818 Tequila Añejo Reserva

Overview

818 Añejo Reserva is the top of the 818 range and the most serious expression the brand makes. Aged for a minimum of three years in American whiskey barrels, it qualifies as an extra añejo, a category that demands patience and delivers richness that standard añejos simply can't match. Deep, complex, and smooth in a way that takes time to build, this is a bottle for sipping slowly and without distraction.

The extended time in ex-bourbon casks pushes the vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate character well beyond what the standard 818 Añejo achieves, while the agave still holds its ground underneath. It's the kind of aged tequila that earns comparisons to premium whisky without trying to be whisky, and that's the mark of something done well.

The Distillery

Produced in Jalisco, Mexico using 100% Blue Weber agave. Three-plus years in American whiskey barrels is a real commitment, most producers don't go this far, and the ones that do charge accordingly. 818 has priced the Reserva competitively for the age statement and barrel choice, which makes it one of the better value extra añejos available.

The Añejo Reserva builds on the same foundation as the rest of the 818 range but takes the barrel aging to its logical conclusion. At this age, the spirit has had time to fully integrate the oak influence, smooth out any roughness, and develop a complexity that shorter aging simply can't produce.

Why We Recommend It

At Bourbon Brothers, we recommend 818 Añejo Reserva for customers who want:

• The best aged expression in the 818 lineup, proper extra añejo territory
• Three-plus years in American whiskey barrels for deep, complex flavour
• A premium sipping tequila that holds its own against bottles at higher price points
• A standout gift or special occasion bottle with a name people recognise

It's also one of the most accessible entry points into extra añejo tequila for someone who's been drinking standard añejos and wants to understand what more time in barrel actually does. The difference is clear and worth experiencing.

Production & Craftsmanship

Three years in ex-bourbon casks is enough time to develop real depth. The residual bourbon character in the barrels, vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, light spice, has had three full years to work its way through the spirit, and the result is a tequila with a richness and texture that rewards slow sipping. This is what extra añejo is supposed to taste like.

Tasting Notes

What Makes This Tequila Special

How to Enjoy

Neat, full stop. Maybe a single large ice cube if you want to open it up slightly. This is not a cocktail tequila, three years in barrel deserves better than a shaker. Pour it, sit with it, and take your time. If you want to make a cocktail with it, a very simple Tequila Old Fashioned is about as far as it should go. Don't rush it.

Product Details