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Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Top Extra Anejo Tequila, According To The Beverage Testing Inst.
Extra Añejo Tequila with lime and salt. Four Extra Añejo Tequilas and three Cristalino Tequilas were awarded Gold Medals at the 2025 Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) Tequila Judging. Tears of Llorona Small Batch Extra Añejo Tequila was the top-ranked Extra Añejo and the only Platinum medal winner among Tequilas. 1800 Cristalino Tequila Añejo was the top-ranked Cristalino Tequila. Below is a brief background on each of the gold medalists, along with the official BevTest tasting notes on the Tequilas. Score: 96 - Platinum Medal–Superlative Crafted by Master Distiller Germán González, Tears of Llorona is a luxury, small-batch Extra Añejo Tequila matured in Sherry, Scotch, and brandy barrels. It's widely praised for its rare complexity and depth and has been a perennial winner in international spirit competitions. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'root beer, coffee grounds, and tobacco, followed by flavors of oak, peach- fig cobbler, and anise. Vibrant, decadent, and wildly nuanced, and still easily identifiable as agave-forward Tequila.' Score: 94 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Crafted by Casa Cuervo, Milenio is aged in French oak Cognac barrels. This elegant extra añejo is designed for special occasions and delivers layered, dessert-like richness. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'dark caramelized nuts, chocolate coconut bar, and vanilla frosting, followed by flavors of chocolate orange peels, delicate spices, and creme brulee with powdered sugar. A tasty and very well-balanced Extra Añejo that is sure to please.' Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Alquimia Reserva de Don Adolfo VI is an estate-grown organic Extra Añejo Tequila. It offers richness, balance, and subtle influences of tropical and orchard fruits. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'cinnamon, grass, and balsa wood accompanied by flavors of salted caramel, baked orchard fruit, and pineapple skin. Rich and inviting with lovely, dried citrus that balances the rich flavors that are beautifully balanced for Tequila Old Fashioneds or after-dinner sipping.' Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional This cask strength Extra Añejo from Alquimia is bold and intense. It's bottled at full barrel proof and aimed at seasoned Tequila drinkers looking for robust flavor and structure. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'warm maple syrup, Demerara with chopped nuts, and baker's chocolate, followed by flavors of dark chocolate, cigar ash, and sandalwood. A bold and intense Extra Añejo sipper.' 1800 Tequila Holiday Dinner With Designer & Curator Greg Yuna(Photo byfor 1800 Tequila) Score: 93 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Produced by Casa Cuervo, 1800 Cristalino is a charcoal-filtered Añejo Tequila that removes color while retaining complex flavors. It combines the aging process of an Extra Añejo with crisp modern appeal. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'coconut dulce de leche, heated stones, and fresh ream of paper with flavors of chipotle, parmesan, and cream cheese. The complexity of an Extra Anejo in a crisp, tailored white Armani suit, stylish and grounded in high-quality agave.' Score: 92 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Patrón's Cristalino blends aged complexity with polished smoothness. It undergoes charcoal filtration to remove color while preserving flavors from ex-bourbon barrels. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'white pepper, caramel, and agave fibers accompanied by flavors of preserved lemon, vanilla salt, and crème anglaise. Impeccably balanced and clean with notes of cultured salted butter, extra virgin olive oil, vanilla, and fresh biscuits.' Score: 91 - Gold Medal–Exceptional Agavales Cristalino is a filtered Reposado that offers a bright, tropical profile with the roundness of brief oak aging and the clarity of a Blanco. The official BevTest Judging Panel described the Tequila as featuring aromas of 'spring, coconut water, and roasted coconut flakes on frosted white cake with flavors of spicy banana bread pudding, pepper, and white chocolate. A supple, vibrantly flavorful Cristalino with excellent versatility.' These seven Tequilas showcase a range of aroma and flavor profiles. The Extra Añejo expressions offer a classic aged Tequila profile that retains its agave core, surrounded by the added complexity and flavors provided by extended oak aging. The Cristalinos, on the other hand, while retaining the agave and oak influence, also offer a cleaner, fresher style that blends a layered, nuanced complexity with a lighter, crisper style. If you like brown spirits, all of these Extra Añejo Tequilas deserve a place on your shelf. If you're looking for a lighter style that still retains the complexity afforded by oak aging, consider exploring the Cristalino expressions. Either way, you won't go wrong with any of these Tequila bottles.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
George Clooney-founded Casamigos broke cardinal rule in tequila making, bombshell lawsuit says
