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https://www.barrons.com/articles/eight-must-try-cristalino-tequilas-01656011296
Move over reposado, anejo, and extra anejo—when it comes to premium aged tequila today, cristalino is the expression to sip.
The newest kid on the high-end tequila block, cristalino is quickly growing as a category and competing for attention among fans of the agave spirit, who prefer to enjoy it neat or on the rocks, in the same way they would a complex aged expression.
“A few years ago, you hardly saw cristalinos, but they’re super-hot today, and many tequila brands are jumping on the bandwagon to produce them,” says Mike Morales, cofounder of the website and magazine Tequila Aficionado.
As the name hints, cristalino is a clear tequila just like a blanco, he explains. But unlike a blanco, it’s aged—often in bourbon barrels.
“A cristalino can be a reposado, anejo, or extra anejo, but it’s filtered, usually with charcoal, which is what makes it crystal clear,” says Morales. “Charcoal strips out the characteristics, color and flavor.” (Repsados are tequilas that are aged a minimum of two months in barrels while anejos are aged for at least a year. Extra anejos require a minimum of two years.)
Taste wise, cristalinos are lighter and less aggressive than traditional aged tequilas. They’re also incredibly versatile. Morales says that you can drink them alone, but their muted notes make them well suited to pair with food.
As popular as the expression is becoming, it’s interesting to note that the Consejo Regulador de Tequila, the governing body of tequila, hasn’t yet recognized cristalinos as an official category so no statistics exist on their sales.
Tequila drinkers are spoiled for choice today when it comes to picking a cristalino, but the following eight rank high on our must-try list. It’s time to pour a glass and say cheers.
Crafted with anejo tequila that’s aged in French white oak barrels, Komos Anejo Cristalino is bright with notes of pineapples, orange zest, and lime. It has a floral, fruity taste and a rich mouthfeel. The finish is delicate and intertwined with hints of sweetness.
Probably the most well-known cristalino, Don Julio 70 is distilled twice and aged for 18 months in American white oak barrels. It stands out for its notes of vanilla laced with caramel and tropical fruit. The silky mouthfeel makes this expression a crowd pleaser as does the incredibly smooth taste. It’s a tequila that’s easy to drink.
Released earlier this year and the second expression to join Avion’s luxury Reserva line, this is a cristalino with depth. Made with anejo tequila that’s double filtered, it has a multitude of flavors including oak, spices and nuts. The taste is robust and luscious.
Flecha Azul Anejo Cristalino, US$200
From a brand founded by Mexican-American PGA golfer Abraham Ancer and Mexican entrepreneur Aron Marquez, Flecha Azul Cristalino is the priciest on our list. Aged for 18 months in bourbon barrels, it’s filtered three times and has a rich, full taste without any harshness. Notes of coconut, vanilla, and caramel are prevalent throughout.
Herradura Ultra is crafted with anejo tequila that gets a dash of agave before it’s filtered. The expression has a distinct vanilla aroma and fresh, crisp taste with characteristics of toasted almonds. It’s ideal to drink on a warm day—preferably on the rocks.
Maestro Dobel founder Juan Dobel released this expression in 2020 to commemorate his 50th birthday—hence the name. Made with extra-anejo tequila that’s aged in Eastern European and American oak barrels and distilled in copper pot stills, the cristalino is noteworthy for its smoothness. The taste is bold and big but not overpowering. Every sip captures flavors of dried fruit, cinnamon and cloves.
An unusual aging process is behind 1800 Cristalino’s especially clean and pure taste. Anejo tequila starts off in French and American oak barrels and is finished for six more months in port wine casks. It has a medium-bodied mouthfeel that’s slightly buttery and peppery with a finish that’s fruity and smooth.
From a brand founded by five winemakers, Penta Diamante is crafted with reposado tequila that’s aged for around seven months in new French oak. Double distilled, it sings of strawberries and is ideal to sip with dessert. It’s silky and soft all around.
Move over reposado, anejo, and extra anejo—when it comes to premium aged tequila today, cristalino is the expression to sip.
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