It’s fascinating how trends in the wine and spirit industry can cross genres and borders, evolving into greater statements about the evolution of consumer tastes. Just a few years ago, there was still a huge demand for big California red wines, as well as heavily-oaked Tequilas. Customers wanted the richest and roundest liquids available.

Yet, as younger generations have graduated into adulthood, looking for alternatives from the sweeter style of alcohol, we’ve seen a huge shift at Mission into lighter, lower alcohol, and even natural wines. More and more people are paying attention to how their beverages are made, which has created ripples in the Tequila market given the fact that so many today are adulterated with artificial flavoring, sugar, and glycerol. 

In the realm of additive-free Tequila, perhaps no figure looms larger than Carlos Camarena—the master distiller for El Tesoro and Tapatìo, whose long-standing commitment to only the finest, purest Tequilas had made him a legend (as well as his brother Felipe, who now manages G4 Tequila). 

While the oakier Añejo Tequilas are often more popular with the whiskey crowd, true Tequila fans tend to prefer Blanco and Reposado expressions because the clean flavor of agave isn’t masked by the wood, allowing the talents of the distiller to shine through. For that reason, we sat down with Carlos earlier this year to select a single cask of his finest Reposado Tequila from La Alteña Distillery, and we are very excited to tell you about its arrival.

This Mission Exclusive single barrel Tequila has an exquisite balance of herbaceousness, sweetness, and spice. The peppery notes from the agave shine through immediately, bolstered by an undercurrent of citrus that is wrapped up and cradled by baking spices and light butterscotch notes from the oak. Overall, it’s a masterclass in “real” Tequila: the purity and quintessence of blue agave, allowed to shine in full glow, with just a little touch of wood for good measure.

We hope you all enjoy this single barrel exclusive as much as we do!

El Tesoro “Mission Exclusive” Single Barrel Reposado Tequila $59.99