Avion Reserva Cristalino 750ML

Avion Reserva Cristalino 750ML is a crystal-clear blend of añejo and extra añejo tequila bottled at 40% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Scoring 94 points from Tastings.com in April 2024, this expression demonstrates how careful filtration can preserve the depth of barrel-aged tequila while stripping away its color — resulting in a spirit that drinks far richer than its appearance suggests.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof)  |  Origin: Los Altos (Highlands), Jalisco, Mexico  |  Añejo/Extra Añejo Blend, Aged 12–17 Months  |  Distillery: Productos Finos de Agave (NOM 1416)

Production & Heritage

Avion produces its tequila at Productos Finos de Agave, situated in Jesús María in the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco at an elevation of 6,954 feet above sea level. The high altitude contributes to slower-maturing agave plants with higher sugar concentrations, which translates directly into the spirit's flavor density. For Reserva Cristalino, the distillery blends its finest añejo tequila — aged 12 to 17 months — with a measure of extra añejo, then subjects the blend to a meticulous double-charcoal filtration process that removes barrel-derived color while preserving and even enhancing the fruity and floral characteristics developed during maturation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with cooked agave and marzipan before moving into salted caramel, vanilla bean, and oats. Beneath those sweeter notes sit charred oak and gentle baking spices that ground the bouquet.

Taste: Entry is agave-forward and silky, quickly expanding into baked apple, honey, and buttercream at mid-palate. As it develops, candied citrus, chocolate, herbal undertones, and a distinct minerality emerge, giving the liquid unexpected complexity for a spirit this approachable.

Finish: The finish is dry and crisp, pulling back from the palate's sweetness with a clean oak-and-herb close. It's moderate in length, leaving a trace of vanilla and mineral on the tongue.

How to Drink Reserva Cristalino

Neat or over a single large ice cube is the most revealing way to experience this tequila; a touch of dilution coaxes out the citrus and chocolate notes hiding beneath the caramel. Its crystal-clear appearance and smooth profile also make it an exceptional cocktail base. In a Cristalino Martini, it stands in for vodka while contributing far more flavor. A Paloma benefits from the baked apple sweetness playing against grapefruit soda's tartness. And in a Tequila Old Fashioned, the existing oak and vanilla from barrel aging give the drink structure without needing heavy syrup.

Best For

• Introducing aged-tequila complexity to friends who prefer clear spirits
• Anchoring a tequila tasting flight alongside a reposado and an añejo
• Gifting a cocktail enthusiast looking for a versatile, premium-tier bottle
• Pairing at a dinner party where visual presentation and sipping quality both matter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Reserva Cristalino taste like? It leads with cooked agave, salted caramel, and vanilla before unfolding into baked apple, honey, chocolate, and herbal minerality. The finish is notably dry and crisp, balancing the richer mid-palate flavors.

How does Reserva Cristalino compare to Don Julio 70? Don Julio 70 is widely credited as the first cristalino añejo and tends to lean lighter and more floral, while Avion's version incorporates extra añejo in its blend, giving it a slightly richer, more dessert-driven character. Both are filtered for clarity, but Avion's double-charcoal process and high-altitude agave sourcing produce a noticeably more mineral-forward profile.

Is Reserva Cristalino good for sipping neat? Yes — its 40% ABV and smooth, layered palate make it one of the more approachable cristalinos for neat sipping. The dry finish keeps it from feeling heavy, even after extended sessions.

Where is Reserva Cristalino made? It is produced at Productos Finos de Agave (NOM 1416) in Jesús María, located in the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, at an elevation of 6,954 feet above sea level.

What foods pair well with Reserva Cristalino? Grilled shrimp tacos complement its citrus and mineral notes. Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa thread in the mid-palate. Aged manchego cheese mirrors its caramel sweetness. Roasted pork with a honey glaze works alongside the baked apple and vanilla flavors. Ceviche with mango salsa contrasts the dry finish with bright acidity.

What sizes does Reserva Cristalino come in? The standard size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Reserva Cristalino worth the price? It positions as a premium cristalino tequila, competing directly with Don Julio 70 and other aged-then-filtered expressions. The inclusion of extra añejo in the blend and a 94-point Tastings.com score suggest strong value within its price tier for drinkers seeking complexity in a clear tequila.

Why Reserva Cristalino?

What separates this bottle from a crowded cristalino field is the blend itself — most competitors filter a straight añejo, while Avion incorporates extra añejo into the mix, adding depth that survives the double-charcoal filtration. The agave sourced at nearly 7,000 feet elevation brings a mineral backbone that many cristalinos lack, preventing the spirit from reading as one-dimensional vanilla-caramel sweetness. A 94-point score from Tastings.com and consecutive Silver medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and 2023 confirm the consistency of the production. For anyone who wants barrel-aged tequila character without the visual weight of amber spirit, this is one of the more substantive options in the category.