El Tesoro Extra Anejo 85th Anniversary 750ML

El Tesoro Extra Anejo 85th Anniversary 750ML is a limited-edition 100% blue Weber agave tequila bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Aged for over three years in Booker's 30th Anniversary bourbon barrels — only 50 casks were selected — this release commemorates the 85th anniversary of the La Alteña distillery in a collaboration with Jim Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Arandas, Los Altos (Highlands), Jalisco, Mexico  |  Extra Añejo (3+ Years)  |  Distillery: La Alteña

Production & Heritage

La Alteña was founded by Don Felipe Camarena in 1937 in the highland town of Arandas, Jalisco, and remains family-owned to this day. The Camarena family employs a traditional tahona — a massive volcanic stone wheel — to crush slow-roasted agave piñas, then ferments the juice alongside the crushed fibers in open wooden tanks. Distillation is carried out to the target proof, meaning no water is added post-distillation, preserving the spirit's full agave character. What distinguishes the 85th Anniversary release is its maturation: the distillate rested for over three years in 50 hand-selected casks that previously held Booker's 30th Anniversary bourbon, imparting layers of deep caramel, toasted oak, and warm baking spice that complement the earthy agave core.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cooked agave and ripe cherries arrive first, followed by seasoned oak, leather, and warm molasses. Deeper breaths reveal vanilla, toffee, and a subtle thread of maple syrup that nods to the bourbon cask influence.

Taste: The entry is sweet and rounded, with cooked agave and dark berry fruit leading the charge. Mid-palate, the bourbon-barrel influence becomes more prominent — almond, banana, coffee, and tobacco weave together alongside caramel and peppery spice. The texture is notably rich and lightly oily, reflecting the tahona production and extended barrel time.

Finish: Long, creamy, and sweet, tapering gradually into gentle baking spice and lingering roasted agave. The oak never overwhelms; instead it frames the agave with a warm, toasted halo that persists for several minutes.

How to Drink El Tesoro 85th Anniversary

This extra añejo is best appreciated neat in a Riedel tequila glass or snifter at room temperature, where the full interplay between agave and bourbon-cask influence can unfold. A single ice cube or a few drops of water can open the sweeter notes without dulling the finish.

• Old Fashioned (tequila variation): The caramel-forward, barrel-rich profile mirrors the depth of a well-aged bourbon, making it a natural swap in this classic.
• Añejo Manhattan: The dark fruit, toffee, and spice character stands up to sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters beautifully.
• Sipping Highball: Pair with high-quality sparkling water and an orange peel; the carbonation lifts the vanilla and cherry aromatics while keeping the drink sessionable.

Best For

• Gifting a serious tequila collector who values tahona-produced, barrel-finished expressions
• Celebrating a milestone — the commemorative nature of the release suits anniversaries and retirements
• Adding a rare, allocated bottle to a spirits library focused on extra añejos and crossover barrel projects
• Hosting a guided tasting comparing bourbon-barrel-aged tequilas against traditional French-oak expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does El Tesoro 85th Anniversary taste like? It leads with rich cooked agave, dark berries, and caramel, layered with coffee, tobacco, and peppery spice from extended aging in Booker's bourbon barrels. The finish is long and creamy with lingering sweetness and gentle oak.

How does El Tesoro 85th Anniversary compare to the standard El Tesoro Extra Añejo? Both share the tahona-crushed, highland-agave DNA and are aged as extra añejos, but the 85th Anniversary gains additional bourbon-forward richness — caramel, toasted vanilla, leather — from its exclusive Booker's 30th Anniversary casks. The standard expression uses conventional ex-bourbon barrels and tends toward a lighter, more agave-forward profile at comparable age.

Is El Tesoro 85th Anniversary good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its creamy texture, balanced sweetness, and complex oak structure make it an excellent neat pour, and the 40% ABV keeps it approachable without sacrificing depth.

Where is El Tesoro 85th Anniversary made? It is produced at La Alteña distillery in Arandas, located in the Los Altos (Highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico — an area prized for agave with higher sugar content due to red volcanic soil and elevated altitude.

What foods pair well with El Tesoro 85th Anniversary? Dark chocolate truffles complement the coffee and toffee barrel notes. Slow-smoked barbacoa echoes the spirit's earthy agave core. Aged Manchego or Gouda brings out the caramel sweetness. Mole negro mirrors the layered spice complexity. Pecan pie reinforces the toasted nut and maple undertones.

What sizes does El Tesoro 85th Anniversary come in? This limited release is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is El Tesoro 85th Anniversary worth the price? It positions as a premium, limited-production extra añejo and commands a significant step up from the core El Tesoro range, justified by the scarcity of only 50 selected Booker's 30th Anniversary casks and the labor-intensive tahona production method.

Why El Tesoro 85th Anniversary?

The defining differentiator here is the barrel selection: only 50 Booker's 30th Anniversary bourbon casks were chosen to finish this spirit, a collaboration between the Camarena family and Fred Noe that bridges two of North America's most storied distilling traditions. Tahona production — increasingly rare even among premium tequilas — gives the liquid a richer, more textured mouthfeel than roller-mill counterparts. The three-plus years of barrel aging push this firmly into sipping territory, yet the agave never disappears beneath the wood. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a crossover expression that honors highland tequila tradition while embracing American bourbon heritage, this commemorative bottling delivers genuine complexity and scarcity in a single package.