Gran Centenario Anejo 375ML is a 100% Blue Weber agave tequila aged approximately 16 months in new American oak barrels, bottled at 40% ABV. This highland Jalisco añejo earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and scored 90 points from Tastings.com, establishing it as one of the more decorated tequilas in its price tier. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof) | Origin: Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico | Aged ~16 Months (Añejo) | Distillery: Ex-Hacienda Los Camichines Production & Heritage Gran Centenario is produced at Ex-Hacienda Los Camichines, situated in the highlands of Jalisco — a region prized for yielding sweeter, more fruit-forward agave. The brand's defining technique is the proprietary Selección Suave™ process, developed by founder Lázaro Gallardo, which involves hand-selecting and blending small batches of tequila from different barrels rather than bottling from a single source. For this añejo expression, newly rested tequilas are married with the smoothest aged reserves, then matured in new American oak for roughly 16 months to build layered complexity without excessive wood influence. Tasting Notes Aroma: Toasted oak and vanilla lead, followed by waves of caramel, roasted nuts, and a subtle dried-fruit sweetness. A faint chocolate undertone develops as the tequila opens in the glass. Taste: The entry is soft and slightly sweet, with cooked agave and cinnamon arriving first. At mid-palate, roasted agave deepens alongside toasted almonds, cloves, and a velvety ribbon of dark chocolate. The overall impression is rich yet balanced, never cloying. Finish: Medium-long with lingering warmth, closing on vanilla, toasted oak, and a gentle spice. The finish stays smooth and clean, a hallmark of the Selección Suave blending approach. How to Drink Gran Centenario Anejo Sipping neat at room temperature is the most rewarding way to appreciate the oak and caramel complexity; a single large ice cube opens the aromatics without diluting the body. For cocktails, three stand out: an Añejo Old Fashioned, where the chocolate and vanilla notes pair naturally with agave syrup and orange bitters; a Tequila Manhattan, in which the oak-aged depth substitutes convincingly for bourbon; and a Mexican Coffee, where the cinnamon and dark chocolate tasting notes complement hot espresso and a touch of cream. Best For Introducing a bourbon drinker to aged tequila Splitting with a friend — the 375ml format keeps commitment low and quality high Building a tequila flight alongside a blanco and reposado Gifting a tequila enthusiast who values highland Jalisco character Frequently Asked Questions What does Gran Centenario Anejo taste like? It leads with cooked agave and caramel sweetness, moves through toasted almonds and cinnamon at mid-palate, and finishes with vanilla, dark chocolate, and warm oak spice. How does Gran Centenario Anejo compare to Cazadores Reposado? Cazadores Reposado spends less time in oak and tends toward lighter, more herbaceous agave flavors, while Gran Centenario Anejo's 16 months of aging and Selección Suave blending deliver noticeably richer caramel and chocolate depth. Both are highland Jalisco tequilas made from 100% Blue Weber agave, but the añejo classification gives Gran Centenario more barrel-driven complexity. Is Gran Centenario Anejo good for sipping neat? Yes — the 40% ABV and smooth, oak-rounded profile make it an approachable neat sipper, especially for drinkers transitioning from bourbon or brandy. Where is Gran Centenario Anejo made? It is distilled and aged at Ex-Hacienda Los Camichines in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, Mexico, a sub-region renowned for producing agave with higher sugar content and sweeter flavor profiles. What foods pair well with Gran Centenario Anejo? Slow-braised short ribs benefit from the tequila's oak and caramel richness; dark chocolate truffles echo the finish's cacao notes; aged Manchego cheese mirrors the nutty, toasty character; mole negro complements the clove and cinnamon spice; and pecan pie amplifies the toasted-nut and vanilla aromatics. What sizes does Gran Centenario Anejo come in? It is commonly available in a 375ml half-bottle and a standard 750ml bottle, making the 375ml size ideal for sampling before committing to a full bottle. Is Gran Centenario Anejo worth the price? Gran Centenario Anejo positions as a mid-range 100% agave añejo, and its Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 90-point Tastings.com score suggest it competes above its price tier in quality. Why Gran Centenario Anejo? The Selección Suave process is not merely marketing — it is a genuine blending methodology that distinguishes this añejo from single-barrel or bulk-blended competitors, yielding a consistency and smoothness that earned it a Double Gold at the 2019 SFWSC and a 90-point rating from Tastings.com. Sixteen months in new American oak puts it at the shorter end of the añejo spectrum, which preserves bright agave character rather than burying it under wood. The highland Jalisco terroir contributes naturally sweeter, more aromatic agave, and the 375ml format makes this particular bottling a low-risk way to explore that quality. For drinkers seeking oak complexity without losing the soul of the agave, this añejo strikes a well-documented balance.
