El Bandido Yankee Anejo 750ML

El Bandido Yankee Anejo 750ML is a 100% Blue Weber agave tequila aged 12 months in bourbon barrels, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). It earned the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards Best in Show designation and scored 93 points from Tastings.com, placing it among the most critically recognized additive-free añejos on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico  |  Aged 12 Months  |  Distillery: El Viejito (NOM 1107)

Production & Heritage

El Viejito Distillery (NOM 1107) operates in Los Altos de Jalisco under the direction of third-generation distillers Juan Eduardo Nuñez and Karina Rojo. The añejo is made from 100% Blue Weber agave, twice distilled, and fully oxygenated before resting for 12 months in stripped and re-charred American oak bourbon barrels—a process that exposes fresh wood to the spirit, intensifying caramel and spice extraction. Production is entirely additive-free, with no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, allowing the highland agave character and barrel influence to come through unmasked.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich caramel and butterscotch lead, followed by vanilla cream, oak spice, and subtle leather. Deeper breathing reveals crystallized pine sap and a delicate citronella undertone.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied with cooked agave and toffee. The mid-palate deepens into dark cocoa and baking spices, while a butter-poached green apple note adds unexpected brightness. Black pepper builds steadily toward the peak.

Finish: Long and velvety, with lingering oak, black pepper, and chai tea spice. A butterscotch sweetness persists through the fade, keeping the finish warm and composed.

How to Drink El Bandido Yankee Anejo

The natural complexity here rewards neat sipping at room temperature, though a single ice cube can open up the vanilla and cocoa notes further. In a Tequila Old Fashioned, the butterscotch and oak spice step in where bourbon typically sits, creating a seamless transition for whiskey drinkers. A Tequila Manhattan plays to the dark cocoa and baking spice, which complement sweet vermouth without being overwhelmed. An Añejo Highball with ginger beer and lime lifts the agave sweetness and pepper into a refreshing long drink.

Best For

• Introducing a whiskey drinker to premium aged tequila
• Gifting a spirits enthusiast exploring additive-free tequilas
• After-dinner sipping alongside chocolate-forward desserts
• Building a curated añejo tequila collection with award-winning bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does El Bandido Yankee Anejo taste like? It delivers a full-bodied profile of cooked agave, butterscotch, and dark cocoa, layered with baking spices and oak from 12 months in re-charred bourbon barrels. The finish is long and velvety with lingering black pepper, chai tea spice, and vanilla.

How does El Bandido Yankee Anejo compare to Casamigos Añejo? Both target drinkers who appreciate smooth, approachable aged tequila, but El Bandido Yankee is certified additive-free and uses stripped and re-charred bourbon barrels rather than standard used barrels, yielding a more pronounced oak and spice character. It also carries the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards Best in Show title and a 93-point Tastings.com score, giving it strong critical backing in its category.

Is El Bandido Yankee Anejo good for sipping neat? Yes—its 40% ABV and velvety mouthfeel make it well-suited to neat sipping, and the complex interplay of butterscotch, cocoa, and baking spices rewards slow, undiluted tasting.

Where is El Bandido Yankee Anejo made? It is produced at El Viejito Distillery (NOM 1107) in Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, a highland region known for yielding sweeter, fruitier agave due to its red clay soils and higher elevation.

What foods pair well with El Bandido Yankee Anejo? Dark chocolate and mole dishes complement the cocoa and baking spice notes. Grilled red meats match the oak and leather undertones. Crème brûlée echoes the butterscotch and vanilla character. Aged cheeses like Manchego contrast the toffee sweetness, while pecan pie amplifies the caramel and warm spice.

What sizes does El Bandido Yankee Anejo come in? El Bandido Yankee Anejo is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is El Bandido Yankee Anejo worth the price? It positions as a premium añejo tequila, and its additive-free production, 12-month bourbon barrel aging, 93-point Tastings.com score, and 2024 TAG Best in Show award place it competitively against well-known brands at similar or higher price points.

Why El Bandido Yankee Anejo?

The 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards Best in Show designation and 93-point Tastings.com score put this añejo in elite company among additive-free tequilas. The decision to strip and re-char American oak bourbon barrels rather than use them as-is imparts a distinctive butterscotch-and-cocoa character that separates it from añejos aged in standard used cooperage. Third-generation distillers Juan Eduardo Nuñez and Karina Rojo bring deep family expertise to a production process that prioritizes natural agave expression over artificial enhancement. For drinkers seeking a tequila that earns its complexity through process rather than additives, this añejo makes a strong case at its price tier.