Santaleza Añejo is a tahona-milled, additive-free añejo tequila from the Highlands of Jalisco, rested a minimum of 16 months in first-fill American bourbon barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.
Santaleza is produced by the Lopez-Villareal family at Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604) in Los Altos de Jalisco, whose rich, red, mineral-filled soil gives the agave the best nutrients and climate for optimal development. The 100% blue Weber agave is slow-cooked in traditional masonry ovens for 72 hours.
The cooked agave is crushed by a 135-year-old tahona stone wheel, pulled by a mechanical donkey nicknamed Pepe, a nod to heritage that yields a fibre-rich, agave-forward extraction distinct from modern roller mills. The juice ferments naturally in wooden vats with mountain spring water, honouring the original production process handed down by the family's ancestors.
The long rest in bourbon barrels builds an agave-forward añejo with oak depth, a fine gift for lovers of traditional tequila.
Sip it neat or over a large ice cube.
Añejo tequila is aged between one and three years in oak barrels of no more than 600 litres, long enough to add colour, sweetness and spice while keeping the character of the agave, which makes it a natural sipping tequila.
Tequila can only be made from blue Weber agave in five designated Mexican states, chiefly Jalisco, and the finest bottlings are made from 100% agave. Sipping tequila is best enjoyed from a narrow-rimmed glass that concentrates the aromas, at room temperature and without salt or lime, so the character of the agave and the barrel can come through.
Tasting Notes
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Process: Masonry ovens, 135-year-old tahona.
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Ageing: 16+ months in first-fill bourbon barrels.
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Character: Agave-forward with oak depth.
Specifications
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Producer: Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604), Lopez-Villareal family
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Style: Tequila Añejo, tahona, additive-free
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Agave: 100% blue Weber agave, Highlands
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Age: Minimum 16 months
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Cask / Finish: First-fill American bourbon barrels
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Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
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Region: Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or over a large ice cube. It pairs with mole, roasted nuts or dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the agave crushed?
By a 135-year-old tahona stone wheel.
How long is it aged?
A minimum of 16 months in first-fill bourbon barrels.
Is it additive-free?
Yes.
Explore more in our Tequila collection.
