DeLeon Anejo Tequila 750ML is a 40% ABV highland añejo made from 100% Blue Weber agave and finished in Premier Cru French Sauternes casks. Produced at Destileria Morales in Arandas, Jalisco, this expression is recognized as the first tequila in the world aged in Premier Cru Sauternes barrels — a distinction that sets it apart from virtually every other añejo on the market. It earned 86 points from Tastings.com in May 2023.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof) | Origin: Los Altos (Highlands), Jalisco, Mexico | Añejo | Distillery: Destileria MoralesProduction & HeritageDestileria Morales sits in Arandas, at the heart of the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, where elevated terrain and iron-rich red clay soil produce agave with higher sugar content and sweeter flavor profiles. The distillery double-distills 100% Highland Blue Weber agave and selects only the corazón — the heart cut — for DeLeon expressions, discarding the heads and tails. The añejo then undergoes a dual-barrel maturation: it rests first in bold American oak barrels before finishing in delicate French oak wine casks that previously held Premier Cru Sauternes, introducing layers of dried fruit sweetness and refined tannin structure that distinguish it from single-barrel aged competitors.Tasting NotesAroma: Rich resinous oak arrives first, giving way to gentle vanilla, a thread of butterscotch, and a subtle caramelized agave sweetness underneath. There is a quiet dried-fruit quality — almost raisin-like — that hints at the Sauternes cask influence.Taste: The entry is robust and full-bodied, leading with toasted almond and light caramelized agave. At mid-palate, cocoa undertones and black cherry emerge, supported by mild wood spice. The Sauternes finish contributes a silky richness that rounds out the oak tannins and prevents any dryness from dominating.Finish: A sweet, full-bodied vanilla note lingers with a distinct raisin accent and a whisper of butterscotch. The finish is medium-long, smooth in texture, and leaves a clean agave impression that draws you back for the next sip.How to Drink DeLeon AnejoThe Sauternes cask complexity rewards slow sipping neat or with a single large ice cube, which opens the butterscotch and dried-fruit layers as dilution increases. For cocktails, the dual-barrel character adapts well: Añejo Old Fashioned — The toasted almond and cocoa notes pair naturally with Angostura bitters and orange peel, creating depth without competing sweetness. Tequila Manhattan — The Sauternes-derived dried fruit mirrors the vermouth's sweetness, producing a well-integrated drink. Oaxacan Dead Revival — Sub DeLeon Anejo for the aged tequila base; its vanilla and oak backbone holds up against mezcal smoke and dry curaçao. Best For Gifting a tequila enthusiast who already owns the mainstream labels Side-by-side añejo tastings exploring single-barrel versus dual-barrel maturation After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or dessert Building a premium home bar with distinctive production stories Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does DeLeon Anejo taste like? DeLeon Anejo delivers a robust, full-bodied profile dominated by toasted almond, caramelized agave, cocoa, and black cherry, with a sweet vanilla-and-raisin finish courtesy of its Sauternes cask maturation.How does DeLeon Anejo compare to Don Julio 1942? Don Julio 1942 is an extra añejo with a longer aging period and a notably sweeter, more caramel-forward profile, while DeLeon Anejo leans into dried fruit and oak complexity from its dual-barrel process. DeLeon typically sits at a lower price tier, making it a compelling alternative for drinkers who want layered oak character without the extra añejo premium.Is DeLeon Anejo good for sipping neat? Yes — its 40% ABV makes it approachable, and the Sauternes cask finish adds enough complexity to keep the palate engaged across multiple sips without requiring dilution.Where is DeLeon Anejo made? DeLeon Anejo is produced at Destileria Morales in Arandas, located in the Los Altos (Highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico, an area renowned for producing sweeter, fruit-forward agave.What foods pair well with DeLeon Anejo? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and vanilla notes. Grilled stone fruit like peaches echoes the Sauternes-derived dried fruit. Aged Manchego or Gouda matches the toasted oak. Mole-braised short ribs mirror the spice and almond complexity. Crème brûlée aligns with the butterscotch and caramelized agave character.What sizes does DeLeon Anejo come in? The standard widely available size is the 750ml bottle.Is DeLeon Anejo worth the price? DeLeon Anejo positions as a premium añejo that punches above typical single-barrel expressions thanks to its unique Sauternes cask finish, offering a production pedigree — and a flavor profile — that competes with bottles priced considerably higher in the category.Why DeLeon Anejo?The defining fact is the dual-barrel maturation: American oak followed by Premier Cru Sauternes French oak, a process DeLeon claims as a world first in tequila. That Sauternes influence is not a marketing footnote — it shows up clearly in the dried fruit, raisin, and honeyed sweetness threaded through the finish. With 86 points from Tastings.com and a production process that insists on only the heart-cut distillate, DeLeon Anejo delivers a genuinely differentiated añejo experience. For drinkers who have worked through the standard highland añejos and want something with a verifiable twist in barrel technique, this bottle earns serious consideration.
