When you think Tequila, what comes to mind? Margaritas? Lime and salt accompanied shots? Tequila has long been considered the liquor that brings the party, but it can be so much more. We recently had an opportunity to experience Asombroso Gran Reserva Extra Ãejo, a Tequila to be savored and enjoyed. It is a sipping Tequila, aged five years in French Oak Barrels, imparting a flavor, unlike any other Tequila you may have had before. If you fancy the idea of combining the bright, fresh taste of Tequila with the slow, savoring the experience of enjoying a good scotch or cognac, then you will enjoy Ultra fine Tequila like Asombroso Gran Reserva Five Year Extra Añejo. Because like you, gentle Style Chicks readers, its’ just getting better with age.

ABOUT FINE TEQUILAS

There’s tequila and then there is tequila. Technically, there are three kinds of tequila.

First, there is “Silver” Tequila, the patron saint of margaritas. It instantly ups everyone’s favorite party drinks’ festivity factor as a highly versatile base for a slew of fruity flavors. With its’ earthy agave flavor, most Silver Tequilas are generally part of a mixed drink or reserved for doing shots, often college-frat style.

Then there is briefly aged “reposado tequila”, which has had a respectable two to twelve-month “resting” that is just long enough to mellow the bite and the earthy taste. It’s more of a Blanc than flavorful, perhaps a bit fruity or caramel-like, but not sweet. It does not require watering down, and makes a more enjoyable shot of Tequila shots than a Silver; something to drink along the way within an evening as a compliment to the meal or occasion, but not a destination unto itself. But reposado tequila is a stand-up guy of liquors nonetheless, elevated above the college bar variety of tequilas. A slightly more grown-up tequila, albeit a grown-up on holiday if you will.

Then there’s the third kind of Tequila: “Extra Añejo”, or extra-aged. Extra Añejo has been aged at least three years in oak. They are a deep golden color and often have a honey and smokey taste like a good scotch. As you can imagine, they are less well-known than their party-hearty Tequila brethren. The longer it ages, the better it tastes, evoking a Cognac kind of vibe over time. It is a luxury item of distinction not intended to be obscured by other flavorings (i.e. used as the liquor in a margarita). It is a sipping Tequila. A cultured, artisan, higher echelon tequila.

All that being said, why drink luxury Tequila?

We recently had an opportunity to experience Asombroso Gran Reserva Five Year Extra Añejo Tequila, a Tequila to be savored and enjoyed.

PRESENTATION

It comes in a beautiful bottle, reminiscent of heavy art glass. There is a heavy golden engraved style stamp logo. It comes wrapped exceptionally well, there are two heavy duty Ziploc style seal bags over an inner bag, wrapped in black gift tissue paper in a thick sturdy inner box, shipped in a well wrapped outer box. It is housed for safety in transit and yet like a gift. While I love prettily package products as much as the next gal, it makes me wonder whether to expect a regular but pretentious tequila or the fine malt scotch of tequilas.

What’s Special About Gran Reserva Extra Añejo

Gran Reserva is a 100% blue agave Silver that is aged 5 years (well past the three-year minimum required for finer Tequilas) in new French oak barrels. What is so special about that? Blue agave is what gives that bright, fresh taste to Tequila, and aging it is what mellows the bite. The longer it is aged, the smoother it is. Oak Barrels gives the cognac or scotch smokey overtone. Aging in NEW French oak barrels optimizes this taste and makes it distinctly Gran Reserva. This gives premium Añejo a full-bodied taste that critics have compared to an aged Cognac or Armagnac.

Gran Reserva is to be savored, this is decidedly not your run-of-the-mill Tequila for doing shots. There is a wonderful aroma as soon as you open the bottle. It is best served in a snifter, not a shot glass in order to allow it to breathe, to enjoy its aroma and see its’ lovely golden honey glow. While it certainly could make a marvelous mixed drink, obscuring its’ flavor and aroma would in part miss of what makes this drink so exceptionally distinctive.

MY EXPERIENCE: PUTTING GRAN RESERVA TO THE TASTE TEST

Anejo Tequila is their 100% El Platinot, aged five years in French Oak barrels. The result is a full-bodied tequila that reminds me somewhat of a fine Armagnac.
I enjoyed the aroma of honey and vanilla notes for literally, a full five minutes before tasting. There are buttercream and toffee, yielding to a smooth caramel finish. The main event didn’t disappoint! The smooth caramel finish was exceptional, leave me looking forward to the next occasion to experience this wonderful tequila.

WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO DRINK A FINE TEQUILA?

Ideal for an event, bachelor’s night, passing-the-bar celebration, or any evening worth celebrating, Gran Reserva Extra Añejo offers a traditional crowd-pleasing liquor in a distinctive, upscale way that makes for a unique experience for your next event.

If you like the idea of a scotch tasting party, a fine tequila like Gran Reserva Extra Anejo is probably something your friends have not tried but would make for a unique and memorable group tasting experience.

Still need a good excuse to start drinking ultrafine tequila? Asombroso is having a Buy one get one 50% until Cinco de Mayo, May 5th (hint, hint…).

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Asombroso Gran Reserva Five Year Extra Añejo Tequila at

https://shop.asombrosotequila.com

We received Asombroso Gran Reserva Five Year Extra Añejo Tequila in exchange for our unbiased review and received compensation for our time and effort. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.