Avion Reserva 44 Extra Anejo 750ML

Avion Reserva 44 Extra Anejo 750ML is a 100% Blue Weber agave extra añejo tequila aged 44 months, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). A Chairman's Trophy winner at the Ultimate Beverage Challenge, this expression stands apart through a singular finishing technique: after 43 months in oak barrels, the tequila spends its final month in specially selected petite barrels that are rotated by hand every day.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico  |  44 Months Aged (Extra Añejo)  |  Distillery: Avión, Jesús María

Production & Heritage

Avión produces its tequilas in the town of Jesús María, situated in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, where the red, iron-rich soil and elevated terrain yield agave with heightened sweetness. The Blue Weber agave piñas are slow-roasted in traditional brick ovens for 72 hours before undergoing small-batch distillation followed by a proprietary ultra-slow filtration process. Reserva 44 takes its name from its total aging period: 43 months resting in oak barrels, then a critical final month in smaller petite barrels that are physically rotated each day, maximizing wood contact and extracting deeper layers of flavor without overwhelming the agave character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with deep roasted agave and rich caramel, layered with toasted oak and marzipan. Vanilla and light citrus develop behind those primary notes, along with subtle dried fruit and spice.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately lush, delivering dark chocolate and butterscotch across the front palate. At mid-palate, cinnamon and dried fruit emerge alongside sweet agave, while a tres leches richness and ripe mango add unexpected depth. The overall impression is one of harmonious balance between aged oak character and pure agave sweetness.

Finish: The finish is long and gently warming, with lingering vanilla, eucalyptus, and toasted spice. A clean, mellow sweetness carries through the close without turning cloying.

How to Drink Reserva 44

A tequila of this complexity and age deserves to be sipped neat at room temperature, or with a single ice cube to slowly open up additional layers of aroma. If mixing, reach for cocktails that showcase rather than mask the spirit.

• Old Fashioned (Tequila variation): The butterscotch and dark chocolate notes pair naturally with a light agave syrup and orange bitters, replacing bourbon seamlessly.
• Añejo Manhattan: Reserva 44's oak-driven spice and dried fruit complement sweet vermouth in a way that mirrors aged whiskey expressions.
• Sidecar (Tequila twist): The mango and citrus undertones bridge beautifully into orange liqueur and fresh lemon, creating a refined riff on the classic.

Best For

• Gifting a tequila enthusiast who already knows Don Julio 1942
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert
• Marking a milestone — anniversaries, promotions, or retirement celebrations
• Building a premium extra añejo tequila collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Reserva 44 taste like? Reserva 44 delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by dark chocolate, butterscotch, roasted agave, and vanilla, with secondary notes of cinnamon, mango, and dried fruit. The overall character is decadent yet balanced, with the agave remaining present throughout the extended aging.

How does Reserva 44 compare to Don Julio 1942? Both are premium aged tequilas frequently chosen for special occasions, but Reserva 44 carries a longer total aging period of 44 months versus the minimum 30-month standard for Don Julio 1942's añejo classification. Reserva 44's unique petite-barrel finishing step also gives it a distinctly richer, more oak-forward character with pronounced dark chocolate and butterscotch notes.

Is Reserva 44 good for sipping neat? Reserva 44 is designed first and foremost as a sipping tequila, and its 44 months of aging produce a complexity and smoothness that reward slow, contemplative drinking. A small amount of ice or a few drops of water can open additional aromas without diminishing the experience.

Where is Reserva 44 made? Reserva 44 is produced at the Avión distillery in Jesús María, located in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, Mexico. This high-elevation region is prized for growing Blue Weber agave with naturally sweeter, more fruit-forward characteristics.

What foods pair well with Reserva 44? Dark chocolate truffles complement the spirit's cocoa and butterscotch notes. Flan or tres leches cake echoes the vanilla and caramel richness. Grilled stone fruit like peaches or mangoes highlights the tropical undertones. Aged cheeses such as Manchego or Gouda mirror the oak complexity. Mole-sauced dishes bring out the cinnamon and dried fruit layers.

What sizes does Reserva 44 come in? The standard size for Avion Reserva 44 Extra Anejo is the 750ml bottle.

Is Reserva 44 worth the price? Reserva 44 positions squarely in the ultra-premium extra añejo category, competing with expressions like Don Julio 1942 and Clase Azul Reposado. Its 44-month aging, hand-rotated petite-barrel finish, and Chairman's Trophy recognition from the Ultimate Beverage Challenge provide tangible justification for its price tier.

Why Reserva 44?

The daily rotation of petite barrels during the final month of aging is not a marketing gimmick — it is a labor-intensive step that physically increases the spirit's contact with fresh wood surface area, drawing out concentrated vanilla, caramel, and spice while maintaining a refined texture. That technique, combined with 43 months of prior oak aging, ultra-slow filtration, and agave sourced from the prized Jalisco highlands, produces an extra añejo with uncommon depth. The Chairman's Trophy from the Ultimate Beverage Challenge — which described it as "a supremely luxurious spirit" — confirms what the production process suggests. In a crowded ultra-premium tequila market, Reserva 44 earns its distinction through verifiable craft rather than bottle design or celebrity endorsement.