añejo Tequila (89.5/100)
a review by Chip Dykstra (Aka Arctic Wolf)
Revised June 16, 2023

El Tesoro is a premium tequila brand produced by Tequila Tapatio, S.A. de C.V. who make their teuila at the La Alteña Distillery. La Alteña was founded in 1937 by Don Felipe Camarena and is located near the town of Arandas in the Jalisco (Los Altos Southern) Highlands.

The distillery uses traditional means to produce their tequila preferring the Tohona Wheel to the roller mill for shredding the agave pina’s, after of course the pinas have been baked in brick stone ovens. They also use open air wooden fermentation tanks rather than stainless steel tanks, and of course they double distill the fermented juice in copper pot stills.

In 2021 Tequila Tapatio, S.A. de C.V.  was named Tequila producer of the year by the prestigious IWSC (International Wine & Spirits Competition).

El Tesoro Anejo has been aged from one to three years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels (The sell sheets say two to three years, however the Tequila Tapatio website makes a lesser claim of one to three years).  The anejo spirit is bottled at 40 % alcohol by volume.

In The Bottle 4/5

El Tesoro Anejo arrives in the medium tall wide mouthed bottle to the left. It has a cork topper and a heavy base which adds a certain amount of pizzazz to the presentation.

I am somewhat disappointed by the label though. I find it kind of a drab affair lacking in colour and character. In Ontario (where may sample originated) the spirit sells for almost $100.00 a bottle so I expect a little more when judging the presentation.)

In The Glass 9/10

The spirit is pale in the glass which makes me quite happy. A darker colour would imply the addition of caramel, as El Tesoro makes the point that no additives have been added to their spirit, and the pale colour seems to confirm this.

The nose is quite nice. The aromatic sensations seem to be in harmony with agave and pepper taking the starring roles but supported well by the other scents and smells in the merry little breezes.

In those breezes above the glass, there is a nice fruity agave aroma (similar to grilled squash but punkier) complimented by peppery spice. Light oak accents and a mild indication of vanilla indicate the time the spirit spent resting in oak barrels. Hints of baking spice and a dabble of butterscotch give me a vague sense of fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls. Finally, bits of orange peel and citrus find their way into the breezes as does a scattering of tea leaves and a herbal/floral note that reminds me of heather.

In The Mouth 54/60

The fruity agave leads out accented with some white pepper, vanilla and butterscotch. The oak is subdued and I think its purpose was more to rest the tequila allowing its natural flavours to meld than it was to impart its own signature on the spirit. Some citrus (orange peel and lime) brightens the palate, and a light dose of cinnamon spice adds some complexity.  A light herbal quality runs through the spirit which is both earthy and floral but hard to identify as a particular flavour impression.

This is one of those spirits where the taste descriptors do not do justice to the overall impact the spirit has as we sip. There is a sense of polish, as the flavour impressions sort of slip and slide together bringing about a feeling of balance and nuance which I find quite delightful.

When ice is added to the glass the tequila becomes creamy with a nice mouthfeel which adds to my enjoyment.

In The Throat 13.5/15

The tequila has a softness which gives the finish a little length. Some heated pepper and citrus compliment the finish which is full of soft agave. A touch of herbal menthol lingers.

The Afterburn 9/10

El Tesoro Anejo is an excellent tequila. Despite the fact that the oak only blushes the flavour profile, the flavour of the spirit is such that sipping is quite easy. The aged tequila is balanced, and brings flavour nuances forward that are very enjoyable to explore. Despite my disappointment in the bottle presentation, this is an anejo tequila I will want to share with my friends.

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

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You may (loosely) interpret the scores as follows.

0-25     A spirit with a rating this low would actually kill you.
26-49   Depending upon your fortitude you might actually survive this.
50 -59  You are safe to drink this…but you shouldn’t.
60-69   Substandard swill which you may offer to people you do not want to see again.
70-74    Now we have a fair mixing Tequila.  Accept this but make sure it is mixed into a cocktail.
75-79    You may begin to serve this to friends, (we are probably still cocktail in territory).
80-84    We begin to enjoy this spirit neat or on the rocks. (I will still primarily mix cocktails)
85-89    Excellent for sipping or for mixing delicious cocktails!
90-94    Definitely a primary sipping spirit, in fact you may want to hoard this for yourself.
95-97.5 The Cream of the Crop
98+       I haven’t met this bottle yet…but I want to.

Very loosely we may put my scores into terms that you may be familiar with on a Gold, Silver, and  Bronze medal  scale as follows:

70 – 79.5    Bronze Medal (Recommended only as a mixer)
80 – 89.5     Silver Medal (Recommended for sipping and or a high quality mixer)
90 – 95         Gold Medal (Highly recommended for sipping and for sublime cocktails.)
95.5+            Platinum Award (Highest Recommendation)