Cristalino is one of the more interesting things happening in modern tequila, and this is a striking example of it. The process starts with a fully aged añejo, then filters the spirit through charcoal to strip the color back out while keeping as much of the barrel derived flavor as possible. What you end up with is a contradiction in the glass: something that looks like a blanco, clear and bright, but tastes like an aged tequila, with the vanilla, oak and rounded sweetness that only time in wood produces. Purists argue that filtration takes something away, and they are not entirely wrong, but the trade is a remarkably smooth and approachable pour that works for people who find heavier añejos too oaky. The Íconos de México collection wraps that liquid in Mexican folk art, and this edition is built around the Lotería, the Mexican board game played with illustrated cards that has been a fixture of family gatherings for generations. The rooster dominates the panel, surrounded by the sun, the deer, the umbrella, the scorpion, the bell and the flag, all recognizable cards rendered in dense, saturated color. It reads as a celebration rather than as decoration, and the decanter is clearly built to be kept. Taken together this is a genuinely giftable bottle that does not rely solely on the packaging. Serve it chilled or at room temperature in a proper glass, and drink it neat. It is smooth enough for someone new to sipping tequila and interesting enough to hold a more experienced drinker's attention, which is a difficult balance to strike.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
40% |
| Proof |
80 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
Mexico |
| Region |
Jalisco |
| Category |
Tequila |
| Expression |
Añejo Cristalino |
| Collection |
Íconos de México, Mexican Lottery |
| Agave |
100% agave |
| Age |
Añejo, rested in oak |
| Filtration |
Charcoal filtered to remove color |
| NOM |
1489 |
Tasting Notes
Color: Crystal clear and bright, with the barrel color removed by filtration rather than never having been there.
Nose: Inviting and soft, with cooked agave, light vanilla and a gentle oak sweetness.
Palate: Mild and smooth on the tongue, with vanilla, subtle wood and agave sweetness carrying through, and a touch of warmth toward the back.
Finish: Clean and unusually complex for how light it drinks, closing on vanilla and soft spice.
FAQ
What proof is Íconos de México Cristalino? It is bottled at 80 proof, or 40 percent alcohol by volume.
What is a cristalino tequila? An añejo that has been filtered through charcoal to remove the color it picked up in barrel. It looks like a blanco but retains much of the vanilla, oak and sweetness of an aged tequila.
If it is clear, is it unaged? No. It is fully aged first and then filtered. That is the entire point of the style and the reason it tastes nothing like a blanco.
What is the artwork? A scene built from the Mexican Lotería, the illustrated card game long played at family gatherings. The rooster is the central figure, surrounded by the sun, the deer, the umbrella, the scorpion, the bell and the flag.
How should I serve it? Neat, chilled or at room temperature, in a glass that lets the aromatics open. It is smooth enough for someone new to sipping tequila.
Where can I buy Íconos de México Cristalino Tequila online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping
