Dos Armadillos Anejo 750ML is a 100% blue agave tequila from Jalisco, Mexico, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) after 18 months of oak aging. This expression earned a Double Gold medal and a Best in Show Añejo finalist nod at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — one of the industry's most rigorous blind-tasting panels. Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 Proof) | Origin: Jalisco, Mexico | Aged 18 Months | Distillery: Dos Armadillos Production & Heritage Dos Armadillos sources 100% blue Weber agave that has matured in the fields for approximately eight years before harvest — significantly longer than the five-to-seven-year window many producers use. That extended growing period allows the piñas to develop deeper sugar concentration and more nuanced flavor compounds. After roasting and extraction, the agave juice undergoes double distillation, and the resulting blanco spirit is then rested in oak barrels for a full 18 months to reach its añejo designation. The combination of long-matured agave and controlled barrel aging gives the final liquid a layered character that balances cooked agave sweetness against oak-driven structure. Tasting Notes Aroma: Roasted agave leads the nose, followed by warm caramel and vanilla. Deeper inhalation reveals toasted oak, dried fruit, and a faint ribbon of banana and orange peel. Taste: The entry is surprisingly herbaceous — grassy and gently peppery — before the mid-palate shifts toward buttery vanilla and toffee. Dark chocolate and a measured oakiness emerge at the peak, while subtle cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest weave through the profile and add genuine complexity. Finish: Long and warming, with sweet oak and lingering spice that slowly fades into mild black pepper. A slight dryness at the very end keeps it balanced rather than cloying. How to Drink Dos Armadillos Anejo Sipping neat in a Riedel tequila glass or a wide-bowled snifter at room temperature lets the full spectrum of agave, oak, and spice come through. A single ice cube opens up the vanilla and caramel notes without drowning the herbaceous backbone. In cocktails, this añejo's depth makes it an excellent backbone for an Añejo Old Fashioned, where its toffee and cinnamon tones replace bourbon's corn sweetness with agave richness. A Tequila Manhattan benefits from its dark chocolate undertones and long oak finish. For something lighter, a Paloma Negra — a Paloma built with añejo instead of blanco — lets the barrel character play against grapefruit bitterness in an unexpected way. Best For Gifting a tequila enthusiast who appreciates barrel-aged expressions After-dinner sipping as a stand-alone digestif Side-by-side tastings comparing añejo tequilas with aged bourbons Hosting a guided tequila tasting from blanco through extra añejo Frequently Asked Questions What does Dos Armadillos Anejo taste like? It leads with herbaceous, peppery agave before transitioning into buttery vanilla, toffee, and dark chocolate, finishing long with warm oak and cinnamon spice. Judges at the 2023 SFWSC described it as smooth with hints of cinnamon spice and a long, sweet finish with lingering pepperiness. How does Dos Armadillos Anejo compare to Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia? Both are premium 100% blue agave añejos from Jalisco, but Dos Armadillos positions at a lower price tier while delivering comparable complexity — some reviewers have called it a more accessible alternative to Reserva de la Familia. Reserva de la Familia tends to lean heavier on dried fruit and deep oak, while Dos Armadillos retains more herbaceous agave character alongside its barrel influence. Is Dos Armadillos Anejo good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 40% ABV is approachable, and the 18 months of oak aging produce a smooth, layered profile that rewards slow, undiluted sipping. The Double Gold at SFWSC was awarded in a blind neat-tasting format, which speaks directly to its quality as a sipper. Where is Dos Armadillos Anejo made? It is produced in Jalisco, Mexico, the heartland of tequila production and home to the volcanic soils and highland-lowland agave terroir that define the category. What foods pair well with Dos Armadillos Anejo? Grilled carne asada works well because the charred meat echoes the tequila's oak and spice notes. Dark chocolate truffles complement its cocoa undertones. Aged Manchego cheese mirrors the caramel and nutty barrel character. Mole negro amplifies the expression's cinnamon and dried-fruit complexity. Caramelized plantains highlight its vanilla and toffee sweetness. What sizes does Dos Armadillos Anejo come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle. Is Dos Armadillos Anejo worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium añejo tequila, sitting below ultra-luxury bottlings but well above entry-level options. Its Double Gold medal and Best in Show finalist recognition at the 2023 SFWSC suggest it punches above its price tier in blind-tasting quality. Why Dos Armadillos Anejo? The eight-year agave maturation period is the clearest differentiator here — most producers harvest at five to seven years, and those extra seasons in the field translate directly into richer sugar content and more complex flavor precursors before distillation even begins. Pair that raw-material advantage with 18 months of oak aging and double distillation, and the result earned Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition along with a Platinum at the SIP Awards. For drinkers who want genuine añejo complexity built on high-quality agave rather than just heavy barrel influence, this Jalisco expression delivers a profile that stands up to bottles costing significantly more.
