Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo Tequila

Tears of Llorona is an interesting spirit where the tequila is aged in oak barrels that previously held Scotch, sherry, and cognac for approximately five years, then bottled at 43.0%. I had been interested in trying this for some time but never committed to buying a bottle. Fortunately, a very generous friend provided me with a sample to taste. The aroma is light and delicate, starting with floral notes and a roasted agave greeting before a background of light smoke, with fruits like white grapes, canned peaches, and salted mango at the forefront. Then comes caramel flan, transitioning to a stronger but still mild smoke with roasted asparagus, fried yucca root, and cinnamon churros with a spicy dark chocolate dipping sauce, exhibiting a low ethanol burn. The taste has a light mouthfeel, beginning fruity with limes, oranges, and persimmons, quickly moving to a clay minerality along with a drying ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon spice. It then fades to churros, followed by roasted agave, olive oil-covered grilled asparagus, fried yucca root, and vanilla meringue, with a low ethanol burn. The finish is short, with light smoke, lime, sautéed apples, persimmons, vanilla pudding, spicy dark chocolate, black pepper, ginger, and moderate oak spice. This is a very complex tequila that was a lot of fun to dissect, featuring an aroma of florals, citrus, light smoke, sweets, roasted vegetables, and spices, followed by a palate that leads with fruit before an earthy and spicy mix that fades to fried sweets, roasted vegetables, and creamy sweets, finishing with light smoke, citrus, chocolate, and a mild spice. At $250, I'm glad I had the chance to taste this fine and intricate tequila, but I would likely never purchase a bottle as my preference leans towards unaged Del Maguey Arroqueno mezcal at half the price. If you are seeking a very complex tequila with layers of flavor, I would recommend trying this at a bar before committing to a full bottle.

Time to temporarily shift focus from scotch. What better way than an extra añejo tequila that has spent time in scotch barrels? And brandy. And sherry. It makes me wonder about the taste of scotch aged in casks that previously held tequila. The price for this particular bottle ranges from $200-280. What you receive is a flavor profile unlike any other. I can still discern some agave notes, but is it still tequila? NOSE: Brandy is prominent. Sweet, floral grapes. I don't detect cognac or Armagnac. Perhaps due to the agave influence, it resembles grappa more than anything. Only after the grappa notes fade do aged tequila characteristics emerge. Oaky, vanilla, cinnamon, and peppers. I perceive little sherry or anything akin to scotch. A hint of tobacco might be the sole trace of peat. It's astonishingly complex and smells like nothing I've encountered before. PALATE: Wow, these must have been damp casks. The flavors are arriving from all directions, almost chaotically. The initial taste is intensely cinnamon and ginger, followed by vanilla and nutmeg. If there's scotch present, it reminds me of a young Auchentoshan – excessively smooth and oaky. However, richer flavors then take over. Once the dark chocolate asserts itself, it truly dominates. This progresses into leather and coffee notes. Sherry undertones round out the finish. Black figs, cherries, and gingerbread. FINISH: Hello tequila. There you are. Chocolate, vanilla, ginger, agave. It departs before you're ready for it to leave. VERDICT: It might betray tequila's identity. But how many tequilas can be described as contemplative? I don't believe it's good enough to warrant purchasing a bottle. However, I had a 2 oz pour for a very reasonable $31, and I'll likely try it again. I sense there's much more to discover in this eclectic spirit. MARK: 85/100.

Some friends and I had our regular online tasting. We tried 4 pours... all were incredible. They included 25yr Proof and Wood Light whiskey, Tears of Llorana tequila, Del Maguey Iberico, and an unnamed local mezcal from a distillery in Oaxaca. I'm not a tequila expert, but I've had enough to rank one as my best ever. This is it. It's my absolute favorite tequila I've ever tasted. This tequila is suited for whiskey enthusiasts. It has incredible layers of complexity, much like a well-aged Speyside finished in a tequila cask. It was aged for 5 years in cognac, scotch, and sherry casks. Strong notes of rancio, custard, and toffee. It's expensive, but incredibly delicious. If you're going to purchase a tequila, this is the one. Thanks to a friend for the pour!!

Served neat. It's a clear amber color with very slow-moving legs. The nose has agave as a background element. Sweet notes include heavy dried fruits, prunes, cherries, some ripe banana, milk chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. These are balanced by significant oak, hints of leather, and a touch of peat smoke. The flavor begins sweet with agave, dried fruit, and a slight vanilla note. It's nicely complemented by oak, black pepper, cinnamon, leather, and a little mint. The long finish has sweet oak tannins and spice. The mouthfeel is rich but finishes dry. Overall, it leans sweeter than balanced. Delicious and very complex. Many flavors emerge as it airs in the glass and bottle. It's pricey, but the spirit is special and excellent. Great for sipping on a special occasion.

Very rich and smooth. It wasn't as full and velvety as I had anticipated, but still oily and smooth. It offers a very deep and complex flavor profile, featuring an exquisite dark chocolate note that overpowers the subtler hints of vanilla, tobacco, and pepper. The finish is somewhat sweeter, with brighter notes of cooked agave and cinnamon apple. The alcohol is still noticeable due to the higher proof, but its smoothness makes for a thoroughly enjoyable, clean sipper. I'm curious how much smoother it would be at the standard 40% level – but who doesn't appreciate a bit more alcohol! Get one bottle for sipping and another for display; the color is stunning (among the best visually)!

It has the classic cooked agave aroma, layered with oak, caramel, dried fruits, raisins, and black pepper. The scent is incredible. It's smooth without being heavy, offering a pleasant mouthfeel with minimal burn. Prominent notes of agave, black pepper, and artichoke immediately engage the palate. Following the initial savory flavors, sweetness emerges with caramel, plums, raisins, and a lingering finish of oaky vanilla ice cream. Truly outstanding. Remarkably complex. Yet, it remains distinctly tequila, showcasing the layered complexity derived from its various barrel aging. Astonishing, I'm very impressed.