Last Updated on: 5th April 2024, 09:22 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Casamigos Añejo vs Herradura Añejo in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Tequila is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Casamigos Añejo vs Herradura Añejo: Head-to-Head
Casamigos Añejo Tequila: Gentle, smooth with a sweet vanilla and caramel aroma. Offers a subtle butterscotch flavor with a hint of spice. A less complex añejo, it’s easy for casual sipping, albeit with less agave prominence.
Herradura Añejo Tequila: Rich in oak and vanilla, this tequila presents a bold, full-bodied flavor profile with a warming, oaky finish. Extended aging lends a distinctive character, appealing to those who favor depth and a pronounced barrel influence.
Verdict: Casamigos Añejo is for those who appreciate a smoother, less traditional tequila experience, favoring sweetness over complexity. Herradura Añejo, priced more affordably, is ideal for sippers seeking a robust oak and agave flavor, embodying the rich legacy of aged tequila, states agave spirits expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Best Recommended Añejo Tequilas
Casamigos Añejo: A Smooth Sipping Tequila
- Nose: Soft caramel, vanilla
- Palate: Vanilla, leathery sweetness, oak, smoke
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat, rocks
- Similar to: Don Julio Añejo
Sweet Notes, Gentle Feel: Casamigos Añejo opens with a sweet aroma of vanilla and caramel, though these tones are less pronounced on the palate. It offers a smooth and gentle texture, leaving a pleasant warmth.
Butterscotch & Spice: The taste features butterscotch, vanilla, and subtle hints of spice. While not overpowering, the finish brings a touch of peppery heat, a slight bitterness, and a hint of smoke.
Sipping Experience: Although the finish may be slightly short, Casamigos Añejo provides a pleasant overall experience. It’s smooth and easy to drink, lacking the strong burn sometimes associated with tequila.
Añejo Lite: Compared to highly-rated Añejos, this tequila has less complexity and lacks the distinctive agave flavor that defines tequila for many. Its smooth taste might not immediately reveal its tequila origins to those unfamiliar with the spirit.
Casamigos: Aged and Owned: Aged for 14 months in bourbon barrels, Casamigos Añejo is crafted in its own distillery in Jalisco, Mexico. The brand is currently owned by London-based Diageo.
Herradura Añejo: Unveiling the Aged Tequila’s Character
- Nose: Vanilla, oak, caramel, agave
- Palate: Oak, vanilla, agave, oak, fruit, cinnamon
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Herradura Reposado
Aroma and Body: Herradura Añejo greets you with inviting notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel, with a subtle touch of agave. On the palate, it boasts a satisfyingly full-bodied feel.
Flavor Profile: The first sip offers a warming sensation, dominated by oak presence and hints of spice from the barrel aging. As you continue sipping, delightful flavors of vanilla, ripe fruit, and agave emerge.
Finish and Recommendation: The finish is long and warming, lingering with oaky notes. This tequila is an excellent choice for those who enjoy a bold oak character, pleasant warmth, and subtle hints of spice.
Herradura Añejo: Aged to Perfection
This Añejo tequila undergoes an extended 25-month aging process in oak barrels, exceeding the minimum requirement of 12 months. While this extended aging intensifies the oak influence, it may also subdue some of the other flavors for some palates.
Herradura’s Legacy:
Tequila Herradura boasts a rich history, being one of Mexico’s oldest and most distinguished distilleries, established in 1870 and currently owned by Kentucky-based Brown-Forman.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price |
| Casamigos Añejo | $55 |
| Herradura Añejo | $47 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | Casamigos Añejo | Herradura Añejo |
| Type of tequila | Añejo | Añejo |
| Aging length in months | 14 | 25 |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Roller mill | Roller mill |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | No |
| Cooking method | Stone/Brick Ovens | Stone/Brick Ovens |
| Double-distilled | Yes | Yes |
| Additives | Unsure | Unsure |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |