Grand Mayan Extra Aged 750ML is a 100% Blue Weber Agave extra añejo tequila bottled at 40% ABV after aging three to five years in dual-cask maturation. Rated 89 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression stands apart for its extended barrel time in both ex-bourbon and ex-cognac casks—a combination that produces unusual depth for the category—and arrives in a handcrafted, individually numbered ceramic decanter painted by artists in Mexico City. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Amatitán, Jalisco, Mexico | Extra Añejo (3–5 Years) | Distillery: Tequila Selecto de Amatitán (NOM 1459) Production & Heritage Grand Mayan Extra Aged is produced under NOM 1459 at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán, located in the heart of the Valley of Tequila in Jalisco. Central-highland Blue Weber Agave is slowly cooked in traditional stone and brick ovens, then slowly fermented before undergoing double distillation in copper-lined pot stills. The resulting distillate rests for a minimum of three years—and up to five—in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-cognac barrels, a dual-cask approach that layers butterscotch richness from American oak with dried-fruit complexity from French oak. Each ceramic bottle is hand-painted and individually numbered by local artisans in Mexico City, making the presentation as distinctive as the liquid inside. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with sweet roasted agave and candied nuts before deeper layers of cocoa, brown sugar, and clove emerge. A subtle herbal edge of jalapeño and coriander adds unexpected complexity as the glass warms. Taste: The palate entry is oak-forward and immediately rich, with dark chocolate and caramel arriving together on the mid-palate. Toasted almonds and dried fruit broaden the texture, while browned butter and sarsaparilla develop toward the peak. The mouthfeel is notably velvety, a hallmark of extended barrel aging on a well-made agave spirit. Finish: Long and warming, with lingering wood, dark chocolate, and cracked black pepper that persist well after the last sip. A faint sweetness of brown sugar and roasted agave anchors the conclusion. How to Drink Grand Mayan Extra Aged This extra añejo is best appreciated neat in a wide-mouthed snifter at room temperature; a few drops of water can open the cocoa and dried-fruit notes further. Its oak-rich, chocolatey profile also holds up well in spirit-forward cocktails. An Añejo Old Fashioned benefits from the tequila's caramel and dark chocolate backbone. A Tequila Manhattan works because the cognac-cask influence bridges naturally with sweet vermouth. A Café con Tequila—a short pour with espresso and a dash of cinnamon—plays directly to the roasted, nutty character of the spirit. Best For Gifting a tequila enthusiast who values collectible, artisan-decorated bottles After-dinner sipping alongside a dessert course Side-by-side tastings comparing extra añejo expressions from the Valley of Tequila Adding a showpiece to a home agave spirits collection Frequently Asked Questions What does Grand Mayan Extra Aged taste like? It leads with bold oak and dark chocolate, followed by caramel, toasted almonds, and dried fruit, finishing with lingering wood and black pepper. The dual-cask aging in ex-bourbon and ex-cognac barrels gives it a velvety, dessert-like richness uncommon in many extra añejos. How does Grand Mayan Extra Aged compare to Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Añejo? Both are produced under NOM 1459 at the same Amatitán distillery, but Grand Mayan Extra Aged emphasizes dual-cask complexity from ex-bourbon and ex-cognac barrels, while Casa Noble Single Barrel highlights the character of a single selected barrel. Grand Mayan generally positions at a significantly lower price point than the Casa Noble five-year expression despite comparable aging ranges. Is Grand Mayan Extra Aged good for sipping neat? Yes—its extended aging of three to five years produces a smooth, layered profile with enough complexity to reward slow, contemplative sipping. The velvety texture and long chocolate-and-oak finish make it particularly well suited to drinking without mixers. Where is Grand Mayan Extra Aged made? It is produced at Tequila Selecto de Amatitán (NOM 1459), located in Amatitán in the Valley of Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. The agave is sourced from the central highlands of Jalisco, while the hand-painted ceramic decanters are crafted by artisans in Mexico City. What foods pair well with Grand Mayan Extra Aged? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and caramel notes directly. Mole negro mirrors the spirit's brown-sugar-and-spice complexity. Aged Manchego or Gouda cheeses match the nutty, buttery character. Grilled stone fruit with cinnamon echoes the dried-fruit and warm-spice elements. Cajeta flan amplifies the caramel and browned-butter qualities in the finish. What sizes does Grand Mayan Extra Aged come in? The standard offering is a 750ml hand-painted ceramic decanter, which is the most widely available format for this expression. Is Grand Mayan Extra Aged worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium extra añejo that delivers three-to-five-year aging and dual-cask maturation at a price well below several comparable expressions from the same NOM, making it strong value within its tier. Why Grand Mayan Extra Aged? The dual-cask maturation in ex-bourbon and ex-cognac barrels is the defining production choice here—it creates a layered interplay of caramel sweetness and dried-fruit depth that single-barrel-type extra añejos rarely achieve. The 89-point rating from Wine Enthusiast confirms that the liquid inside the bottle delivers genuine quality, not just visual appeal. Sharing a distillery (NOM 1459) with a well-regarded producer like Casa Noble while coming in at a considerably lower price point gives it an uncommon value position in the extra añejo category. The hand-numbered, artist-painted ceramic decanter turns each bottle into a one-of-a-kind object—functional as a display piece long after the tequila is gone.
