Corazon "K&L Exclusive" Barrel #ST-15-D-10-063 Stagg Barrel Aged Anejo Tequila (750ml)

The boomerang barrels from Buffalo Trace are super fun, and now that they've revised the pricing, they're among the best deals in tequila. Committing to barrels without tasting them first is a little nerve-racking, but there's also something exciting about never knowing exactly what you're going to get. This Stagg barrel spent nearly two years in excellent wood, and the result is absolutely lovely. Let's taste it! The color is pale straw (0.2), a classic añejo hue. The nose is deeply sweet, with crème brûlée, toasted vanilla, roasted orange peel, and overripe honeydew, punctuated by lime zest and crushed rock. The oak is prominent, but there's still wonderful freshness. With air, darker notes emerge roasted espresso, cooked pumpkin, and candied apple. The palate is exceptionally rich and round, with sweet oak and caramel candy followed by gorgeous earthy spice. It's a real roller coaster, perfectly balancing sweetness and spice. Simply lovely to drink, this is the sort of añejo plenty of fancier brands would happily charge five times as much for. Bourbon fan or not, you won't find more añejo for your dollar in the shop than these two exceptional barrels.