Santaleza Anejo Tequila
Santaleza Anejo Tequila is an 80-proof (40% ABV) 100% blue Weber agave anejo in a 750mL bottle, tahona-milled and additive-free, rested a minimum of 16 months in first-fill American bourbon barrels at Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604) in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Made by the Lopez-Villareal family with a 135-year-old tahona stone wheel, it is the most complex expression in the Santaleza lineup. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Aging: minimum 16 months in first-fill American bourbon barrels
- Origin: Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604), Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico
- Production: 72-hour masonry oven cook, 135-year-old tahona crush, natural fermentation in Roble wood vats, double distilled in copper alembic stills; additive-free
Tahona Tradition from Destiladora Bonanza
Most modern tequila is shredded by steel roller mills; Santaleza still crushes its slow-cooked agave with a 135-year-old tahona stone wheel pulled by a mechanical donkey nicknamed Pepe. That fiber-rich, old-school extraction — combined with natural fermentation in Roble wood vats and double distillation in copper alembics — gives this anejo its unmistakably agave-forward core, layered with first-fill bourbon barrel depth over 16+ months. Shop the Santaleza collection or explore more anejo tequilas at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The nose leads with cooked agave, honeysuckle, toasted orange peel, and worn leather, with almond and floral notes emerging in the glass. The palate is viscous and agave-driven — honey, butterscotch, dark chocolate, cinnamon, and roasted nuts over oak and earth — finishing long with dried fruit and a white-pepper spice that lingers.
How to Enjoy
Neat at room temperature is the purist's pour, letting the tahona character and bourbon-barrel oak take turns. It also makes a superb sipping-tequila Manhattan for anyone who wants the agave to speak through the vermouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santaleza Tequila additive-free?
Yes — Santaleza is produced with no additives and no diffuser-processed agave, from cooking through bottling.
How long is Santaleza Anejo aged?
A minimum of 16 months in first-fill American bourbon barrels.
Who makes Santaleza Tequila?
The Lopez-Villareal family at Destiladora Bonanza (NOM 1604) in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.
Old-world methods, modern glass — buy Santaleza Anejo Tequila online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.