10 Must-Try Anejo Tequila Brands

Fortaleza Anejo is a rich and complex tequila, fermented in open-air wood tanks and aged for 18 months in American Oak barrels. Fortaleza honors historic distillation and bottling traditions, serving this delicious Anejo in hand-blown bottles. It’s wonderful for sipping, delivering notes of caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch, and a thick texture.

Winner of the 2021 Agave Producer of the Year award, El Tesoro describes its artisanal tequila as a work of art. Founder and master distiller Carlos Camarena uses a special kind of blue agave, harvested by hand, to elaborate this double gold medaled Anejo. His goal is to create an agave-forward tequila. The Anejo is aged for up to 3 years, almost gaining Extra Anejo status. You can taste the sweet agave right away, along with a strong earthy oak imparted from the bourbon barrels in which it aged.

Patron is one of the most well-known tequila producers in the world. Their Anejo tequila is aged for the minimum period allowed for Anejo status, making it a more versatile Anejo that tastes great for sipping but is strong enough to mix in a cocktail. It gets aged in oak barrels from France and Hungary, delivering honey, raisin, and vanilla flavors with a distinct smokey finish.

Don Julio 1942 isn’t just the name of an Anejo tequila, but the name of the company’s founder, Don Julio Gonzales, and founding year. This variety is thus an homage to the revolutionary traditions. First released in 2002, this is a small-batch Anejo that ages for at least 2.5 years, delivering a super smooth sipping tequila with notes of agave, oak, and vanilla.

1800 Tequila is one of the oldest tequila producers, with over two centuries of tequila distilling. Their Anejo is a testament to their longstanding mastery of tequila making. It stands out in every way, from the dark amber color to the spicy finish and bold flavors. They market the 1800 Anejo to whiskey lovers.

A fairly new brand, Espolon Tequila originated in 1996 in the highlands of Los Altos, Jalisco, when late founder and master distiller Cirilio. Espolon Anejo is an elegant and smooth-aged tequila. The hip label, replete with sketches of dancing Mexican Catrinas, sets it apart before even tasting it. The taste does not disappoint, with a silky mouthfeel delivering notes of dried fruit, chocolate, and caramel.

Owned and founded by famed actor George Clooney and partners Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman, Casamigos is an award-winning tequila distillery dedicated to creating a product that you can sip without having to use a lime chaser. It spends 14 months aging in American white oak barrels, delivering a deep amber color and balanced spicy and sweet taste.

Olmeca Altos is a tequila company founded by two award-winning bartenders who partnered with a master tequila distiller to create tequilas perfect for margaritas. Thus, this tequila already stands out as being made for cocktails.

Herradura Tequila prides itself on its sustainable practices and award-winning tequilas. Their Anejo has won over 50 awards since its debut in the 1960s. Aged for 25 months, it’s one of the smoothest tequilas out there, with luscious notes of dried fruit and toasted oak.

Milagro tequila is a unique distillery founded by two college students whose trip to Mexico City inspired their dreams of creating a modern tequila brand. Their Anejo is a 12-14 month-aged tequila with a unique aroma of coconuts and orange. The taste delivers sweet agave and butterscotch flavors.