8 Essential Añejo Tequilas for Every Kind of Whiskey Lover

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Whether you enjoy a spicy rye, smooth bourbon or sumptuously sweet cigar blend, there exists an aged tequila that will perfectly fit your whiskey preferences.

Over the past decade, distillers have gone to great lengths to court the interest of American whiskey lovers, more often than not by maturing their agave spirits in ex-bourbon casks or the occasional Jack Daniel’s barrel. It’s a tried-and-true method of attracting new consumers. And the options have only grown exponentially with time.

Below, we’re taking a look at eight añejo tequilas suited for each kind of whiskey fan, paying close attention to commonalities in flavor and cask finish that are sure to pique the interest of discerning spirits snobs. Per usual for The Daily Pour, all recommendations are additive-free.

For Bourbon Lovers – Wild Common Añejo

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Wild Common is neither the first nor the last tequila brand to age its spirits in ex-bourbon casks. But its recently released Añejo, bottled at a well-above-average proof point of 47% ABV, is among the best to reproduce that iconic charred flavor near and dear to the American whiskey community. Aged for 12 months in white oak, the palate dives headfirst into a medley of everything dark orange and sweet. Expect flashes of Butterfinger candy, pudding, apricots, honey and milk chocolate, followed by copious allspice and brown sugar on the finish. Delicious stuff through and through, and — believe it or not — it just so happens to be the highest-proofed añejo in our catalog. (Aged tequila has yet to catch the hazmat bug, let alone anything close.) Wild Common Añejo can be purchased at most retailers at a suggested price of $85.

For Rye Lovers – Tres Generaciones 50th Anniversary Añejo

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Although there exist rye whiskeys aged in añejo casks, rarely does the liquor flow in the opposite direction. So… we had to get creative with this one. Unveiled in honor of Tres Generaciones’ 50th anniversary, this limited-edition añejo recruited help from the beloved Cascahuin distillery, one of the most famous names in additive-free tequila. What we love about this 14-month age statement is that it manages to balance recognizable hints of oak, namely maple, cedar and nutmeg, with a healthy dose of spice contributed from its lowland agaves. Tropical fruit, ginger, minerality and a wallop of black pepper are the stars of the show, combining for a bruiser of an añejo that’s still remarkably light on its feet. If you’re interested in picking this one up, we’d recommend doing some digging. Online retailers are hawking the añejo everywhere from $70 to $400, and there’s no sense in paying more than necessary.

For Tennessee Whiskey Lovers – Suerte Añejo

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For tasty, reliable and remarkably cheap tequila, look no further than Suerte. The dedicated distillery in San Francisco de Asis, Jalisco, is best known for a handful of signature touches, chief among them its prolonged, nearly 17-hour tahona process and the use of ex-Jack Daniel’s barrels for its flagship aged expressions. It should come as no surprise, then, that the brand’s Añejo is a treat to behold. Aged for 24 months, the expression pops out of the bottle with glassy aromas of crème brûlée and candied orange peel, giving way to flavors of butterscotch, baking spice and cinnamon on the palate. Best of all? It only costs $50. We’ve always said that Suerte provides unrivaled bang for its buck, and nowhere is that more apparent than in its all-star Añejo.

For Unpeated Scotch Lovers – Partida Tequila Roble Fino Añejo

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Tequila Partida has hit the ground running with some exceptional single-barrel releases over the past few months. For our money, though, the brand’s Roble Fino Añejo remains the reigning champ. The expression begins with a tequila aged 18 months in American oak casks that previously held Jack Daniels, before resting an additional five months in ex-single malt, sherry-seasoned casks widely rumored to have been sourced from Macallan. What results is a potent, almost overwhelmingly sherry-forward spirit. Gobs of dried fruit, sour cherries and cream soda cloud the nose, luring you in for a sip that leans surprisingly close to cognac territory. Expect flavors of grape, peach rings, apple cider, cocoa nibs and brown butter, followed by a smack of cloves and vanilla that crescendos on the finish. This showstopper of an añejo more than justifies its $150 price tag.

For Japanese Whisky Lovers – El Tesoro Mundial Collection: Yamazaki Cask

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One of the finest releases of the year was born from a collaboration between El Tesoro and Yamazaki, two titans of the industry located on opposite ends of the Pacific. Aged for 12 months in 12-year-old Yamazaki sherry and wine casks, this añejo is a bona fide showstopper stuffed to the brim with flavors wholly unheard of in the tequila world. Buttery aromas of baked plum, pecan and cloves call to mind all the classic Japanese whisky influences. On the palate, an autumnal mix of fresh ginger, sweet marzipan and dried apricot that feels decidedly un-agave in the best way possible, leaning hard into the single malt vibes without overwhelming subtler hints of Jalisco. El Tesoro Mundial Collection: Yamazaki Cask debuted in October at a suggested retail price of $199, and, despite the best efforts of collectors, is still widely available within its original price range.

For Cigar Blend Lovers – Mijenta Reserva Añejo

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The definition of a cigar blend whiskey is nebulous, at best, though it most commonly revolves around a blend of sticky-sweet cask finishes recruited from the likes of Cognac and Armagnac. Mijenta Gran Reserva Añejo — aged 18 months in a combination of American white oak, French oak, French acacia and cherry wood — feels like as good a fit for the concept as any. This tequila balances a distinct cherry note (no surprises there) with a peppery mouthfeel and loads of chocolate pastry flavor. Elsewhere in the blend, you can taste flecks of vanilla, toffee and root beer, a surprisingly nostalgic vibe for an añejo delivered in an oh-so serious all-black bottle. Whether or not you enjoy Gran Reserva with a billowing cigar, it’ll cost around $170.

For Wheat Whiskey Lovers – Alma del Jaguar Añejo

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At the tail end of 2024, Alma Del Jaguar unveiled an añejo that drew inspiration from the Scotch whisky world, featuring a blend of three batches aged in varying combinations of American and French oak. The experiment paid off big time. Aromas of custard, maple, molasses, hazelnut and banana immediately call to mind a wheated bourbon. The soft and sweet influences carry through in droves on the palate, which makes way for flashes of fig, churned butter, caramel and a recognizable kick of roasted agave. This is our go-to recommendation for tequila and whiskey fans with a sweet tooth, and it’s none too expensive either, boasting a suggested retail price of $70. (An added bonus: A portion of the brand’s proceeds is donated to the Northern Jaguar Project in Sonora, Mexico.)

For Wine-Finish Lovers – Codigo 1530 George Strait “Cowboys & Dreamers” Edition

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Wine cask finishes are notoriously difficult to pull off in the world of whiskey. Equally so for tequila. So consider our surprise when Codigo 1530s “Cowboys & Dreamers” Añejo, aged two years in charred, ex-Napa Valley cabernet wine barrels, instantly became one of our favorites of the year. Though it’s a smidge underproofed at 40% ABV, that doesn’t stop the tequila from delivering intoxicating flavors of cherry, rose petals, vanilla and raspberry. Hints of dark chocolate, cloves and macadamia nuts dial up the characteristic oak flavor, which persists into the finish alongside a ton of raisin sweetness. The limited-edition añejo is our vote for most underrated tequila of the year, and it’s still available for purchase online in the ballpark of $120.