Casa Sauza XA Extra Anejo Edicion Limitada

Sauza may be best known for making inexpensive yet perfectly drinkable 100% agave tequila, but now it’s raising the bar with an extra anejo called Casa Sauza XA.

This fancy-pants bottling is indeed extra-old, 100% aged three years in a combination of new and used American oak barrels. The bottle is something like I’ve never seen, featuring a cork closure that is strapped down by a leather belt and buckle. (Cute, but inconvenient.)

The nose is classic anejo tequila: Caramel, creme brulee, light chocolate notes, and a bit of alcoholic burn. The palate is very dessert-like, with all of the above plus notes of nutmeg on the top. The body however is surprisingly light. The rich creaminess you get in many an old extra anejo doesn’t quite come through here, and agave is really an afterthought with this tequila. That’s not a bad thing, but what Sauza has created is the smoothest, silkiest, most dessert-friendly extra anejo I’ve encountered in some time. Enjoy it with chocolate cake. Forget the limes.