Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Colleccion 2023 Extra Anejo 100% Agave Tequila (750ml)

One of Mexico's crown jewels.

First released in 1995 to celebrate the company's 200th birthday, José Cuervo Reserva de la Familia pioneered the category of extended age Tequila. Matured for a minimum of two years in a combination of American and French oak barrels, some of the reserve components are up to thirty years old. The tequila itself which has been described as "rich and brandy-like" doesn't change much from year to year. And just as consistency has become its hallmark, so too has been its high praise. What does change annually is the packaging, with a different Mexican artist making each release a collector’s item. 

In 2023 the box has been designed by artists Rolando Flores and Gabriel Cázares of the Mexico-based Tercerunquinto Collective. The custom art titled “Structuring a Landscape”, features a geometric abstraction of the landscape of Jalisco.

[2017 edition tasted from a 20ml sample] Pale copper gold. The bouquet combines blanco-like vibrancy with the kind of depth you'd expect from XO cognac - brine, charred capsicum, smoldering eucalyptus, beeswax, vanilla and menthol... with air contact, it also presents a drier, woody aspect including cigar box, cedar and white pepper. Likewise the silky delivery matches sappy agave and butter menthol lozenge-like flavours against drying astringency. It's delicate and somewhat fleeting through the finish, trailing off with black tea, potpourri, white pepper, hints of grilled pineapple, vanilla and trace beeswax. The overall effect strikes a fine balance between young and old.  40% Alc./Vol.