Notes: This tequila is produced on the estate Agua Escondido in the village Zapotlanejo, Jalisco, the heart of tequila country. This is the oldest expression the of the line (with the exception of a very limited edition costing more than my car) its younger siblings being Dos Lunas Silver and a Dos Lunas Reposado.

They use a natural yeast which can take up to five times longer to ferment than some in use by other tequila makers and a double distillation. This is the Anejo (Old) expression of this particular line aged 18 months in a combination of used Bourbon barrels (charred white American oak) and new white American oak barrels then blended and rested in oak again before bottling.

Appearance: Clear, color of wheat straw/amber lovely body. On swirling, it leaves a very light coating on the glass with legs forming and then breaking into a constellation of droplets.

First Impression: Has that good tequila smell. It has all the right elements right at the start: You can also pick up the oak at first nosing. Bouquet is similar to its younger siblings: (savory, citrusy lime, brine) with the added vanilla,anise, and dried fruits smell of a good bourbon whisky overlaid with a peppery oakness.

Taste: Oily wonderful body. Savory, like a sweet olive brine and a thai lime dish with salt – Agave but oak and woody notes (probably a by product of the extended fermentation – a delicious new taste) much like its younger incarnations. But then there is the added mix of bourbon vanilla,oak, char and slight honey sweetness that adds whole new layers of taste to explore.

Wonderful blending of sweet, dry oak, leather, dried fruit. Drying and also paradoxically, a sweetish ending with slight pepper and salt ending. Finish is long, very smooth and a shame it has to end. Much more understated than the Reposado.

Drinks: Seductive, decadent Margaritas: be sure to use fresh juice and Grand Marnier- anything less would be an insult to the tequila and a waste. We also like to substitute St Germain Liqueur for the Gran Marnier.That being said, this should really be enjoyed on its own in a brandy snifter or tasting glass It could also be used before and after dinner, first as an aperitif, then as digestif. Good enough for a celebration or a self indulgence. (Confession afterwards optional.)

Cigars: Goes well with a Fuente Hemingway Classic or Signature.

Bottle: Unlike a lot of the competition, Dos Lunas does not use recycled glass and hand blown bottle (that also weigh a ton but can be very fragile at the same time). Some people have remarked that it looks like a bottle of shampoo (which could be useful in some situations) but it is a striking contrast to the rest of the tequila shelf in the liquor store or in your bar.
Cork took a few seconds to figure out (you must pull directly but gently straight up to open). Frosted with clear window to picture of a Jimador having at a Agave Pina with a espalon make for a visually interesting presentation. Far from the rustic look others are trying. Cosmopolitan, clean lines, a welcome change that will stand out well in the sea of recycled coke bottles others use.

Final Thoughts: Delicious, complex, enchanting. If the Reposado was a VSOP Cognac this would be the XO.

Web site: http://www.DOSLUNAS.com

Somewhat brief information after a beginning that alternates slow and frenetic. Well laid out, if a trifle busy. Some links need to be updated – such as the product line that does not include the Anejo or the Grand Reserve .