Avion Anejo 750ML is a 100% blue Weber agave tequila aged two years in American oak, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). This highland Jalisco añejo earned a Spirit Gold medal at the 2021 International Wine & Spirit Competition and an 88-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, distinguishing it as a serious contender in the premium añejo category.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico | Aged 2 Years in American Oak | Distillery: NOM 1416, Jesús MaríaProduction & HeritageAvion Anejo is produced at NOM 1416 in Jesús María, situated in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco — a region prized for yielding sweeter, fruitier agave. The distillery slow-roasts blue Weber agave in traditional hornitos (large clay ovens) before distilling in copper pot stills, a method that preserves more of the agave's natural character compared to stainless steel column distillation. The añejo is then aged for a full two years in American oak barrels — double the minimum one-year legal requirement for the añejo classification. What truly separates Avion from competitors is its ultra-slow charcoal filtration process, which takes roughly ten times longer than standard filtration techniques. The distillery also takes a notably inefficient approach to distillation, cutting a large proportion of the heads and tails, which requires up to 30% more agave per liter of finished spirit but results in a remarkably clean distillate.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with warm cooked agave and peach, giving way to persimmon, gentle wood smoke, and fresh earth. A subtle layer of baking spice and vanilla emerges as the tequila opens in the glass.Taste: The entry is sweet and full-bodied, with rich vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak arriving immediately on the palate. Mid-palate brings deeper notes of leather, pipe tobacco, and a mild peppery warmth alongside cinnamon. The profile transitions from sweet to dry, revealing maple and coconut before a vegetal agave backbone reasserts itself.Finish: Exceptionally smooth and slick, with lingering oak, cooked agave, and a subtle citrus note reminiscent of lemon squares. The dryness builds gradually, leaving a clean, peppery warmth that fades slowly.How to Drink Avion AnejoGiven its two years of oak aging and layered complexity, Avion Anejo is best appreciated neat or with a single ice cube that opens up the vanilla and maple tones as it dilutes. It also brings depth and character to several cocktails: Añejo Old Fashioned: The caramel and oak character stands up beautifully to bitters and orange peel, creating a richer alternative to the bourbon classic. Tequila Manhattan: The pipe tobacco and leather notes complement sweet vermouth without being overwhelmed by it. Oaxacan Dead Revival: Pairing Avion Anejo with mezcal and dry curaçao plays into its natural smoky, vegetal qualities noted by Wine Enthusiast. Best For Sipping after dinner as a dessert-course alternative alongside dark chocolate or flan Gifting a tequila enthusiast looking to explore premium highland añejos Building a tequila flight comparing highland versus lowland aged expressions Hosting a cocktail evening centered on barrel-aged spirit variations Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Avion Anejo taste like? Avion Anejo delivers a rich, full-bodied profile dominated by vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, with underlying notes of maple, coconut, and mild pepper. The palate starts sweet and finishes dry with a smooth, clean texture and lingering cooked agave.How does Avion Anejo compare to Don Julio 1942? Both are premium highland Jalisco tequilas prized for smoothness, but Don Julio 1942 is classified as an extra añejo (aged a minimum of two and a half years) and typically commands a significantly higher price point. Avion Anejo, aged two years with its ultra-slow filtration process, delivers comparable smoothness at a more accessible price tier, making it a frequent comparison among tequila drinkers seeking value in the aged category.Is Avion Anejo good for sipping neat? Yes — the two-year aging and ultra-slow charcoal filtration produce an exceptionally smooth spirit that rewards neat drinking. Its layered vanilla, oak, and agave character unfold gradually without harsh alcohol burn at 40% ABV.Where is Avion Anejo made? Avion Anejo is produced at NOM 1416 in Jesús María, located in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, Mexico. The highlands region is known for its red clay soils and higher elevation, which yield agave with naturally sweeter, fruitier characteristics.What foods pair well with Avion Anejo? Dark chocolate and mole dishes complement the caramel and toasted oak notes. Grilled pork or carnitas work well with the smoky, peppery undertones. Aged hard cheeses like Manchego echo the richness and nuttiness of the oak aging. Pecan pie or flan mirror the maple and vanilla sweetness. Ceviche with mango salsa bridges the agave's natural fruit character.What sizes does Avion Anejo come in? Avion Anejo is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle size.Is Avion Anejo worth the price? Avion Anejo positions as a mid-premium añejo tequila, sitting above entry-level aged options but well below ultra-premium expressions like Don Julio 1942. The two-year aging (double the legal minimum), copper pot still distillation, and labor-intensive ultra-slow filtration represent genuine production investments that justify its price tier within the añejo category.Why Avion Anejo?The defining edge of Avion Anejo lies in its deliberately inefficient production philosophy. Requiring up to 30% more raw agave per liter than standard producers — combined with copper pot still distillation, traditional clay oven roasting, and a charcoal filtration process that takes ten times longer than industry norms — the result is a notably clean, smooth añejo with genuine complexity. The 2021 IWSC Spirit Gold medal and Wine Enthusiast's 88-point score validate what the production method promises: a two-year-aged highland tequila that delivers richness without roughness. For drinkers who value what happens before the liquid enters the barrel as much as what happens inside it, Avion Anejo represents a compelling intersection of craft and value in the premium añejo space.
