Chinaco Anejo Ultra Cristalino Tequila
Chinaco Anejo Ultra Cristalino Tequila is an 80 proof (40% ABV), 750mL crystal-clear añejo — fully matured Chinaco añejo, aged two and a half to three years, then filtered through activated charcoal to a soft, clear spirit that keeps the complexity of the aged tequila without the color. From Tequilera La Gonzaleña (NOM 1127) in Tamaulipas — the only tequila distillery in the state — double-distilled in copper-lined alembic stills with no caramel coloring, oak extract, glycerin, or added sugar. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Aging: 2.5–3 years, then charcoal-filtered (cristalino)
- Agave: 100% Blue Weber, Tamaulipas
- Distillery: Tequilera La Gonzaleña, NOM 1127
- Additives: none — no caramel color, oak extract, glycerin, or sugar
Tamaulipas' Clear-Aged Tequila
Chinaco's story starts in 1856, when General Gonzalez acquired land in Tamaulipas — and in the 1980s it became the first premium tequila sold in the United States, changing the history of tequila in America. The Ultra Cristalino is the house's cleverest trick: take a fully matured añejo — ripe agave hearts roasted in autoclave, pressed in an old molino, fermented 72 hours with the house's signature natural yeast, double-distilled in copper-lined stills, aged two and a half to three years — then filter it crystal clear through activated charcoal. What remains is the softness and depth of an añejo with the brightness of a blanco: the añejo's complex flavors, unmuted. Don't let the clear color fool you into thinking it's unaged. Browse more premium tequila and explore the Chinaco collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Soft and clean, with cooked agave and light oak sweetness (brand/retailer-sourced).
Palate: Smooth and rounded — the añejo's vanilla, caramel, and spice, presented with unusual softness.
Finish: Clean and gentle, with lingering agave sweetness.
How to Enjoy
Neat or over a single cube — the cristalino was made for sipping. It also makes a remarkable top-shelf margarita where the aged depth shows through the citrus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cristalino tequila?
An aged tequila (añejo or extra añejo) that has been charcoal-filtered to remove color while keeping the aged flavor — clear like a blanco, complex like an añejo.
What proof is Chinaco Anejo Ultra Cristalino?
80 proof (40% ABV).
Where is Chinaco made?
At Tequilera La Gonzaleña (NOM 1127) in Tamaulipas — Chinaco is the only tequila produced in that state.
Are there additives?
No — no caramel coloring, oak extract, glycerin, or added sugar.
An añejo in a blanco's clothing — order Chinaco Anejo Ultra Cristalino Tequila online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.