Review: Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Anejo Cristalino
Anejo Cristalino is the fourth member of the Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia line of tequila. It joins Platino, Reposado, and Extra Anejo. This is Jose Cuervo’s premium line of tequila that was once only served to family and friends. Cristalino continues to be the fastest growing segment of the US tequila market having grown 36% last year. Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Anejo Cristalino is crafted at La Rosena, the oldest distillery in Mexico from 100% organic agave grown on the family estate. The pinas are cooked in traditional stone ovens and after a long fermentation double distilled in small capacity copper pot stills. The spirit is aged in new American oak barrels for 1 year and then finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for 6 months. A proprietary charcoal filtration follows to remove the color before bottling. The aroma leads with cooked agave, wet oak, vanilla, and spice. Additional time brings out grape, chocolate milk, a hint of butterscotch, and black pepper. The sweet citrus, vanilla, and herbal agave entry is joined by lemon, caramel, and oak building to a bright and creamy vanilla and grape peak. It fades with lemon, cooked agave, and berry and finishes with chocolate raisin, lemon zest, toasted oak, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
NOM: 1122
Agave Region: Lowlands
40% Alcohol
Score: 91
Award: Gold Medal