Duke Grand Cru Founders Reserve Extra Anejo Tequila
Duke Grand Cru Founders Reserve Extra Anejo Tequila is a 3-year-old extra añejo — 40% ABV (80 proof), 750mL — from Duke Spirits' Grand Cru tequila line honoring John Wayne's love of Mexico. Distilled from single-estate blue agave in the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, it's aged in second-use American oak whiskey barrels and finished in third-use French Grand Cru wine barrels, which lend it a brilliant cherry character. Every bottle supports the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 3 years (official Duke sales sheet)
- Agave: 100% single-estate blue agave; hand-distilled in small copper pot stills at a distillery founded 1885, Los Altos, Jalisco
- Barrels: Aged in 2nd-use American oak whiskey barrels; finished in 3rd-use French Grand Cru wine barrels (Taransaud, Demptos; Jupilles, Tronçais forests)
- Origin: Los Altos highlands, Jalisco, Mexico
What "Grand Cru" Means on a Tequila Bottle
In wine, Grand Cru marks the finest vineyard sites — and on this bottle it marks the finest barrels. After three years in second-use American whiskey oak, the tequila finishes in French oak wine barrels from Grand Cru cooperages Taransaud and Demptos, built from Jupilles and Tronçais forest oak and previously used for Napa Valley wines and Duke Grand Cru Bourbon. The wine-barrel influence is unmistakable: deep oak wrapped around brilliant cherry. Duke Spirits, owned by John Wayne Enterprises, directs proceeds from every bottle to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Compare it with other extra añejo tequilas and explore the Duke collection.
Tasting Notes
The nose is delicate and inviting. The palate is complex and smooth — woody notes, oak, vanilla, and caramel over a slightly sweet agave core, with the French oak wine barrels bringing out brilliant cherry. The finish is complex and slightly sweet, lingering on cherry and seasoned oak.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat to catch the full wine-barrel influence, or with a single cube if you prefer it softened. It also elevates a premium añejo Old Fashioned — the cherry notes do half the cocktail's work already.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Duke Grand Cru Founder's Reserve Extra Añejo aged?
Three years, per Duke Spirits' official sales sheet — triple the one-year extra añejo minimum. Don't confuse it with the Commemorative Limited Edition, which is aged 6 years and limited to 1,000 bottles.
Why does the Duke Grand Cru extra añejo taste like cherry?
The French Grand Cru wine-barrel finish. After aging in American whiskey barrels, the tequila rests in third-use French oak barrels from Grand Cru cooperages — the wine-soaked oak imparts the brilliant cherry character.
What does "Grand Cru" mean on this tequila?
It refers to the finishing barrels: French oak from Grand Cru wine cooperages (Taransaud, Demptos), crafted from prized Jupilles and Tronçais forest oak — a wine-world standard of quality applied to tequila.
For a 3-year extra añejo with a wine-barrel soul, buy Duke Grand Cru online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.