1800 Cristalino Anejo 1.75L

1800 Cristalino Anejo Tequila 1.75L is a charcoal-filtered añejo tequila made from 100% Blue Weber agave, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 1.75L format. Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression stands apart in the cristalino category thanks to a distinctive port wine cask finish that adds layers of dried fruit and dark chocolate to classic añejo character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico  |  Añejo Cristalino  |  Distillery: La Rojeña (NOM 1122)

Production & Heritage

La Rojeña, recognized as the oldest active distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, has been producing tequila at its historic site for generations. For the Cristalino Añejo, hand-selected Blue Weber agave is harvested at peak maturity, then the spirit is aged for 16 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels before undergoing a 6-month finishing period in port wine casks. After this double-barrel maturation, the tequila is meticulously charcoal filtered to strip away color while preserving the complex flavors developed during aging — the hallmark of the cristalino style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and vanilla lead, followed by toasted oak and a subtle touch of warm baking spice. Underneath, the natural sweetness of cooked agave anchors the bouquet with an earthy, herbal quality.

Taste: The entry is smooth and full-bodied, with caramel and vanilla arriving immediately on the palate. At mid-palate, toasted oak and light spice emerge, while the port cask influence introduces notes of dried fruit and dark chocolate. The agave's natural sweetness provides balance throughout, keeping the oak and spice from ever dominating.

Finish: Long and velvety, with vanilla and soft oak lingering alongside gentle agave sweetness. The port wine influence leaves a final whisper of dried fruit that fades gradually.

How to Drink 1800 Cristalino

The port cask complexity and silky texture reward neat sipping at room temperature; a single ice cube can open up additional fruit notes without dulling the oak. For cocktails, the crystal clarity and añejo depth make it remarkably versatile:

• Cristalino Margarita — the dried fruit and caramel notes add richness that a blanco simply cannot, creating a more layered take on the classic.
• Paloma — the port-influenced sweetness pairs naturally with grapefruit soda, balancing tartness with dark fruit undertones.
• Tequila Old Fashioned — vanilla, oak, and baking spice mirror the flavor profile of a traditional bourbon Old Fashioned while introducing agave complexity.

Best For

• Hosting large gatherings where a premium tequila needs to serve a crowd — the 1.75L format handles that
• Converting whiskey drinkers to tequila with its oak-forward, port-finished complexity
• Building a cristalino-focused home bar collection alongside traditional reposado and añejo expressions
• Gifting a tequila enthusiast who already knows standard añejos and wants something more refined

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1800 Cristalino taste like? It delivers a smooth, full-bodied profile dominated by caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak, with port wine cask-derived notes of dried fruit and dark chocolate balanced by natural agave sweetness.

How does 1800 Cristalino compare to Don Julio 70? Both are cristalino añejos made from 100% Blue Weber agave, but 1800 Cristalino undergoes an additional 6-month port wine cask finish that introduces dried fruit and chocolate notes not found in Don Julio 70. Don Julio 70 tends toward a lighter, more citrus-forward profile, while 1800 Cristalino leans into richer, darker flavors from its double-barrel aging.

Is 1800 Cristalino good for sipping neat? Yes — the charcoal filtration produces a velvety texture and the 40% ABV keeps the heat approachable, making it one of the more accessible cristalino añejos to enjoy straight.

Where is 1800 Cristalino made? It is produced at La Rojeña distillery (NOM 1122) in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico — the oldest active distillery in the region.

What foods pair well with 1800 Cristalino? Grilled carne asada benefits from the oak and caramel notes cutting through charred fat. Dark chocolate truffles echo the port cask-derived cocoa flavors. Aged Manchego cheese mirrors the nutty, dried-fruit qualities. Mole negro highlights the warm spice notes. Crème brûlée matches the caramel and vanilla profile almost exactly.

What sizes does 1800 Cristalino come in? The expression is available in 750ml and 1.75L bottles, with this listing representing the larger 1.75L format.

Is 1800 Cristalino worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium cristalino añejo, and the 93-point Wine Enthusiast score and Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition suggest strong value relative to competitors at similar or higher price points — particularly in the 1.75L format, which offers better per-pour economics.

Why 1800 Cristalino?

The defining differentiator here is the 6-month port wine cask finish — a step most cristalino producers skip entirely. That finishing period introduces dried fruit and dark chocolate layers that separate this expression from the vanilla-and-oak simplicity of many charcoal-filtered añejos. The 93-point Wine Enthusiast rating and San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal confirm that the production approach delivers measurable quality, not just marketing novelty. For anyone who finds standard cristalinos too neutral or one-dimensional, the port cask influence gives 1800 Cristalino genuine depth while maintaining the clean, clear presentation the category demands.