El Tesoro Tequila Aniversario Extra Anejo

In June, 2008, my girlfriend (Linda) and I traveled to Guadalajara specifically to visit tequila distilleries. We spent two days in the Los Altos region. Our most interesting experience was visiting the El Tesoro distillery called "La Altena". We also stopped by the bottling plant and distribution facility in downtown Arandas where we purchased our first bottle of El Tesoro Aniversario Tequila. Now that we have finished that bottle and moved on to our second bottle (obtained domestically, unfortunately) I feel it is time to review this outstanding tequila. Put succinctly, Aniversario is extraordinarily distinctive in its taste. Mellow, smooth, sweet, light in color (even after being aged for 7 years), and unique. I can't imagine any other tequila will ever taste like this. Linda and I both were amazed, but to prove this to yourself I suggest a flight. Try Aniversario, Don Julio 1942, and Gran Corralejo Anejo since these 3 tequilas have similar characteristics. I love them all but the Aniversario is easily distinguised from the other two. On the down side, the bottle is average, but who needs a work of art when the tequila is the work of art.

Strong cherry cough syrup scent (I find it enjoyable) leads into a much softer initial taste. The cherry is still there though much fainter than the nose would suggest. Overall the taste was a bit light, a touch of agave, no burn, just a bit of heat at the tip of the tongue in the slightly dry finish.
It is a unique tequila, though over-priced at the retail of $130.

El Tesoro 70th Aniversario Extra Anejo NOM 1139 Tasted on 4/4/08 at 9:30pm. I purchased 3/4 ounces of this tequila at the Grad Tequila Bar in Davis, CA for $8.33 and tasted it out of a snifter. The tequila is a golden amber color. El Tesoro 70th Extra Anejo aromas consist of intense fruit and floral aspects followed by moderate caramel, spice, and earth. On the lighter side, this Extra Anejo has mild aromas of vanilla. On the tongue, this tequila is mellow and has a heavy and sweet, syrupy mouth feel. While the tequila has moderate to heavy agave flavor, it is sweet and has no bitterness. The flavor of this tequila contains intense flavors of floral followed by moderate to intense agave and wood. Deeper flavors of El Tesoro 70th consist of moderate fruit and caramel. Upon finishing this tequila, there is a long duration of flavor and numbing alcohol intensity. I have rated this tequila at 94 out of 100 points.

First Tasting, April 2007, straight from the Barrel. Second Tasting, July 7, 2007, 70th Anniversary Party, Multiple Tastings After

I will review my first tasting after the initial tasting and the party. Environment can skew the results. Placing the nose higher on the reidel reveals carmel. Placement of the nose (front, back, middle) all reveal the El Tesoro trademark earthiness/mineral nose.
The tequila appears much more mellow than you might expect of a 7 year aged anejo. However upon tasting, this tequila is anything but mellow. It contains heavy agave taste. I love it! It does not contain the heavy wood taste you might expect of a 7 yr anejo, but it does contain just enough to tell you that you are drinking an anejo. The tequila is smooth, but not too sweet. The fruit and carmel found in the nose again reveal themselves on the tastebuds.

I just love the tequila from the Arandas area, it's always so flavorful, with lots of spiciness and character.
This tequila has a real smoky, spicy flavor that I find very good. Don't crucify me but I made a margarita with it and the flavor combination was outstanding. Don't think I can afford this as a Margarita teqila but once in a while, maybe!