You’re standing in front of the shelf and there it is; extra añejo tequila. It’s in a heavier bottle, the price tag is… a situation, and the label is saying words like “double aged” and “ultra-premium” in fonts that feel like they were designed in a wine cellar.
And now you’re wondering:
What is extra añejo tequila?
Why is it twice the price of everything else?
Am I about to drink something actually special or just overpriced wood-flavored nonsense?
Let’s break it down.
Extra añejo tequila explained so it actually makes sense
Extra añejo means it’s been aged in oak barrels for over three years. Minimum. That’s longer than any other tequila category. And in barrel time, that’s serious. It picks up oak, warmth, body, color… and if it’s good, a kind of soft richness that blanco and reposado can’t touch.
It’s like if blanco grew up, got a library card, and started pairing tequila with playlists.
Psst. Curious about different types of tequila? Read here.
This is a sipping tequila. Period.
If you’re looking for a tequila to do shots after shots at a rager, walk away and choose a blanco instead. Your wallet will thank you.
Treat extra añejo the way you would treat whiskey or bourbon. You make time for it, you set the mood for it, you pour yourself a glass, and you sip this slowly while you mull over life. You get the vibes?
Psst. Looking for a great sipping tequila that won’t break the bank? Click here.
It’ll look different, too
If you’re used to clear tequila (blanco) or a light orange (reposado) then this is going to be a little surprise for you. Extra añejo tequila is deeper in color, usually amber and sometimes even darker. It looks and smells fuller too. If you’re paying attention, you’ll pick up on oak, cinnamon, vanilla, and even roasted fruit depending on what went on behind the scenes.
The best extra añejo tequila will not taste like sugar, or syrup, or caramel flavoring, or wood. It will taste like time itself.
Can you imagine that?
So… is older always better?
Funny thing to ask right after I sold you on extra añejo tequila… right?
But seriously, people tend to choose extra añejo because of its inherent premium feel. After all, who wouldn’t want to sip a tequila that spent 3 years soaking in that oaky goodness?
And that’s exactly the caveat, the extra long aging period can be a double edged sword. If you’re starting with high quality agave and a stellar process, then that extra time is only going to make it better.
But if you’re starting with terrible bones and hoping and praying to the tequila gods to let the oak mask all of your bad decisions away? It won’t cut it and you’ll find yourself having wasted $300 on oak juice with a kick.
A good extra añejo should still taste like its roots, the agave.
Here’s how to buy the best extra añejo tequila
Next time you’re in the liquor aisle and starting to spiral, here’s what to look for so you don’t walk out with regret in a fancy bottle.
- 100% Blue Weber agave (non-negotiable)
- Additive-free (no fake vanilla, no glycerin, no weird “smoothness” that tastes like cake)
- A brand that actually tells you how it’s made (if they’re vague, there’s usually a reason)
- Small batch and single estate brands if you can, it usually means more care and less cut corners.
Also: don’t get tricked by the bottle. Some of the loudest designs have nothing worth sipping inside.
When to pour it
Do not pour it when the party is just starting and you’ve got six people asking for margaritas (and do not put it in a margarita!)
Pour extra añejo when the room’s calmed down, something warm’s playing in the background, low enough that no one’s talking over it, and you’re sitting with people you like talking to. That’s all that extra añejo demands from you: time, attention, and a nice glass to sip it slow.
Celosa isn’t extra añejo… but it still sips like one
If you like sipping spirits; if you care about balance, clarity, and what the agave actually tastes like, you don’t have to wait three years for it.
Celosa is a joven, rested just long enough in French oak red wine barrels to add softness without losing the agave. It’s clean, warm, and honestly? It does what a lot of extra añejos try to do… just with less time and more intention.
So if you’re looking for something that drinks smooth but still feels fresh, give Celosa Pink Tequila a pour. It’s not trying to be anything else. And that’s what makes it great.
Shop online or find a distributor near you.
