Tears Of Llorona No.3 Extra Anejo 1L

Tears Of Llorona No.3 Extra Anejo 1L is a 100% blue Weber agave extra añejo tequila bottled at 43% ABV in a 1-liter format. Rated 95 points by Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression stands among the most acclaimed tequilas ever produced — aged nearly five years across three distinct cask types in a process that has no real parallel in the category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43% (86 proof)  |  Origin: Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico  |  Extra Añejo (~5 Years)  |  Distillery: La Tequileña (NOM 1146)

Production & Heritage

Tears of Llorona No.3 is produced at La Tequileña (NOM 1146), a respected distillery in the town of Tequila, Jalisco. Highland-grown blue Weber agave is traditionally roasted, fermented with a proprietary yeast strain, and double-distilled through copper pot stills. What truly separates this expression is its aging regimen: the tequila matures for nearly five years in a combination of half ex-Scotch whisky barrels, one-quarter Sherry casks, and one-quarter French Limousin barrels previously used for Cognac — a triple-cask strategy rarely attempted in tequila and more commonly associated with luxury single malt whisky. Production is limited to approximately 9,000 bottles per batch, with each batch reflecting slight natural variation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep, layered aromas of dark chocolate and dried fruit emerge first, followed by vanilla, toasted oak, and black cherry. Underneath, subtler notes of honeysuckle, black tea, and roasted agave reveal themselves with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is silky and immediately rich, with caramel flan, cocoa, and toffee coating the palate. At mid-palate, spiced nuts, leather, and a faint smokiness from the Scotch barrels weave through, while the Sherry influence adds raisin-like sweetness. Despite the extended wood aging, the agave character remains unmistakably present — this is still tequila at its core.

Finish: Long, spicy, and elegant, with cinnamon and clove lingering alongside crème brûlée and caramel. Oak tannins provide gentle structure without bitterness, tapering into a warm, satisfying close.

How to Drink Tears of Llorona

Neat in a tulip-shaped glass at room temperature is the definitive way to experience this tequila; a few drops of water can help open the deeper chocolate and dried fruit aromatics. For those inclined to mix with an ultra-premium spirit, three cocktails showcase its complexity well: an Old Fashioned, where the dark chocolate and caramel notes replace bourbon's vanilla beautifully; a Vieux Carré, where the Cognac-barrel influence plays naturally alongside sweet vermouth and Bénédictine; and a Tequila Manhattan, where the extended oak aging provides the tannic backbone typically supplied by rye whiskey.

Best For

• Gifting a serious spirits collector who already owns the usual single malts and bourbons
• After-dinner sipping in place of Cognac or aged rum
• Celebrating a milestone event with something genuinely rare and limited
• Converting whisky drinkers who have never explored ultra-aged tequila

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tears of Llorona taste like? Tears of Llorona delivers a rich, layered profile dominated by dark chocolate, caramel, dried fruit, and baking spice, with a persistent agave backbone that grounds the experience. The finish is long and warm, marked by cinnamon, clove, and crème brûlée.

How does Tears of Llorona compare to Pappy Van Winkle? Tears of Llorona is frequently called "the Pappy Van Winkle of tequilas" due to its scarcity, cult following, and extended aging, though the flavor profiles are entirely different — Pappy leans on corn-driven caramel and wheat softness, while Tears of Llorona foregrounds agave, dark chocolate, and Sherry-influenced dried fruit. Both share a reputation for limited availability and demand that far exceeds supply.

Is Tears of Llorona good for sipping neat? This is one of the finest sipping tequilas available, specifically designed for undiluted enjoyment. The nearly five years of triple-cask aging produce a complexity and smoothness that reward slow, contemplative drinking.

Where is Tears of Llorona made? Tears of Llorona No.3 is produced at the La Tequileña distillery (NOM 1146) in the town of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, using 100% blue Weber agave sourced from the volcanic highlands of Jalisco.

What foods pair well with Tears of Llorona? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried fruit notes naturally. Aged manchego or Gruyère cheese mirrors the nutty, caramel undertones. Mole negro echoes the baking spice and chocolate complexity. Flan or crème brûlée reinforces the dessert-like sweetness of the finish. Charcuterie with fig jam bridges the dried fruit and leather nuances.

What sizes does Tears of Llorona come in? This expression is available in a 1-liter bottle, which is the standard format for Tears of Llorona No.3 Extra Añejo.

Is Tears of Llorona worth the price? Tears of Llorona positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of tequila, and its price reflects the nearly five-year aging process, triple-cask maturation, and limited production of roughly 9,000 bottles per batch. For collectors and enthusiasts who value complexity, rarity, and a 95-point Wine Enthusiast rating, it represents a strong value proposition within the luxury spirits landscape.

Why Tears of Llorona?

No other widely available tequila undergoes a five-year maturation across three distinct barrel types sourced from the Scotch, Sherry, and Cognac traditions. That aging program — half ex-Scotch, a quarter Sherry, a quarter French Limousin — produces a depth and layering effect that blurs the line between aged tequila and fine European spirits, yet the agave character remains intact and central. The 95-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm what the liquid suggests: this is an extra añejo that competes not just within tequila but across all aged spirit categories. Limited to approximately 9,000 bottles per batch, each release carries inherent scarcity that has earned Tears of Llorona a devoted following among collectors worldwide.