Tequila

What Is Cristalino Tequila? Plus, 10 of the Best Bottles to Try

Ever wonder, “What is cristalino tequila?” Our guide to the transparent, aged tequila will teach you everything you need to know. 

By 

Jillian Dara

 |  November 2, 2024

What Is Cristalino Tequila? Plus, 10 of the Best Bottles to Try

Tequila is one of the most popular spirits today, and there’s a type of tequila for every palate. In 2008, cristalino tequila became the newest category when Juan Domingo Beckmann debuted Maestro Dobel Diamante. Until cristalino’s release, there were three main categories of tequila — blanco, reposado, and añejo. Upon release, the ultra-premium style of tequila quickly surpassed the reposado category in popularity. You can learn everything you need to know about tequila here. Now, the best tequila brands in the world have jumped on the cristalino trend, bringing their expertise and unique production methods to this burgeoning tequila category. Read on to discover what makes cristalino tequila so special and which are the best cristalino tequilas to buy.  

In This Article

• What Is Cristalino Tequila?
• How Is Cristalino Tequila Made?
• What Is the Difference Between Blanco and Cristalino Tequila?
• What Does Cristalino Tequila Taste Like?
• The 10 Best Cristalino Tequilas 

What Is Cristalino Tequila?

Cristalino tequila is an aged tequila (añejo) that is filtered to remove the natural amber color it picks up during oak cask or barrel maturation. Traditionally, the filtration process uses charcoal to remove the natural color. This process also removes some of the concentrated oak flavors that infuse the tequila during barrel aging. The result is a crystal-clear spirit like a blanco tequila that has the aromatic and flavor complexity of an añejo or reposado tequila. 

How Is Cristalino Tequila Made?

As with any tequila, cristalino is produced from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the five designated states in the Mexican region of Tequila: Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, or Tamaulipas. Producers harvest and cook mature agave piñas, the heart of the plant, before crushing them to extract the agave juice. Then, they ferment and distill this juice into tequila, which rests in oak barrels. Since cristalino tequila is a type of añejo tequila, it must mature for at least 12 months. However, many producers will age the spirit for longer to develop even more layered and nuanced flavors. Once the tequila has matured for its regulated resting time, producers filter it using activated charcoal to extract the color. This results in cristalino’s crystal-clear liquid and gives it its name.

What Is the Difference Between Blanco and Cristalino Tequila?

Both blanco and cristalino tequila are clear tequilas, but the palate and production methods couldn’t be more different. Cristalino is an aged tequila, yet is distinguished as a category of its own; all cristalino is añejo tequila, but not all añejo tequila is cristalino. Blanco tequila requires no aging. Which means it doesn’t offer flavors imparted from barrel aging (like caramel, oak, or vanilla) but rather herbal and earthy flavors of the natural agave plant. For this reason, blanco tequila lends itself to mixed drinks. Whereas an aged tequila like cristalino is enjoyable when sipped neat or on the rocks. Be sure you have one of the best tequila glasses to properly appreciate its aromas and flavors. 

What Does Cristalino Tequila Taste Like?

The filtration process removes some of the pungent notes developed while aging. So cristalino tequila presents a balanced profile of caramel and coconut or vanilla with some green notes of the agave plant that tend to linger on the palate. Of course, each producer makes a cristalino with unique tasting notes. Read on to discover some of the best cristalino tequilas.

The 10 Best Cristalino Tequilas 

Since cristalino tequila is one of the most in-demand types of tequila today, it’s no surprise that more and more luxury tequila brands have launched cristalino tequilas. We’ve rounded up the 10 best ones here.

Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Añejo Tequila

Nine years after Juan Beckmann reinvented the categories of tequila with Maestro Dobel Diamante, he released Maestro Dobel 50 Cristalino Extra Añejo tequila. The tequila matures for a minimum of three years in American and Eastern European oak barrels to create a full-bodied and full-flavored tequila. The mouthfeel is simultaneously creamy and silky with subtle notes of fig, quince, date, and pineapple. And even pumpkin with baking spices lingering on the palate (like cinnamon, vanilla, or clove). 

