El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila is produced at La Alteña Distillery in the Highlands of Jalisco — the same distillery founded by Don Felipe Camarena in 1937, now operated by his grandson Carlos Camarena, one of the most respected master distillers in the tequila category.
El Tesoro uses tahona crushing — a large volcanic stone wheel rolled over roasted agave piñas to extract juice — a labor-intensive traditional method that most commercial tequila producers abandoned decades ago in favor of mechanical shredders. The tahona process produces a more rustic, earthy, and complex base spirit than roller mill extraction, with more agave fiber character retained through fermentation.
The Extra Añejo is aged 4–5 years in American ex-bourbon oak barrels — well beyond the 3-year minimum for the Extra Añejo classification. The extended aging in American oak produces deep vanilla, caramel, and toasted almond integration alongside the roasted agave and dark fruit character that develops at this aging level. The result is one of the most respected Extra Añejo expressions from a Highlands tahona distillery.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Coffee, dark chocolate, roasted almond, and dried fruit with a warm agave backbone. The bourbon cask influence shows in the vanilla and caramel layering. Palate: Smooth and complex — roasted coffee and cocoa lead, followed by dry fruit, leather, and light oak. Subtle peppery agave spice at mid-palate. Finish: Long, warm, and peppery with lingering oak and chocolate.
Specs
Producer: El Tesoro / La Alteña Distillery, Arandas, Jalisco | Agave: 100% Blue Weber tahona-crushed | Aging: 4–5 years American ex-bourbon oak | ABV: 40% | Size: 750ml
Browse the full El Tesoro collection and all Extra Añejo tequila at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tahona crushing and why does it matter?
The tahona is a massive volcanic stone wheel rolled over roasted agave piñas to crush them and extract fermentable juice. Most modern tequila production uses mechanical roller mills, which are faster and extract more juice. Tahona crushing is slower, leaves more agave fiber in contact with the juice during fermentation, and produces a more earthy, rustic, and agave-forward base spirit. El Tesoro’s commitment to tahona production is one reason their tequila tastes more agave-expressive than most commercial extra añejos.
How does El Tesoro Extra Añejo compare to El Tesoro Paradiso?
Both are aged extra añejo expressions from La Alteña Distillery. The Extra Añejo is aged in American ex-bourbon barrels, producing vanilla, caramel, and chocolate notes. The Paradiso is aged in French ex-Cognac barrels for 5 years, producing a distinctly different earthy, mineral, brandy-adjacent profile. Both are tahona-produced; the barrel type is the primary flavor differentiator.
