Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo

Finally opened this after finding it at a very good price at my local warehouse store. The value is justified by the quality inside this fancy bottle. Initially, the aroma reminded me of other tequilas due to its strong agave presence. However, it evolved to a more complex profile. Besides the agave, I detected vegetal/grassy, woody, and citrus zest notes. The palate was simpler but still enjoyable. Oak and agave upfront transitioned to a white peppery finish. Dangerously smooth and somewhat oily, leaving the mouth dry later. I couldn't find any real weaknesses. Definitely highly recommended for both experienced and beginner tequila drinkers.

A boozy crème brûlée and caramel nose. The taste is like a dry, rum-like spirit that's hard to pin down. I don't get much vegetal agave flavor or smoke; it's more like a grassy cognac. My first high-end extra anejo, so my palate is still learning. It's good but lacks agave character/soul, presenting a more amorphous, generic, strong rummy spirit flavor to me. I wish it would commit to being either more vegetal agave or more caramel-sweet spirit, but it sits on the fence, making it less interesting.

Tequila isn't typically my preferred drink, but my wife enjoys it, so I seek out options we can both appreciate. This led me to explore some of the more expensive options. The aroma has a subtle hint of agave, not the overpowering scent found in younger spirits. On the palate, it's pleasantly sweet with notes of sugar and a slight warmth on the edges. The finish is mild and sweet, mirroring the overall taste. While I'm not converted, this is an excellent pour.

Allegedly forty-four tasting notes are revealed by this extra anejo. In reality, it’s a classic, straightforward extra anejo with well-rounded characteristics. The sole complaint is that they all blend together, and the tequila doesn’t develop as it moves through the mouth. It pleasantly avoids almost any smoke and peat, which is a sign of quality in such heavily handled extra anejos.

Let it sit for about a minute. Appearance: Pale goldish at first glance, with thin legs in the shot glass; Nose: Typical grassy tequila notes, very vegetal, smells warm, with sweet honey and butterscotch; Palate: Very smooth, again the sweet honey, tastes like licking a sugar cube; Finish: Short, not lingering; the grassiness disappears, but the sweetness remains. Beautiful.

The flavor gets a four. Strong vanilla, excellent for sipping. However, it falters due to the use of additives for that profile. Still, it's a good starting point for bourbon drinkers transitioning to agave spirits.