Last Updated on: 24th January 2024, 12:42 am
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.
With the assistance of Tequila expert Neil Coleman and customer feedback, I have assembled a list of great Tequilas aged in bourbon barrels worth exploring.
Written by: J Highland
Quick Look at Tequilas Aged in Bourbon Barrels
| Tequila |
| Ocho Reposado Widow Jane |
| Volans Single Barrel |
| Suerte Reposado |
| Tesoro Reposado |
| Fortaleza Añejo |
| Dulce Vida Añejo Lone Star Edition |
| Siete Leguas Añejo |
Ocho Reposado Widow Jane
Ocho Tequila aged in Widow Jane Bourbon barrels has a distinct profile. Unlike bourbon’s Dr. Pepper-like taste, Ocho Tequila is different.
It boasts a rich agave nose with hints of cinnamon and mint. On the palate, it offers a chewy and smooth mouthfeel, delivering flavors of agave, pecans, cinnamon, and mint, with a late earthy note. The finish is long, warm, and accompanied by baking spice.
Priced just under $100, it’s on the higher side for a Reposado Tequila but worth trying, especially for bourbon enthusiasts seeking unique agave spirits.
Volans Single Barrel
While most Tequilas are typically a blend of barrels, Volans is distinct as it is drawn solely from a Single Barrel.
This approach can often result in a better-tasting spirit, as distillers can carefully select the best barrels for this release.
Volans has a light nose with agave, vanilla, ripe fruit, wet soil, and a hint of oak.
It feels creamy and has a strong agave flavor with roasted pineapple, caramel, and wet soil notes.
The finish is warm with a hint of dried fruit.
“This is an exceptional Tequila with a distinct and delightful taste of cooked agave and subtle barrel notes. The finish is outstanding, making it one of the top Reposados.”, states Tequila expert Neil Coleman.
Suerte Reposado
Suerte Reposado is aged for seven months in Jack Daniel’s barrels.
A genuine additive-free Reposado that offers excellent value for the price.
It is an outstanding sipper and competes with premium bottles, making it the best Reposado under $50.
The nose has an agave aroma, followed by a soft, earthy note of vanilla, light oak, and caramel.
The palate has a thick body, providing a pleasant mouthfeel with rich agave flavor, caramel, cinnamon notes, and a touch of black pepper.
The finish has a good length and a rich baking spice flavor with little warmth.
Tesoro Reposado
This Tequila offers a substantial body that feels creamy and provides a great mouthfeel; as it’s aged for 11 months, it has a rich oak flavor that does not overshadow agave notes.
The nose initially brings out the agave scent, followed by notes of cinnamon, a hint of lime, and a subtle chocolate note.
On the palate, Tesoro Reposado delivers a rich agave flavor, accompanied by hints of vanilla, oak, mint, lime, and a subtle but delightful touch of smoke.
The finish lingers and leaves a sweet note with a touch of oak spice.
Tesoro, which means treasure, has all the elements you’d expect from a good Reposado, such as rich agave flavor, light oak notes, and minimal heat.
Fortaleza Añejo
Fortaleza Añejo offers a whiskey-like nose with caramel, vanilla, oak, and roasted agave notes.
On the palate, it’s smooth, coating with a buttery texture. The flavor is rich agave with vanilla, butterscotch, and oak spice.
The finish is warm, with hints of blue agave, pineapple, caramel, and oak. It’s one of the top Añejo Tequilas, perfect for bourbon enthusiasts seeking rich flavors reminiscent of bourbon and blue agave’s sweetness.
Dulce Vida Añejo Lone Star Edition
Dulce Vida Añejo Lone Star stands out with two unique features:
It’s aged in oak barrels previously used for Garrison Brothers Texas Straight Bourbon.
Bottled at 100 proof, unlike most Tequilas at 80 proof.
The nose initially has a strong alcohol scent, evolving into ripe fruit, oak, agave, and caramel aromas.
On the palate, it offers a velvety texture with a slight pepper flavor, followed by vanilla, caramel, mint, and subtle oak undertones.
The finish is dry with mild warmth, featuring spice and caramel flavors.
Ideal for bourbon enthusiasts, Lone Star resembles whiskey with its smoothness, higher proof, and sweet caramel and vanilla notes.
Siete Leguas Añejo
Its nose features butterscotch, vanilla, and subtle roasted agave scents.
The palate is buttery and smooth with pronounced blue agave, vanilla, caramel, baking spice, and wood notes.
The long finish is sweet and warmly pleasant, with hints of oak spice, vanilla, and butterscotch.
Siete Leguas Añejo offers complexity, resembling bourbon with oak, caramel, and vanilla flavors.
It’s a full-bodied añejo, agave-forward, and perfect for bourbon enthusiasts exploring agave spirits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Aging Affect Tequila Categories?
- Reposado: Aged 2 months to 1 year.
- Añejo: Aged 1 to 3 years.
- Extra Añejo: Aged 3 or more years.
- The Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) requires oak barrel aging but doesn’t specify new or used barrels.
Why Age Tequila in Whiskey Barrels?
- Aging Tequila in bourbon barrels imparts bourbon’s sweet and rich characteristics, like vanilla, oak, and caramel, to the Tequila.
- This process creates a unique blend of agave and bourbon flavors, offering a novel tasting experience.