Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia

The original extra anejo from the world’s oldest surviving tequila distillery. Reserva de la Familia tequila is a smooth, easy drinking delight and aged to the deepest colour of amber.

What makes Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia special?

Until 1995 the existence of this tequila was a secret. Only produced in small batches there was only enough to be reserved for family and friends. Even now, Jose Cuervo give little away on how it is made.

Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia is made with the choicest blue agave plants and comprises a blend of different tequilas; one aged in French oak barrels, one in American oak for a minimum of three years and then lastly mixed with an even older tequila.

Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia review

Nose

The aroma has a mild sweetness (unlike the taste) with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and some oak

Taste

A strong initial sweetness, with notes of vanilla, caramel, cherry. There are also some whiskey notes from the oak and a little agave.

Aftertaste

Medium long finish with oak and cinnamon. A light alcohol bite lingers.

Appearance

A regal looking bottle, hand sealed with wax and contained in a wooden gift box. Each year the box is decorated by a different Mexican artist.

Size

Each bottle is 70cl in size.

Origin

Jose Cuervo has been distilling Blue Agave in the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, since 1795. This makes their distillery La Rojena, the oldest surviving tequila distillery in Mexico.

How to enjoy Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia

To stand up to the heavy body flavour of the Jose Cuervo Reserva any accompanying food needs to be strong in flavour too. A steak could be overpowered, but if marinated with herbs or spices or when accompanied with a sauce then it is a fine match for this extra anejo.

Cocktail idea - Reserva Tequila Manhattan

The Manhattan traditionally mixes a Bourbon and sweet vermouth. The whiskey notes in the Jose Cuervo extra anejo are a fine substitute for the bourbon. Mix two parts tequila to one-part sweet vermouth in ice and stir. Add three dashes of angostura bitters. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

• 50ml Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia tequila
• 25ml Sweet vermouth
• 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Garnish with maraschino cherries