Reposado tequila is aged 2 to 12 months, while anejo is aged 1 to 3 years, giving it a darker color and richer flavor.
Reposado
Aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels. Smooth, with light vanilla and caramel. A gold color.
Añejo
Aged 1 to 3 years in oak (barrels under 600 liters). Darker, with notes of oak and spice.
Blanco
Unaged or aged under 2 months.
Extra añejo
Aged over 3 years.
Price
Añejo costs more.
Use
Reposado for cocktails. Añejo for sipping.
Aging
By Mexican regulation, blanco (silver) tequila is unaged or aged less than 2 months. Reposado is aged for 2 months to 1 year in oak barrels. Anejo is aged for 1 to 3 years in oak barrels no larger than 600 liters. Extra anejo is aged for more than 3 years.
Taste
- Reposado: smooth, with agave flavor along with notes of vanilla, caramel and light oak.
- Anejo: richer, more complex, with caramel, spice and dried fruit, similar to whiskey or cognac.
Color
Reposado is pale gold, while anejo is darker amber. Color can be added in some categories as caramel coloring is permitted in aged tequila.
Requirements
Tequila must be made from blue Weber agave and produced in designated regions of Mexico, mainly Jalisco. 100% agave tequila is made only from agave sugars; mixto tequila can contain up to 49% other sugars.
Price
Anejo tequilas cost more due to longer aging and evaporation, called the angel’s share (2% to 5% per year or more). Prices range from about 30 dollars for entry level to several hundred for premium bottles.
Use
- Blanco: margaritas, palomas and cocktails.
- Reposado: cocktails that benefit from a little oak, or sipping.
- Anejo and extra anejo: neat sipping, in a snifter.
Alcohol content
Tequila must be 35% to 55% alcohol by volume (70 to 110 proof). Most are 40%.
Barrels
Barrels can include ex bourbon American oak, French oak, or sherry and wine casks.
Regulation
The Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) oversees production and labeling.
Drink responsibly
Do not drink and drive. Legal age rules apply.
Aging categories
Under Mexican regulations, blanco tequila is unaged or aged less than two months, reposado is aged in oak from 2 months up to 1 year, añejo from 1 to 3 years and extra añejo more than 3 years. Reposado often tastes smooth with hints of vanilla and light oak while keeping agave flavor, and añejo tends to be darker and richer, with notes of caramel, spice and wood. Authentic tequila is made from blue Weber agave and produced in designated regions, mainly the state of Jalisco.
Use, strength and price
Tequila is usually bottled at 40 percent alcohol by volume (80 proof). Reposado is versatile in cocktails such as a Margarita or Paloma, while añejo is often sipped neat like whiskey. Añejo typically costs more because of the longer aging. Look for “100% agave” on the label, because “mixto” tequilas can contain up to 49 percent other sugars. Drink in moderation: the Dietary Guidelines suggest up to one drink a day for women and two for men, and not drinking is fine.
Based on data from the Tequila Regulatory Council and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
