Review: Avion Reserva Cristalino
Avion Reserva Cristalino was introduced February 2022. With an MSRP near $150 its safe to call this an ultra premium tequila. Avion was founded in 2010 by Ken Austin and the tequila enjoyed immediate success as Avion was featured in a story line on the HBO series Entourage. Avion was acquired by Pernod Richard in 2018. Avion starts with 100% agave grown for 8-10 years at 7000 feet in Jesus Maria, Jalisco Mexico by the Lopez family, fifth generation agave farmers. The hand selected agave is slow roasted at low temperatures for 3 days in traditional brick ovens to protect the natural agave flavor. The juice is open air fermented without fibers and double distilled. After a proprietary ultra slow filtration that takes 10 times longer than most, the spirit rests in American Oak barrels. Avion Reserva Cristalino is a unique blend of their finest anejo barrels with a touch of extra anejo. The tequila is double charcoal filtered prior to bottling. The aroma leads with cooked agave and vanilla. Additional time brings out earthy, tropical fruit, sliced apple, and butterscotch. The sweet agave entry is joined by vanilla building to an earthy citrus and butterscotch peak. It fades with tropical fruit, caramel, spice, and oak. The finish is dry and peppery with chocolate, sweet cinnamon, cooked agave, orange, and a significant oak presence, leaving black pepper tangerine peel, and caramel taste. If Cristalino is not your jam I get it. If the $150 price tag isn’t in your budget I understand. Personally I enjoy Cristalino tequila’s and I enjoyed the unique flavor profile of Avion Reserva Cristalino.
NOM:
Region: Highland
40% Alcohol
Score: 92
Award: Gold Medal