Cenote Tequila Anejo
Travel Distilled reviews Cenote Tequila Anejo, one of Cenote’s range of tequilas including blanco, reposado, cristalino, and a Green Orange agave liqueur.
Cenote Tequila was a new name on me, though I knew what the word cenote meant. I’d seen them when visiting the Yucatan, where they refer to pits or sinkholes that contain water. The Mayan people used them as supplies of pure water, and sometimes for sacrificial rites. They believed the cenotes were inhabited by gods and goddesses, including Chaac, who was the god of rainfall.
The name cenote means ‘sacred well’, but these days you’re more likely to go swimming in one, if you can find a cenote that’s accessible.
It’s the beautiful Yucatan that has inspired Cenote Tequila, though of course the Yucatan is not one of the official tequila-making areas. They do make agave spirits there, from the same blue agave plants used for tequila, and using the same method – they just can’t call it tequila. But the Yucatan inspired the tequilas, and not just the name. For the flavor profile Cenote tried to capture the flavors and feel of the Yucatan itself.
How to Pronounce Cenote
If you’re going to ask for this tequila in a shop then you’d better know how to pronounce it. And the answer is: si-ˈnō-tē. So the ‘c’ is soft and the ‘ce’ is pronounced ‘see’ not ‘say’.
How to Pronounce Cenote
If you’re going to ask for this tequila in a shop then you’d better know how to pronounce it. And the answer is: si-ˈnō-tē. So the ‘c’ is soft and the ‘ce’ is pronounced ‘see’ not ‘say’.
Cenote Green Orange Liqueur
As well as its range of four tequilas, Cenote also makes a Green Orange liqueur. It’s a kind of flavored tequila, as it’s made by taking their 100% blue agave blanco and combining it with macerated green orange peels that have themselves been triple distilled. Sounds good to me!
Making Cenote Tequila Anejo
Cenote Tequila makes a blanco, reposado, an extra anejo cristalino, and this Cenote Tequila Anejo. They are all 100% blue agave tequilas, the best kind. It’s aged for one year in American Oak barrels, a process you would expect to bring elements of both wood and vanilla to the aromas and tastes.
To learn more about how oak flavors tequila and other spirits, you will of course be ordering a copy of my book, Cask Strength!
Cenote Tequila Anejo Bottle
Before getting to the beautiful deep golden liquid inside, a shout-out for the stylish bottle. This will be a keeper, even when empty. It has a cork stopper with a metallic top on it, showing golden agaves against a turquoise background around the side. There’s a label with a painting of a cenote, a classic square shape, and ribbed glass. It will definitely impress on the shelves, and just feels good in the hand.
Tasting Cenote Tequila Anejo
But what of what’s inside? One sniff and I’m hooked. Prominent is that earthy agave aroma, but very clean, and then the expected hints of wood, and vanilla, with a little smokiness like a good scotch.
Tasting does not disappoint. Everything from the nose is there on the palate too, and it’s smooth enough to sip neat. There are also dashes of cinnamon-like spices, and even a sweet and toasty butterscotch/caramel taste. It slips down smoothly, too, with just a touch of fieriness on a lovely long finish. This is not a tequila for chugging, but one for cherishing.
All I can say in summing up is that I’m really glad that Cenote Tequila is no longer a new name for me. I’ll definitely be watching out for their other tequilas.
Buying Cenote Tequila Anejo
You can find your nearest stockist (and you should!) on the Cenote Tequila website. Alternately you can find this anejo and the rest of the range at Drizly.
Buying Cenote Tequila Anejo
You can find your nearest stockist (and you should!) on the Cenote Tequila website. Alternately you can find this anejo and the rest of the range at Drizly.
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