Olmeca Altos Añejo Tequila 750ML is a 100% highland blue agave añejo tequila bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. Rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast and awarded Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, this expression stands out for its hybrid tahona-and-roller-mill production and extended 18-month barrel aging — six months beyond the category minimum.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof) | Origin: Arandas, Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico | Aged 18 Months | Distillery: Destilería Colonial de Jalisco (NOM-1111)Production & HeritageOlmeca Altos is produced at Destilería Colonial de Jalisco in Arandas, a highland town in the Los Altos region of Jalisco, under the Pernod Ricard Mexico portfolio. The brand was co-created with renowned bartenders Henry Besant and Dre Masso, who sought a tequila with genuine artisanal character at an accessible price point. Production uses a distinctive split process: half of the 100% blue Weber agave piñas are shredded and extracted by a modern roller mill, while the other half is slowly crushed under a traditional two-ton tahona stone — a 500-year-old technique that pulls deeper, more complex flavors from the agave fibers. The resulting juice is blended, fermented, and double-distilled before maturing for a full 18 months in 53-gallon ex-bourbon American oak casks, well beyond the 12-month legal minimum for añejo classification.Tasting NotesAroma: Roasted agave leads, followed by rich caramel and a distinct crack of black pepper. Beneath those primary notes sit softer layers of vanilla, dried fruit, and a subtle herbal earthiness.Taste: The entry is creamy and immediately coats the palate with caramel and almond-cookie sweetness. Mid-palate, a pronounced black pepper spice emerges alongside charred wood and dark chocolate. As the flavors develop, fresh grasses, stewed vegetable notes, and a hint of wet herbs add savory complexity that balances the sweetness.Finish: Long and very warm, driven by lingering peppery spice and damp herbal notes. The caramel and oak tannins slowly fade, leaving a clean agave signature that reminds you this is still a highland tequila at its core.How to Drink Altos AñejoSipping neat at room temperature is the best way to appreciate the full spectrum of roasted agave, caramel, and pepper. A single large ice cube can open up the chocolate and vanilla tones for those who prefer a slightly chilled pour. Beyond neat sipping, Altos Añejo works well in spirit-forward cocktails: an Añejo Old Fashioned, where the caramel depth pairs naturally with agave syrup and mole bitters; an Oaxaca Old Fashioned split with mezcal, letting the pepper and smoke play off each other; or a Tequila Manhattan, where the 18 months of oak aging gives the spirit enough structure to stand alongside sweet vermouth.Best For Introducing a bourbon drinker to aged tequila — the ex-bourbon cask influence provides familiar caramel and vanilla cues Building a home tequila flight from blanco through añejo within the Altos range Gifting a cocktail enthusiast who values bartender-endorsed spirits Slow sipping after a dinner of Mexican or Southwestern cuisine Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Altos Añejo taste like? Altos Añejo delivers a creamy, full-bodied profile led by caramel, roasted agave, and cracked black pepper, supported by chocolate, vanilla, and charred oak. Fresh herbs and a vegetal undertone add savory balance through a long, warm finish.How does Altos Añejo compare to Patrón Añejo? Both expressions use a combination of tahona stone and roller mill extraction from 100% blue agave, but Altos Añejo ages for 18 months in ex-bourbon casks compared to Patrón Añejo's minimum 12-month aging in a mix of American and European oak. Altos Añejo tends to show more pronounced peppery spice and herbal character, while Patrón Añejo leans toward honey and dried fruit, and typically carries a significantly higher price tag.Is Altos Añejo good for sipping neat? Yes — the 18-month aging and tahona-crushed agave component produce enough complexity and body to reward unhurried neat sipping. Its 40% ABV keeps it approachable without requiring dilution.Where is Altos Añejo made? Altos Añejo is produced at Destilería Colonial de Jalisco (NOM-1111) in the town of Arandas, located in the Los Altos (highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico. The highland terroir, with its red clay soils and higher elevation, yields agave with higher sugar content and brighter, fruitier characteristics.What foods pair well with Altos Añejo? Dark mole dishes complement the chocolate and pepper notes; slow-smoked barbacoa echoes the charred-wood character; aged Manchego or Gouda cheeses mirror the caramel sweetness; dark chocolate truffles highlight the cacao finish; and grilled stone-fruit desserts bring out the dried-fruit undertones.What sizes does Altos Añejo come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format. A 375ml half-bottle and 1L format may be found in select markets.Is Altos Añejo worth the price? Altos Añejo positions firmly in the value-premium tier — offering tahona production and 18-month aging at a price point well below other tahona-method añejos like Fortaleza or Roca Patrón. With a 92-point rating from Wine Enthusiast and multiple international gold medals, it consistently over-delivers relative to its price bracket.Why Altos Añejo?The defining feature of Altos Añejo is its hybrid extraction: half tahona, half roller mill. This dual process captures both the rich, oily complexity of tahona-crushed agave and the clean, bright sweetness of roller-milled juice — a production choice usually reserved for bottles at two or three times the cost. An 18-month rest in ex-bourbon oak adds a layer of barrel character that most añejos in this price range simply do not achieve. Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge, along with a 92-point Wine Enthusiast score, confirm that this is not just a budget play but a genuinely well-made tequila that competes above its weight class.
