Expresiones del Corazon Tequila Anejo aged in Thomas Handy Barrels

Expresiones del Corazon Tequila Anejo Aged in Thomas Handy Barrels is a 100% Blue Weber agave añejo tequila at 40% ABV (750ml) aged 19 months in Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye whiskey barrels. This limited expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was named Best Añejo at the 2021 World Tequila Awards, establishing it as one of the most critically acclaimed barrel-finished tequilas available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof)  |  Origin: Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico  |  Añejo — 19 Months in Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Barrels  |  Distillery: Casa San Matías (NOM 1103)

Production & Heritage

Casa San Matías, the distillery behind this expression (NOM 1103), sources highland Blue Weber agave from the Los Altos region of Jalisco, where higher altitude and red clay soils produce agave with greater sugar concentration. The agave hearts are slow-cooked in traditional stone ovens, then pressed, fermented, and distilled before spending 19 months maturing in barrels that previously held Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye—a highly allocated, barrel-proof rye whiskey from Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection. The rye-seasoned oak imparts a distinctive spice-forward character that separates this añejo from conventionally aged expressions, layering American rye influence over the earthy, vegetal backbone of highland agave.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with assertive wood and jasmine, evolving into light ginger, anise, and chocolate. Secondary waves of orange peel, cinnamon, clove, coconut, and nutmeg build complexity, underpinned by a grassy, rye-laden bite that signals the barrel's origin.

Taste: The entry is rich with toffee and fig cake, transitioning quickly into candied fruit at mid-palate. As the spirit develops, earthier agave tones emerge alongside almonds, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. The rye barrel's influence is unmistakable—there is a savory spice tension that keeps the sweetness in check throughout.

Finish: Long and warm, with allspice, coconut, and nutmeg lingering well past the last sip. A subtle minty coolness and stronger wood aroma mark the tail end, leaving a satisfying dryness that invites another pour.

How to Drink Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo

This añejo is best experienced neat or with a single ice cube to let the rye-barrel spice unfold gradually; adding a few drops of water opens up the jasmine and chocolate aromatics further. For cocktails, the rye influence makes it unusually versatile:

• Oaxacan Old Fashioned (riff): The toffee and baking spice stand up to demerara syrup and mole bitters without losing agave character.
• Añejo Manhattan: Substitute this for rye whiskey in a Manhattan—the barrel lineage creates a seamless crossover with sweet vermouth.
• Tequila Sazerac: A natural pairing given the Thomas Handy barrel provenance; Peychaud's bitters and an absinthe rinse amplify the anise and clove notes already present.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon or rye whiskey enthusiast exploring tequila for the first time
• Side-by-side tastings comparing barrel-finished añejos against traditionally aged expressions
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or dessert
• Building a curated collection of limited-release, barrel-influenced tequilas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo taste like? The dominant profile centers on toffee, fig cake, and candied fruit balanced by rye-driven baking spice—cinnamon, clove, and cardamom—with a persistent earthy agave backbone. The finish is long and warm, marked by allspice, coconut, and nutmeg.

How does Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo compare to other barrel-finished añejos? Unlike añejos aged in standard American oak or ex-bourbon barrels, this expression draws its spice profile specifically from Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye barrels, producing a more pronounced rye-grain bite, mint note, and baking spice complexity than typical añejos that lean heavier on vanilla and caramel.

Is Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo good for sipping neat? At 40% ABV it is approachable neat, with enough complexity from its 19-month rye-barrel aging to reward slow sipping. The layered spice and extended finish make it an ideal candidate for undiluted enjoyment.

Where is Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo made? It is produced at the Casa San Matías Distillery (NOM 1103) in the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, a region prized for agave with higher sugar content due to elevated terrain and mineral-rich red clay soils.

What foods pair well with Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and cinnamon notes; grilled lamb chops match the earthy agave backbone; pecan pie echoes the nutmeg and allspice on the finish; aged Manchego cheese bridges the savory-spice elements; and mole negro mirrors the chocolate and anise aromas.

What sizes does Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo worth the price? It positions as a premium limited-release añejo, and the combination of a Gold Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 92 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and a Best Añejo win at the 2021 World Tequila Awards provides strong critical validation for its price tier relative to other barrel-finished tequilas.

Why Expresiones del Corazon Thomas Handy Añejo?

The defining differentiator is the 19-month maturation in Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye barrels—among the most sought-after casks in American whiskey. That barrel provenance delivers a rye spice signature that no standard oak aging can replicate, while the highland agave base from Los Altos maintains the earthy, vegetal identity that keeps this firmly in tequila territory. The accolades back it up: Gold Medals from both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Los Angeles International Spirits Competition in 2019, a 92-point score from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, and a Best Añejo title at the 2021 World Tequila Awards. For drinkers seeking an añejo that bridges the worlds of aged tequila and American rye whiskey without compromising either, this expression delivers on that premise with verified critical acclaim.