Last Updated on: 5th April 2024, 08:23 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 Gran Centenario Reposado vs Gran Centenario 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
Gran Centenario Reposado vs Añejo: Comparison
Gran Centenario Reposado: Offers a balance of charred oak, agave, and caramel, with a warm, spicy palate that includes black pepper and cinnamon. Its slightly thin body is well-suited for cocktails, making it a versatile choice for mixing.
Gran Centenario Añejo: Features a warm, inviting aroma of oak, caramel, and vanilla, with a smooth palate of agave, apple, caramel, and vanilla. Its easy finish and balanced flavor profile make it enjoyable both neat and as a refined cocktail base.
Verdict: Gran Centenario Reposado and Gran Centenario Añejo each present their own merits; the Reposado excels as a dynamic component in cocktails, while the Añejo offers a smooth, nuanced experience for those who prefer to sip their tequila neat or on the rocks, states tequila expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Discover Tres Generaciones’ Top Bottle
Gran Centenario Reposado: A Decent Sipping Tequila, A Great Cocktail Base
- Nose: Oak, agave, caramel
- Palate: Oak, caramel, black pepper, cinnamon
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
- Similar to: 1800 Reposado
Aroma: This reposado offers a pleasant nose with hints of charred oak, balanced by agave and caramel notes.
Taste: The initial taste is a bit warm and spicy, with peppery and cinnamon-like notes. Oak and caramel flavors come through, but the body feels a little thin.
Finish: The finish lingers with a touch of heat and a slightly sweet aftertaste. Adding ice can help smooth out the initial bite.
Great for Mixing: While Gran Centenario Reposado might not be the top shelf sipper, it shines in cocktails. The agave and spice notes make it a good base for a variety of tequila mixed drinks.
Interesting Facts:
- Aged for 6 months in charred French oak barrels, giving it a touch of smokiness.
- Presented in a stylish Art Deco bottle.
- Made by Gran Centenario, one of Mexico’s oldest tequila producers, founded in 1857 (owned by Jose Cuervo).
Gran Centenario Añejo: Smooth Tequila for Sipping or Cocktails
- Nose: Oak, agave, caramel, vanilla
- Palate: Agave, apple, caramel, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat or rocks
- Similar to: Gran Centenario Leyenda
Warm & Inviting Aroma: Gran Centenario Añejo greets you with a rich aroma reminiscent of bourbon, blending oak, caramel, vanilla, and hints of roasted agave.
Balanced Flavors: The first sip offers a smooth taste of blue agave and apple, followed by oak, vanilla, and caramel with a touch of spice.
Easy Finish: The finish lingers pleasantly with a mild warmth and a balanced combination of caramel sweetness and oaky bitterness.
Sipping or Mixing: While Gran Centenario Añejo might not be the most complex añejo, its smoothness makes it enjoyable to sip neat or on the rocks. It’s also an affordable and versatile tequila that works well in cocktails.
Award-Winning & Mexican-Owned: Aged in new French Limousin oak barrels for up to 3 years, this tequila boasts a Double Gold Medal from the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Notably, Gran Centenario remains one of the few Mexican-owned tequila producers in an industry largely acquired by international companies.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price |
| Gran Centenario Reposado | $30 |
| Gran Centenario Añejo | $38 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | Gran Centenario | Gran Centenario |
| Type of tequila | Reposado | Añejo |
| Aging length | 6 months | 36 months |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Roller mill | Roller mill |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Wood tank fermentation | No | No |
| Cooking method | Autoclave | Autoclave |
| Double-distilled | Yes | Yes |
| Triple-distilled | No | No |
| Additives | No | No |
| Certified organic | No | No |
| ABV | 40% | 40% |
| Proof | 80 | 80 |