Chinaco Anejo Tequila
Chinaco Anejo Tequila is an 80 proof (40% ABV), 700mL aged tequila — the historic añejo from Tequilera La Gonzaleña (NOM 1127) in Tamaulipas, barrel-aged two and a half to three years in American white oak. The first premium tequila ever sold in the United States, still made the same way since its inception: ripe agave hearts roasted in autoclave, pressed in an old molino, fermented 72 hours with the house's natural yeast, and double-distilled in two 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: 700mL
- Aging: 2.5–3 years in American white oak
- Agave: 100% Blue Weber, Tamaulipas
- Distillery: Tequilera La Gonzaleña, NOM 1127
- Additives: none
The Tequila That Changed America
Before Chinaco, "premium tequila" barely existed in the United States — then this Tamaulipas distillery's añejo arrived in the 1980s and rewrote the category. Wine & Spirits magazine later called Chinaco the most influential spirit brand of the past 25 years, and the process hasn't changed since: the same family-owned distillery tracing back to 1856, the same low-temperature autoclave roast, the same natural yeast, the same copper-lined stills. Two and a half to three years in American white oak gives the añejo its amber depth — vanilla, caramel, and baking spice layered over Tamaulipas agave's distinctive earthy sweetness — while the house's no-additives discipline keeps it honest. This is the tequila that taught America what añejo could be. Browse more anejo tequila and explore the Chinaco collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Cooked agave, vanilla, and light oak (brand/retailer-sourced).
Palate: Rich and balanced — caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and earthy agave sweetness.
Finish: Long, delicate, and complex with lingering oak.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a snifter is the classic serve for a tequila this historic. It also elevates an Añejo Old Fashioned, where the oak and agave meet the bitters halfway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Chinaco Anejo aged?
Two and a half to three years in American white oak barrels.
What proof is Chinaco Anejo Tequila?
80 proof (40% ABV).
What size is the bottle?
700mL — the European-format bottle.
Why is Chinaco historically important?
It was the first premium tequila available in the US (1980s) and the only tequila made in Tamaulipas — Wine & Spirits called it the most influential spirit brand of the past 25 years.
The añejo that started it all — find Chinaco Anejo Tequila online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.