Inspiro Tequila adds añejo expression

The limited edition añejo from woman-owned Inspiro Tequila has been aged in two types of wine barrels.

Inspiro Tequila, founded by former Chicago attorney Mara Smith, has introduced its Special Reserve Añejo, which was aged for four months in French oak casks that previously held rosé wine and then for 15 months in Pinot Noir barrels. The special release comes after the brand was developing its Rosa Reposado Tequila, which is aged in ex-rosé barrels and was released in May 2022. “We had also experimented for a time with finishing that Tequila in Pinot Noir barrels," Smith said. “Though we ultimately decided not to continue to use those pinot noir barrels for our Rosa Reposado, the Tequila in those casks continued to age, and when we tasted it recently, we realised we had something truly special.” Special Reserve Añejo is bottled at 44% ABV and priced at US$130. It is made from 100% Blue Weber agave and is additive free. “We only had a small number of barrels, yielding a very limited quantity of bottles,” Smith said. “So we are ecstatic to share this unique expression just in time for the holiday season.” Inspiro’s taste profiles are created by maestra tequilera Ana María Romero Mena, who also works on Mijenta Tequila, a brand founded by former Bacardi CEO Mike Dolan.