Chinaco Tequila Anejo

Definitely the softy of the Chinaco family while still retaining that classic Chinaco essence. Dark and smoky nose, with a touch of alcohol in the background. Very crisp on the tongue. Barrel-heavy. Flavours of light earthy agave, caramel, big wood, and a touch of alcohol. A good long finish, nice smoky pepper on the tongue as well as heated oak down the throat and into the chest. After-finish of sweet earthiness with a touch of alcohol. This is the anejo that keeps on giving. There are some delightfully sharp edges here and this is a very good anejo - quite possibly the Bourbon of all tequilas - but there are other full-bodied more well-rounded anejos I'd reach for first. Looks great on the shelf, though.

I was disappointed in this bottle. I brought it back from a vacation in Mexico, but even there I paid almost $50 USD for a bottle. (Not at the airport either!)

The initial flavor is nice enough, but it has a very harsh bite for an Anejo. I had a bottle of Gran Centenario at the same time, and tasting them side-by-side there was no comparison. Centenario is much smoother, richer, and more flavorful. Plus, it runs $30 - $35 at the Total Beverage near where I live.

Don't get me wrong, I finished the bottle, but not until after the Centenario was gone!

I drank this tequila out of a crystal snifter. The nose on this is deceiving. It yields a pleasant aroma of agave, vanilla and earth. Upon my first sip I was overwhelmed by the flavor of burnt wood. Then as I sat with it in my mouth, letting the flavors develop and decode, I realized that this Anéjo was over powered by a strange flavor; very reminiscent of Bourbon. In-fact, I question if this tequila was stored in burnt wood barrels. The body was boring with no real definition or characteristics. It had so-so legs and did not impress with any definition. The finish was bathed in the flavor of bourbon.
I will admit, I like my tequila to taste like Agave, mixed with subtle nuances that define its production. If I want bourbon, I will buy bourbon, but I do not... I want Anéjo Tequila. Though this brand is in many bars and served as their "top shelf". I must say I find it very disappointing and not worth the cost of admission. If you want sunshine bathed Agave tasting Tequila, then look elsewhere.

Nice and thick with a rich amber color. Smooth, with strong vanilla undertones.