Tequila Komos Añejo Cristalino

Casa Komos Beverage Group launched its añejo cristalino at the end of 2020, only for it to sell out in 60 days. The striking cobalt bottle contains a tequila that producers distill twice in copper pot stills and age for one year in French oak white wine barrels. Then, they aerate (a winemaking technique) it, resulting in a softer and smoother mouthfeel. The flavors of Tequila Komos Añejo Cristalino are expertly balanced with pineapple, miso, and peach notes that finish with a touch of minerality that leaves you wanting another sip.

Avión Reserva Cristalino

Avión Reserva Cristalino is a blend of the brand’s 12-month-old añejo that matures in American oak with a splash of its extra añejo (a minimum aging period of three years). The brand filters the blend twice with charcoal, adding to the smoothness and clarity of the final product. It’s so clear that it almost glistens in its decanter. Oak and vanilla are prevalent on the nose. But on the palate, spice takes over with subtle pepper, cinnamon, and a hint of brown sugar.

Don Julio 70 Crystal Añejo

Don Julio presents a cristalino añejo tequila that’s double-distilled and aged for 18 months in American white oak barrels. The slow charcoal filtration restores the crisp flavors imbued in the liquid from the agave, which is prevalent on the nose. The palate is full of vanilla and honey before a finish of warm oak notes.

Tequila Cristallino by 1800

1800 Cristalino is exceptionally unique as this clear, añejo tequila blends liquid that ages in French and American oak barrels before it’s finished in port wine casks. The port wine cask adds depth to the cristalino’s flavor and texture, imparting distinct layers of hazelnut and bitter orange. The palate is silky smooth but finishes with a crisp freshness.

Mijenta Cristalino

Founded in 2020, this small-batch tequila brand is one of the newer labels on the market. It has climbed the tequila ranks quickly though because of its artisanal processes, which it showcases in its cristalino. Mijenta specifically designed the Symphony Barrels that the Cristalino rests in to bring a richer complexity to the expression. After eight months of aging, the proof is in the maple, caramel, and toffee-forward palate that a spiced citrus finish offsets. 

Tequila Don Ramón Platinum Añejo Cristalino

Casa Don Ramón has a portfolio of different cristalino offerings, including a reposado and two añejo variations. Its Platinum Añejo Cristalino — presented in its classic, cube-shaped decanter — stands out from the rest of its cristalinos for its nutty and woody profile. The tequila matures for 12 months in American oak and boldly presents 50 flavor notes with every sip.

Gran Centenario Cristalino 

This Cristalino from Gran Centenario is a blend of añejo and extra añejo tequilas that the brand distills twice and finishes in Calvados barrels. Gran Centenario distinguishes its cristalino further with a unique filtration process that employs Mexican silver rather than traditional charcoal filtration. The tequila has an exceptionally round mouthfeel that makes it a delicious sip neat. And also a great component in a tequila cocktail. For example, Gran Centenario puts forth its clear Negroni – melding 2 oz cristalino with ¾ oz Cocchi Americano, and ½ oz ginger liqueur – for an ultra-sophisticated showing of the spirit.

Seis Puertas Cristalino Tequila

This towering bottle of cristalino begins with a double distillation before it ages in a combination of American and French oak barrels for a minimum of 15 months. The result is a classic presentation of the category, as the tequila is smooth with sweet aromas of caramel and oak as well as cooked agave and vanilla on the palate.  

Gran Orendain 7-Year Cristalino Extra Añejo

The name of this tequila says it all; aged for seven years in ex-bourbon barrels, Gran Orendain filters its extra añejo for a complex and layered cristalino. The nose is bright with natural agave flavors, while the palate opens with a cacao sweetness imparted by the tequila’s extended time in the barrel. Oak and wood are more prominent in this cristalino, but you can still appreciate the characteristic caramel.

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