In a bombshell class-action lawsuit, one of best-selling tequilas in the world, George Clooney's Casamigos, is being sued, accused of selling possibly fake tequila, to 'cut corners.' Casamigos and Don Julio, both owned by spirit company Diageo, face allegations in a federal suit of using spirits other than tequila in their bottles, while the brands market themselves as 100% agave. Diageo, the liquor giant that owns both brands, has slammed the claims, calling them 'categorically false.' Tequila, which has to be exclusively made in the tequila region of Mexico from blue weber agave, can only be made of three ingredients: agave, water and yeast. As exclusively reported recently, tequila brands have been allowed to add 1% of additives like glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrups. While even the use of additives has been controversial because they're considered a short cut to the years-long process of crafting the Mexican drink, the filing out of New York, states that Casamigos and Don Julio sold 'adulterated' booze, possibly using cheap cane sugar instead of the 100% prized blue weber agave. Meanwhile, the products are labeled as 'luxury' and 'premium,' with each bottle costing between $50 and $150 a piece. 'Tequila manufacturing requires the cultivation, fermentation, and distillation of Blue Weber Agave, and because this type of agave takes five to ten years to mature for harvest, this 'creates ongoing tension in the industry, as well as the temptation to cut corners,"' the demand reads. Casamigos is the top celebrity-backed tequila in the world A less pure vision of the alcohol - known as mixtos - can be sold, but they must be labeled as only having 51% agave and are much less expensive than tequila. TEQUILA ADDITIVES Glycerin: Chemical creates a fuller mouthfeel. Its heavy, oily texture can mask poor distillation by coating the molecules within the tequila. Oak extract: Can be used to make tequila taste like it's been aged in an oak barrel for longer than it has. Caramel coloring: Often used to create consistency in the color and flavor of aged products, like reposado or añejo tequila, from batch to batch. Jarabes: Sugar-based syrups may include natural sweeteners like agave nectar or artificial ones, like aspartame or Splenda, to sweeten a product Source: Jay Baer Chaim Mishulovin, Avi Pusatezri, a New Yorker mixologist, and restaurant called Sushi Tokyo are the plaintiffs seeking $5 million each in damages from Diageo. Casamigos, famously founded by George Clooney and Randy Gerber (married to super model Cindy Crawford), was sold to Diageo in a $1 billion deal. However, Clooney, Gerber and even his super model wife are used to market the booze, with the Casamigos Jalepeno version marketed with the model's signature birth mark and lips. While its celebrity connections have helped propel Casamigos to being the fourth-best selling tequila in the world, it is often bashed by experts for its terrible quality. 'The issue with celebrity tequila out there is that they're using unripe agave, mass producing it, and pumping it fill of artificial sweeteners just to make a buck,' declared Texas tequila coach Fonseca Aquinaga on his Instagram account. The popularity of the brand means it has shortened the time it allows agave to mature and sweeten naturally in the earth so it can be pulled from the ground and turned into alcohol. Tequila experts say larger operations outsource their blanco Tequila, buying it from a no-name mass producer before adding chemicals to it to make it taste like what their customers are used to. Casamigos contains additives, as does Don Julio, although neither declare it on their packaging. Other alcohol experts have entire reels where they plead with customers to stop wasting their money on both brands being sued. 'One of my friends is thinking about getting Don Julio blanco for $50. What do you think? I think you should get better friends. There are better choices than Don Julio Blanco, like so many better choices,' tequilajaybaer says in the clip. The owner of both brands vows to fight the allegations in the lawsuit. 'These claims of adulteration are outrageous and categorically false; Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas are crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave and are in full compliance with the official tequila standard,' Diageo said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously defending the quality and integrity of our Tequilas in court.' If this case goes to trial, it may be the first time a tequila maker has to actually prove what in their product. Right now, the only tequila regulator in Mexico is the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT.) The private organization is made up of tequila makers, with executives from the most profitable and big tequila brands holding the most power. The CRT uses an honor system to regulate itself. 'There is a binder in every distillery where you write down if you put additives in the product or not. The CRT looks at the binder and signs off and moves on. They don't test or smell or anything,' tequila expert Grover Sanschagrin told Punch. The Consejo Regulador del Tequila or CRT has opposed the 'additive-free' designation The CRT, also known as the 'tequila cartel,' insiders tell do not like to be challenged. Sanschagrins' website, which claims to be the most extensive tequila database in the world, catologues all the additive-free tequila, which he tested in his Guadalajara home. Last year, his home was raided in the dead of night by Mexican federal authorities, according to Mexican media. Armed police, with a warrant that included a complaint by the CRT, claimed that the Sanschagrins were using their home as an 'adulterated tequila factory.' While no one was arrested, some bottles of tequila were seized. Despite the push-back, consumers are learning about additive-free tequila and demanding it. Big alcohol stores, like Total Wine, have now started to label tequila it sells as additive-free.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
George Clooney-founded Casamigos sued for breaking cardinal rule in tequila making
