America’s infatuation with tequila has been aided in large part by the rise of the añejo. Rested for one to three years in oak barrels, these expressions provide an ideal entry for whiskey and bourbon lovers hoping to delve into the rich, vegetal realm of agave spirits.
Just like whiskey, however, these age-stated bottlings often veer into expensive territory — sometimes for all the wrong reasons. Though it’s natural to assume that top-shelf prices accompany top-shelf liquor, a few too many brands are content to churn out sub-standard work that’ll drain your wallet and leave you disappointed.
Today, we’ll hone in on five (confirmed additive-free) of the best añejo tequilas at five drastically different prices, each just as good as the last. Selections range from under $40 to over $200.
Under $40: Arette Añejo
Within the bartending world, “workhorse” spirits refer to dependable, budget-friendly bottles perfect for mixology and well liquor. Arette takes this concept in stride with a literal horse stamped on each bottle — in an incidental nod to current events, the same horse that won double gold for Mexico at the 1948 Olympics .
The distiller’s flagship añejo — which clocks in at just $30 — could be considered an award-winning athlete in its own right. Aged for 14 to 18 months in ex-bourbon barrels, the tequila excels leagues beyond the majority of offerings at its price point. Dense aromas of agave, butterscotch and banana swirl on the nose followed by a perfectly complex palate of caramel, honey, butter and light whiskey notes.
What’s more, the spirit is steeped in regional lore. Arette is overseen by Eduardo and Jaime Orendain, descendants of one of the four so-called “tequila founding families” today recognized for the likes of Jose Cuervo, Sauza and Herradura. Unlike those brands, Arette still abides by an additive-free recipe. Also unlike those brands, master distiller Eduardo Orendain so happens to be the former mayor of the town of Tequila, Mexico.
Though its products can prove a hint harder to find than its “founding” siblings, they’re well worth the time and effort. If you’re reaching for a bottle to make the perfect Oaxacan old fashioned, Arette Añejo is the one to beat.
$41-$60: Tapatio Añejo
A recurring theme within the tequila industry is that of family legacy. In this case, we’re talking about the Camarenas, responsible for a who’s who of acclaimed imprints including El Tesoro, Tequila Ocho, Pasote and G4.
No offshoot exemplifies that history better than Tapatio. Brought to market in 1940 by the famed Don Felipe Camarena, the brand has persisted for decades as a symbol of consistent quality in an ever-changing spirits market. Its offerings today are no different. Tapatio 110 is one of the best still strength tequilas that money can buy, and Tapatio Excellencia is easily one of the best extra añejos.
This, however, is neither a still strength nor an extra añejo roundup. Aged 18 months in ex-first-fill bourbon barrels, Tapatio Añejo successfully manages the tricky tightrope between oak influence and recognizable agave flavor. Buttery notes of vanilla, milk chocolate and cinnamon contrast nicely against orange peel, lingering fruit and a distinctly peppery finish. At $60, this works just as well over the rocks as it does inside a cocktail.
In case you’re wondering, the brand’s name — famously shared by Tapatio Hot Sauce (no relation) — pays homage to a Mexican slang word referring to residents of the city of Guadalajara.
$61-$100: Don Fulano Añejo
Alongside “casa,” “gran” and “agave,” “don” is by far one of the most common prefixes you’ll find etched on a tequila label. For our money, Don Fulano is one of the few that lives up to its honorific name.
The brand is distilled at the Fonseca family’s NOM 1146, best known for extra añejo imprints like Tears of Llorona and Fuenteseca. Unlike those expressions, which run the gamut from five to a virtually unheard-of 19 years in the barrel, Don Fulano Añejo is rested for an admirable 30 months in French Limousin and Nevers oak casks that previously held wine.
Sweetened influences are aplenty. Aromas of mango and papaya are offset by an unexpected sour fruit note reminiscent of an acidic Sauvignon Blanc. Nuance continues onto the palate, defined by a mix of brown sugar, noticeable tannin character, sweet rising bread and roasted banana. With so many flavors simmering in the pot, it’s a miracle that none overwhelms the other.
At this point in the list, we’re entering firmly into solo-sipping territory. Perhaps an autumn night gathered around the campfire. Though prices vary, you can usually find bottles of Don Fulano Añejo at just under $100.
$101-$200: Cierto Tequila Private Collection Añejo
Clocking in at nearly one and a half feet tall, Cierto’s skyscraper of a bottle was just a smidge too big for us to fully capture on camera. Were we ranking based on height alone, this añejo would be our sole recommendation, hands down.
Cierto is the latest launch from the previously noted Fonseca family, representing another foray outside its typical comfort zone. Similar to Don Fulano Añejo, this expression is aged in ex-wine and ex-cognac French Limousin oak barrels, though this time around Nevers oak casks were left out of the equation. The technique has proven an immediate smash-hit; with over 950 medals and awards under its belt, the brand proudly describes itself as the “world’s most awarded tequila” — an honor you’ll find repeated frequently after a quick Google search.
We may not be in the business of giving out gold medals, but we, too, found a lot to like in Cierto. On the nose, its añejo swirls with ripened aromas of apple, pear and bananas balanced by a welcome hit of creme brûlée. Its palate gives way to similar influences, albeit with a touch more oak, clove and buttercream. A long, spice-forward finish does well to highlight the spirit’s 18 months in the barrel.
This older sibling of sorts to Don Fulano will run you $169.
$201+: Tres Generaciones 50th Anniversary Tequila Añejo
Tres Generaciones, a ubiquitous mid-budget sight on liquor store shelves across the country, decided it’d go back to square one in honor of its 50th anniversary at the end of 2023.
Rarely do you see a brand foray quite so far outside its comfort zone. Recruiting help from the critically acclaimed Cascahuin distillery, Tres Generaciones designed an ode to all things old-school: agaves were slow roasted in masonry ovens, crushed with a tahona and double distilled in copper pot stills. The añejo was then aged 14 months in charred American white oak and bottled at a welcomely high 45% ABV.
The final product proves that the industry’s biggest names still have plenty of room to make big innovations. A toasty nose of brown sugar, baked apples, mango and kiwi fruit gives way to flavors of tropical fruit, cinnamon and ginger. The finish is arguably the star of the show, reveling in a spicy mix of pepper, maple and pear punctuated by a hint of char and minerality.
The $200 bottling is like apple pie in a glass. Amid endless talk of stagnation and laziness in the tequila market, we’d love to see more brands like Tres Generaciones experiment with all the delicious spirits nerd possibilities available at their fingertips.
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5 Best Añejo Tequilas to Buy in 2024 at Any Price Point first appeared on
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