SHORT REVIEW: Patrón Añejo Tequila – VA ABC Barrel Select (Barrel #46)

Patrón (NOM 1492) is one of the top three best-selling tequila brands in the world, moving millions of cases annually. This añejo is a Virginia ABC single barrel. Unlike the brand’s regular añejo, this one is not a blend of tequilas from four different barrels (American White, French, and Hungarian Oak and new and used barrels). This bottle is from Barrel #46 (Lote A48F00125).

This is made using Highlands (Altos) Blue Weber agave cooked in clay ovens for 48 hours. The aguamiel is then extracted using separately both a roller mill and a volcanic tahona stone wheel before fermentation in wood tanks with and without agave fibers (bagasse). Like its regular releases, this single barrel was carbon filtered to make it “smoother” after aging a minimum of 12 months in an American White Oak barrel. The aroma and flavor profiles on this are much punchier and better than those of the brand’s regular blended añejo.

This tasting notes review is based on multiple notes-taking sessions spaced out across four months using Riedel Tequila Flute and Denver & Liely Mezcal glasses.

COLOR: Darker straw yellow

AROMA PROFILE: Sweet cooked agave with some raw agave muskiness, honeyed tropical fruits and dried fruits, baking spices (cinnamon & nutmeg), light caramel, vanilla, & white pepper.

PALATE: Rich cooked agave & deep honeyed fresh tropical fruits, dried fruits, fruit skins, baking spices from the nose, oak/barrel notes, citrus (orange & lemon) peel, black pepper, & finishes with some herbal & anise notes.

MOUTHFEEL: Medium viscosity

FINISH: 7-8 seconds

VALUE: Thoroughly enjoyable aged sipping tequila that is more flavorful than the brand’s regular añejo.

ALWAYS ON THE SHELF? Yes; I have reserve bottles of this single barrel. I also have some bottles from different single barrels and am looking forward to comparing this to those.