In a bombshell class-action lawsuit, one of best-selling tequilas in the world, George Clooney's Casamigos, is being sued, accused of selling possibly fake tequila, to 'cut corners.' Casamigos and Don Julio, both owned by spirit company Diageo, face allegations in a federal suit of using spirits other than tequila in their bottles, while the brands market themselves as 100% agave. Tequila, which has to be exclusively made in the tequila region of Mexico from blue weber agave, can only be made of three ingredients: agave, water and yeast. As exclusively reported recently, tequila brands have been allowed to add 1% of additives like glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract and sugar-based syrups. While even the use of additives has been controversial because they're considered a short cut to the years-long process of crafting the Mexican drink, the filing out of New York, states that Casamigos and Don Julio sold 'adulterated' booze, possibly using cheap cane sugar instead of the 100% prized blue weber agave. Meanwhile, the products are labeled as 'luxury' and 'premium,' with each bottle costing between $50 and $150 a piece. 'Tequila manufacturing requires the cultivation, fermentation, and distillation of Blue Weber Agave, and because this type of agave takes five to ten years to mature for harvest, this 'creates ongoing tension in the industry, as well as the temptation to cut corners,"' the demand reads. A less pure vision of the alcohol - known as mixtos - can be sold, but they must be labeled as only having 51% agave and are much less expensive than tequila. Casamigos is the top celebrity-backed tequila in the world Chaim Mishulovin, Avi Pusatezri, a New Yorker mixologist, and restaurant called Sushi Tokyo are the plaintiffs seeking $5 million each in damages from Diageo. Casamigos, famously founded by George Clooney and Randy Gerber (married to super model Cindy Crawford), was sold to Diageo in a $1 billion deal. TEQUILA ADDITIVES Glycerin: Chemical creates a fuller mouthfeel. Its heavy, oily texture can mask poor distillation by coating the molecules within the tequila. Oak extract: Can be used to make tequila taste like it's been aged in an oak barrel for longer than it has. Caramel coloring: Often used to create consistency in the color and flavor of aged products, like reposado or añejo tequila, from batch to batch. Jarabes: Sugar-based syrups may include natural sweeteners like agave nectar or artificial ones, like aspartame or Splenda, to sweeten a product Source: Jay Baer However, Clooney, Gerber and even his super model wife are used to market the booze, with the Casamigos Jalepeno version marketed with the model's signature birth mark and lips. While its celebrity connections have helped propel Casamigos to being the fourth-best selling tequila in the world, it is often bashed by experts for its terrible quality. 'The issue with celebrity tequila out there is that they're using unripe agave, mass producing it, and pumping it fill of artificial sweeteners just to make a buck,' declared Texas tequila coach Fonseca Aquinaga on his Instagram account. The popularity of the brand means it has shortened the time it allows agave to mature and sweeten naturally in the earth so it can be pulled from the ground and turned into alcohol. Tequila experts say larger operations outsource their blanco Tequila, buying it from a no-name mass producer before adding chemicals to it to make it taste like what their customers are used to. Casamigos contains additives, as does Don Julio, although neither declare it on their packaging. Other alcohol experts have entire reels where they plead with customers to stop wasting their money on both brands being sued. 'One of my friends is thinking about getting Don Julio blanco for $50. What do you think? I think you should get better friends. There are better choices than Don Julio Blanco, like so many better choices,' tequilajaybaer says in the clip. The owner of both brands vows to fight the allegations in the lawsuit. 'These claims of adulteration are outrageous and categorically false; Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas are crafted from 100% Blue Weber Agave and are in full compliance with the official tequila standard,' Diageo said in a statement. 'We look forward to vigorously defending the quality and integrity of our Tequilas in court.' If this case goes to trial, it may be the first time a tequila maker has to actually prove what in their product. Right now, the only tequila regulator in Mexico is the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (CRT.) The private organization is made up of tequila makers, with executives from the most profitable and big tequila brands holding the most power. The CRT uses an honor system to regulate itself. 'There is a binder in every distillery where you write down if you put additives in the product or not. The CRT looks at the binder and signs off and moves on. They don't test or smell or anything,' tequila expert Grover Sanschagrin told Punch. The CRT, also known as the 'tequila cartel,' insiders tell do not like to be challenged. Sanschagrins' website, which claims to be the most extensive tequila database in the world, catologues all the additive-free tequila, which he tested in his Guadalajara home. Last year, his home was raided in the dead of night by Mexican federal authorities, according to Mexican media. Armed police, with a warrant that included a complaint by the CRT, claimed that the Sanschagrins were using their home as an 'adulterated tequila factory.' While no one was arrested, some bottles of tequila were seized. Despite the push-back, consumers are learning about additive-free tequila and demanding it. Big alcohol stores, like Total Wine, have now started to label tequila it sells as additive-free.
