Last Updated on: 16th May 2024, 12:46 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 everything about Patron Extra Añejo Lalique Limited Edition Serie II in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
Reviewed by: J Highland
Patron Lalique Tequila: Exquisite But Expensive (Complex, Smooth, Not for Cocktails)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tequila expert Neil Coleman is impressed by the taste of Patron Lalique Tequila but strongly questions its value due to its high price. Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:
Strengths:
- Exceptional Taste: This tequila is described as complex, layered, perfectly balanced, and smooth, offering a delightful sipping experience.
- Sweetness and Baking Spices: The flavor profile is sweet but not overpowering, with notes of baking spices and a restrained oak presence from the aging process.
- No Additives: The tequila is described as free of additives, providing a genuine and authentic taste.
- Beautiful Decanter: The Patron Lalique comes in a beautiful decanter, potentially appealing to collectors.
Drawbacks:
- Extremely Expensive: The price point is around $7,000 USD, making it a very costly option.
- Poor Value Compared to Others: At this price point, other exceptional tequilas and bourbons offer arguably better value.
- Bourbon-like Taste: The flavor profile leans more towards bourbon due to the lack of a strong agave presence and a 40% ABV.
Overall, Patron Lalique Tequila is an exquisite tequila with a complex and smooth taste. However, the extremely high price tag makes it a questionable purchase. For the same investment, there are other exceptional tequilas and bourbons available that might offer a superior value proposition.
What's special about it?
Patron Lalique is an Extra Añejo Tequila that undergoes an eight-year aging process in American oak, French oak, and Spanish sherry oak barrels.
One notable feature is that it is bottled using Lalique glassware.
Lalique is renowned for its exquisite glass art, such as perfume bottles, vases, and hood ornaments, crafted during the early twentieth century.
The bottle of Patron Lalique features a gold enamel depiction of the iconic bee emblem and is adorned with an amber-rounded crystal stopper.
This limited edition release consists of only 299 bottles.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Dried fruit, butter, baking spice, almond
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, caramel, almond, dried fruit
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
- Similar to: Patron Extra Añejo 10 Años
The nose of Patron Lalique presents a blend of dried fruit, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and roasted almond aromas.
On the palate, the Tequila offers a viscous and satisfying mouthfeel.
The flavor profile unfolds smoothly, with initial notes of vanilla and caramel, followed by oak, almond, baking spice, and dried fruit. While the presence of agave flavor is minimal.
The finish is long-lasting, with subtle warmth, gentle oak notes, and lingering baking spice.
How did I review Patron Lalique?
I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller.
My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and Tequila expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.
I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.
Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.
⭐ - Poor, ⭐⭐ - Average, ⭐⭐⭐ - Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Excellent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alternatives
- While Patron Extra Añejo 10 Años is a premium choice, there are exceptional alternatives for Extra Añejo Tequilas offering unparalleled quality. Fuenteseca Reserva, Arette Gran Clase, and Tears of Llorona are recommended for their exceptional flavor profiles and craftsmanship, providing a diverse range of options for aficionados seeking top-tier Tequilas.
How to Drink
- Patron Lalique is best enjoyed neat to appreciate its complexity and depth fully. A Glencairn glass or a tumbler can enhance this experience, with the option to chill the glass for a slightly cooled sipping experience without diluting the Tequila's rich flavors.
Price
- The Patron Extra Añejo Lalique Edition is a luxury purchase, with prices ranging significantly depending on the retailer. It's listed at approximately $7,100 at Total Wine and $8,500 on Drizly, reflecting its status as a collector's item and a high-end spirit.
Alcohol Content
- This Tequila maintains the standard 80 proof (40% ABV), typical for premium spirits, ensuring a balance of potency and smoothness.
Age
- Aged for 8 years in a unique combination of American oak, French oak, and sherry casks, this aging process imparts a distinctive profile, making it a unique offering in the Tequila market, reminiscent of techniques more commonly associated with Scotch whisky.
Does It Expire?
- Tequila has an indefinite shelf life when stored correctly, although its quality is best preserved by consuming it within a few months to a year after opening to avoid oxidation and flavor changes.
How to Store It
- For optimal preservation, store the bottle in a cool, dark place away from sunlight, keeping it upright to avoid contact with the stopper, ensuring its longevity.
Patron Extra Añejo Lalique Limited Edition Serie II: Specs
- Type: Extra Añejo
- Proof: 80
- 100% Agave: Yes
- ABV: 40%
- Double-distilled: Yes
- Aging: 96 months