When Trago first contacted us about sending some of their tequila to review I had some mixed emotions. The first was obviously “woohoo, we are getting some free ultra-premium tequila for BoozeBasher staff consumption!” Then I began to think about all of the possible issues involved in tasting this newcomer to the tequila world. If it tastes really horrible, will I feel obligated to review it “gently” because I know they will be reading the review? What if the Trago folks disagree with our review, call me names during recess, and then pick me last for kickball? Fortunately, all of my fears were put to rest when we received our first samples because we discovered that Trago makes some damn tasty tequila.
If you checked out our feature article on Trago’s tequilas, then you probably know a bit of the company history. If you haven’t read the article, shame on you, but I will get you a quick overview anyway. Trago is an ultra-premium tequila distiller with their headquarters in Las Vegas, NV. The distillery is located in central Mexico and is operated by Felipe Camarena, who happens to be the son of Don Felipe, also know as the father of tequila. So the Trago name might be new, but the guys producing it are definitely not rookies.
The Añejo is the big daddy of the Trago family. Rested for 18 months in used American bourbon barrels, it is the darkest of the three. At first glance, you might wonder why your liquor store has started stocking giant bottles of cologne, however, please do not attempt to dab this liquor on yourself. Though the aroma of this Añejo is possibly as intoxicating as the actual tequila and might be effective in attracting members of the opposite sex with drinking habits, it would be a horrible waste of this precious liquid. The moment you crack open a bottle of Trago Anejo, you know that it’s different from those other tequilas you have consumed in the past. The sweet aroma of the blue agave is still present, however, it is intricately interwoven with a mix of peperry spice, a hint of vanilla, and a dash of brown sugar. The nose of this tequila is so amazing that you might end up spending a large portion of your evening just wafting its aroma, that is, until you remember that you bought this tequila to drink.
When I say drink, I really mean savor. The folks at Trago recommend this Añejo be consumed neat and from a snifter. The BoozeBasher staff wholeheartedly agrees with this suggestion. When sipped, the first flavor on your pallet is the peppery spice that was also present in the Silver. That spice remains on your tongue from start to finish, but it mingles with a hint of smokey oak, maple syrup, and a large dose of sweet blue agave. The finish is impossibly long for a tequila, with the smokey spice flavors dominating when you inhale and the sweet agave dancing back across you tongue when you exhale. Honestly, this tequila blows past the “Best Tequila I Have Consumed” category and lands into the “Best Liquor I Have Consumed” category. Really, I enjoyed it that much. Unfortunately, not all of the BoozeBasher staff agreed. While everyone agreed that it was quite good and a couple even agreed that it was one of the tastiest liquors they have consumed, others felt that the spice was a little overpowering and diverged too far from a traditional tequila flavor. Oddly, my suggestion of CAT scans to determine the dissenters cranial anomalies was not well received.
Unfortunately, there are some aspects of tequila that cannot be distilled aways. Yup, the bane of all tequila drinkers, the hangover. A night of drinking Trago Añejo will leave you with a nice little reminder, in the form of a headache that will last a large part of the following day. Fortunately, this 80-proof elixir will provide you with a night of fun before the misery the next day. Consuming it neat expedites the night’s festivities and before you know it, you will be dancing on the tables with the best of them.
The Trago brand might be a newcomer to the tequila world, but it is backed up by a family with over ten decades of distilling experience, and that expertise shows in the very first sip. You might not have had the opportunity to get your hands on a bottle yet. It is slowly making its way across the U.S from the West Coast, and I have heard of a few sightings on the eastern seaboard. If you do happen upon a bottle, I suggest you grab it before anyone else has the opportunity. Trago Añejo is not cheap, as it will cost you about $67 for a fifth of this unique tequila. However, I think it is definitely worth the price, and I know I will be snatching up the first bottle I see on the shelves.
Sipability - 9.0
Mixability - N/A
Drunkability - 7.5
Hangover-ability - 6.5
Bang for the Buck - 4.0
Overall - 8.0 
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