Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Many celebrities have been getting into the tequila game recently, but tequila aficionados look at these products negatively.
Fortunately, celebrity-owned tequilas were still a new concept when George Clooney launched Casamigos.
In this Casamigos Añejo review, we’ll see why this tequila brand made Clooney the highest-paid actor in 2018, even without a film appearance.
Is Casamigos Añejo Tequila Worth It?
Yes, a bottle of Casamigos Anejo Tequila is worth buying despite being priced at around $65 in Drizly. It is a flavorful and complex aged tequila that falls into the sweeter side.
“Even though Brits aren’t known as tequila drinkers, a lot of whisky drinkers and vodka drinkers have switched to drinking Casamigos.”
– Rande Gerber, Co-founder of Casamigos Tequila
You can have his excellent tequila on the rocks or cocktails. But it is best to sip it neat to enjoy the high price of the liquor.
Quick Facts
| NOM | 1609 |
| Distillery | Diageo México Operaciones, SA De CV |
| Classification & Region | Añejo Tequila/Jalisco, Mexico |
| Alcohol Proof | 80 proof |
| Mash Bill | 100% Blue Weber Agaves |
| Age Statement | 14 months |
| Still Type | Stainless steel pot still |
| Color | Rich caramel |
| Rating | 4-star rating |
| Average Price | Around $65 (Drizly) |
What’s Casamigos Añejo Tequila?
In 2013, George Clooney and his two friends launched the Casamigos Tequila [1]. For the next four years, this tequila brand rapidly grew in sales until Diageo acquired the company in 2017 for around $1 billion.
What started as an accident and hobby set the trend of celebrity-owned tequilas in motion.
Casamigos Añejo has a unique flavor resulting from the painstakingly extra-slow fermentation process.
The agave piñas are also roasted in a slow cooking process using traditional brick ovens.
Casamigos Añejo Tequila Tasting Notes
Nose
Casamigos Añejo has a sweet tequila aroma that is not harsh on the senses. It smells more like a young whiskey as we continue smelling the liquor.
The vanilla and caramel notes are strong, with cinnamon and black pepper hints.
The smell of used bourbon oak barrels is also evident but not overwhelming, and the aromas are well-balanced.
Palate
This tequila has a gentle and smooth mouthfeel without the alcohol sting you often have with other distilled spirits. The taste is rich in butterscotch, but the vanilla is less intense on the palate than on the nose.
The white pepper spice note builds up midpalate but won’t get too spicy. We also notice subtle hints of chocolate and wood.
Finish
The drink develops a distinct caramel taste over time, finishing with a good hit of menthol notes and peppery spices.
It is a short to medium finish and is pleasantly warm with touches of smoke and slight bitterness.
Our Thoughts
First Sip
The first sip gives us a surprisingly smooth mouthfeel and vanilla sweetness.
Of course, our team has already tasted this tequila before this review, but it always impresses us with its smoothness compared to other tequilas in the market.
It has that short finish with almost no lingering burn, making this tequila a good choice for newbies.
Second Chance
After a few minutes of exposing Casamigos Añejo to air gives us the impression of a lightly aged whiskey.
This tequila has aged longer than Casamigos Blanco and Reposado, giving it enough time to develop complexity with used bourbon oak barrels.
It might also be why the agave flavor is not that prominent in this tequila.
Why We Like It
- It is a nice sipper because of its smoothness and little burn on the palate.
- This tequila is a good choice for people who are used to drinking whiskey as it resembles it more than a standard tequila.
- Our team regards it as the best tequila among the Casamigos expressions because it has more depth and complexity.
Drawbacks
- The finish is a little dry, and the tequila lacks lemon citrus and herbal flavors. Although it is not a bad thing, it is still a little different than most tequilas.
- The tequila is overpriced, with better and cheaper alternatives.
How It’s Served
Cocktails
Most añejo tequilas are meant for many classic cocktails because they balance out the taste of other ingredients.
For instance, its soft caramel and vanilla notes bend the bright and citrus-forward flavor of a cocktail drink like a margarita, turning it into more like a whiskey sour.
Shots
As mentioned, Casamigos Añejo resembles a lightly aged whiskey with barrel oak flavors and more depth than other tequila types.
And just like a typical whiskey, adding ice cubes to your glass shots would tone down the strong tastes of the spirit.
With ice, the tequila’s herbaceous flavor and lemon citrus note blend in with the caramel and vanilla flavors.
Sipped Neat
Our team still considered sipping the Casamigos Añejo neat as the best way to consume it.
It is an expensive bottle of tequila that we prefer to drink neat and enjoy its flavors without any mixers or having it toned down.
It is a sweeter tequila than most brands in the market.
Casamigos Añejo Tequila Rating
The founders of Casamigos aimed to create the smoothest and most natural-tasting tequila that drinkers would not need salt or lime to cover up [2].
Therefore, our team has given the Casamigos Añejo a 4-star or above-average rating.
It is smooth and great for special occasions, but slightly expensive.
To Get Or Forget?
Our team’s verdict is to get the Casamigos Añejo for special gatherings and occasions.
Getting this tequila to mix in cocktails during an ordinary party would be a waste of money.
For bottle alternatives, you can also try these tequila brands from Mexico:
- Don Julio 1942 Añejo (40%ABV)
- Arette Artesanal Suave Añejo (38% ABV)
- LALO Blanco Tequila (40% ABV)
- Cimarron Blanco Tequila (40% ABV)
FAQs
Is Casamigos Añejo tequila keto-friendly?
Yes, distilled spirits like Casamigos Añejo tequila are keto-friendly. But you should still consume moderately because it still contains 40% ABV.
Does Casamigos Añejo tequila contain additives?
Yes, it is reportedly claimed that Casamigos Añejo tequila contains additives. Additives not exceeding 1% are allowed when making tequila, which is enough to alter the taste of the spirit.
Final Say
There is no doubt that Casamigos Tequila is a good sipper, which is precisely what the founders are aiming for.
In just four years, this liquor started as a hobby between friends to become a billion-dollar tequila brand.
The brand has three expressions, but the Anejo Tequila is the only one that has aged for more than a year, making it resemble the taste of whiskey.
It is smooth and has a unique sweetness, but slightly expensive for a cocktail, so we prefer only to have this tequila for special gatherings.
References:
- https://www.businessinsider.com/george-clooney-tequila-brand-casamigos-started-by-accident-2017-6
- https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/best-tequila-994049/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
