Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo is the aged expression of the range of Dano’s tequilas, reviewed here by Travel Distilled.
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo is the first of Dano’s tequilas that I’ve tasted, but of course I immediately want to know two things. Who is Dano, and why are his tequilas dangerous?
Who is Dano?
The story of Dano’s Tequila begins not in Mexico but in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. That’s Dano’s hometown and where he started experimenting by infusing tequila with pineapple and jalapeno to produce a drink his friends all raved about.
Then Dano and a friend Chris visited the town of Tequila in Jalisco in Mexico, the very heart of tequila production, and discovered the Tequila D´Reyes distillery. This 4th-generation family-owned distillery has been making tequila since 1840 and claims to be the second-oldest tequila distillery in the world.
Dano and Chris got talking tequila with the distillers, and told them about Dano’s unique recipe for a pineapple and jalapeno infused tequila. Tequila D´Reyes wanted to try making some, and Dano said he’d import their tequilas (they already made a blanco, reposado, and this anejo) into the US and market them there.
Why Are Dano’s Tequilas Dangerous?
I admit that I don’t know the answer to this one. All tequilas are dangerous if you drink too much of them, and I myself have described some of the tastiest spirits as dangerous and dangerously more-ish, as they slip down so easily and one glass is never enough.
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Awards
Tequila d’Reyes must be delighted with Dano’s work, as their tequilas have been picking up awards all over the place, including Best in Class Anejo at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a Gold Medal in the 2019 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Tasting Competition, and Double Gold and Gold in the 2018 SIP Awards.
Their anejo was also listed by Rolling Stone as one of their top 14 tequilas around, and they described this one as ‘the cognac of tequila’. Wow, that is serious praise. I’m getting nervous about trying it. Suppose I don’t like it?
Tasting Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo
The anejo is made from 100% blue agave, which are cooked in brick ovens and then distilled in copper stills. The spirit is then aged from 12-18 months in new white oak barrels, and bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof).
The tequila is a lovely straw/pale gold color, from its time in the barrels. The nose immediately stands out as something different – and possibly dangerous. There are strong aromas of pear drops and tropical fruit, with a vanilla creaminess. Swirl it around the glass and the scent of coconut emerges prominently.
It smells a little rum-like, but the sweetness is counter-balanced by the hints of earthy agave. Dano’s does say that the distillery measures its mature agave (after about 8 years of growth) for both sugar content and sweetness, before deciding when to harvest them.
On the palate is where Dano’s does get dangerous. It’s a full and rich mix of everything the nose promised: the vanilla and the coconut, but with some caramel and oakiness from the barrels. It slips down a treat, with the coconut still evident. This is one exceptional anejo. It’s not cheap but it’s worth every peso.
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo Cocktail Recipe
Buying Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo sells for $58, and you can find out more on the Dano’s Tequila website.
You can buy the tequila direct from Dano’s Online Store. There’s free shipping if you buy three bottles or more. You can also buy it from Drizly.
Buying Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo
Dano’s Dangerous Tequila Anejo sells for $58, and you can find out more on the Dano’s Tequila website.
You can buy the tequila direct from Dano’s Online Store. There’s free shipping if you buy three bottles or more. You can also buy it from Drizly.
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