818 Anejo Tequila 750ML

818 Anejo Tequila 750ML is a 100% blue Weber agave añejo tequila bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and aged over one year in French and American oak barrels. It earned a 96-point score and Chairman's Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, where judges recognized it as a best-in-class expression.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Jalisco, Mexico (Amatitán)  |  Aged 1+ Year in French & American Oak  |  Distillery: La Cofradía

Production & Heritage

818 Añejo is produced at the La Cofradía distillery in the town of Amatitán, located in the Tequila Valley of Jalisco, Mexico. The production begins with blue Weber agave sourced from both the highland and lowland growing regions of Jalisco, which is then slow-cooked and crushed using traditional tahona stone extraction before undergoing double distillation in copper pot stills. What distinguishes this añejo from many competitors is its dual-oak aging regimen—spirit rests for over twelve months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, layering the vanilla sweetness typical of American oak with the tannic structure and spice complexity contributed by French oak.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich caramel and cooked agave, then unfolds into vanilla, dried fruit, and gentle baking spice. A subtle almond note lingers underneath, giving the aroma a layered, dessert-like quality.

Taste: The entry is smooth and silky, immediately delivering toffee and roasted agave across the front palate. At mid-palate, orange zest and toasted oak emerge alongside dark chocolate and warm spice. The texture remains velvety throughout, with the dual-oak influence providing structural depth without overwhelming the agave core.

Finish: The finish is long and gentle, trailing off with vanilla bean, cinnamon, and sweet wood. It maintains a pleasant warmth without bitterness, leaving a clean, lingering impression of caramelized agave.

How to Drink 818 Añejo

The dual-oak complexity and layered toffee-vanilla profile reward slow sipping neat in a snifter or Glencairn glass at room temperature. A single large ice cube opens up the citrus and spice notes without diluting the body excessively.

Old Fashioned: The toffee and dark chocolate notes anchor this cocktail beautifully, replacing bourbon's grain sweetness with agave richness. Tequila Manhattan: The French oak tannin structure and vanilla character stand up to sweet vermouth the way a well-aged whiskey would. Oaxaca Old Fashioned (variation): Pair 818 Añejo with a small float of mezcal to bridge smoky and caramel flavors in a modern classic framework.

Best For

• Sipping neat after dinner as a dessert-course spirit
• Gifting a tequila enthusiast who appreciates oak-forward, aged expressions
• Introducing whiskey drinkers to premium aged tequila
• Mixing elevated, spirit-forward agave cocktails at home

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 818 Añejo taste like? 818 Añejo delivers a smooth, dessert-driven profile led by toffee, caramel, and roasted agave, with supporting notes of orange zest, dark chocolate, and warm cinnamon from its dual-oak aging. The finish is long and vanilla-rich with a clean, sweet wood fade.

How does 818 Añejo compare to Don Julio Añejo? Don Julio Añejo tends toward a lighter, more floral and citrus-driven profile with butterscotch undertones, while 818 Añejo leans darker and richer due to its combination of French and American oak barrels. Both are 100% agave añejos from Jalisco, but the dual-oak approach gives 818 a noticeably more tannic, structured character.

Is 818 Añejo good for sipping neat? Yes—its 40% ABV, silky texture, and layered vanilla-toffee-spice profile make it very approachable as a neat pour. The dual-oak aging adds enough structure and complexity to keep it engaging on its own without any mixer or dilution.

Where is 818 Añejo made? 818 Añejo is produced at the La Cofradía distillery in Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico, situated in the historic Tequila Valley. The agave itself is sourced from both the highland and lowland growing regions of Jalisco to achieve a balanced flavor profile.

What foods pair well with 818 Añejo? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and cocoa notes directly. Grilled stone fruit like peaches or nectarines echoes the dried fruit and caramel character. Cajeta flan or crème brûlée mirrors the vanilla-custard sweetness. Aged Manchego cheese provides a nutty, savory counterpoint to the oak spice. Mole negro, with its complex blend of chiles and chocolate, creates an exceptional regional pairing.

What sizes does 818 Añejo come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format. A 375ml half-bottle option has also been available in select markets.

Is 818 Añejo worth the price? 818 Añejo positions in the premium añejo tier, competing with established names like Don Julio and Clase Azul. Its 96-point score at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and 43 cumulative blind tasting awards across 13 international competitions suggest it delivers meaningful quality at its price point, particularly given the dual-oak aging process.

Why 818 Añejo?

The dual-barrel aging in both French and American oak is the defining production choice here—most añejos at this tier rely on a single barrel type, typically ex-bourbon American oak. That French oak component adds a layer of tannic complexity and spice depth that separates 818 from more straightforward vanilla-caramel expressions in the category. A 96-point Chairman's Trophy from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, along with a Platinum Award from the SIP Awards and Triple Gold at the MicroLiquor Spirit Awards, confirms this is a critically validated expression rather than a celebrity-brand novelty. For drinkers who want an añejo that straddles the line between agave authenticity and oak-driven richness, 818 Añejo makes a compelling case.