Review: Mijenta Tequila Anejo Symphony Series No. 3

Mijenta Tequila continues its Symphony Series with a third release, an anejo matured in the brand’s Symphony barrels, which are built using staves made from oak trees sourced from four different states — Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Virginia — which are then toasted instead of charred. (This is virgin oak, not a reconstruction of used barrels.) Symphony #3 spends 18 months in these franken-barrels.

“This series continues to be an extremely interesting journey for me in the exploration of barrel aging,” said Maestra Tequilera Ana María Romero. “Each release in our Symphony Series, from our initial Cristalino, to our Reposado last year, to this exquisite Añejo, showcases how we can highlight different aspects of both the terroir of the agave and the unique, unpredictable characteristics of our symphony barrels. For me, doing small batch releases is incredibly inspiring because there is always so much more we can discover when it comes to tequila.”

Using the cooperage’s proprietary method, the staves are toasted over a low burning “chaufferette” (heat) while being continually sprayed with water. This unique toasting method opens the pores and allows a deeper penetration into the stave, bringing soft and delicate aromas, elegance, and balance to the spirit. This toast releases the wood’s fruit flavors, along with a powerful aromatic bouquet.

The monarch butterfly design on the packaging, created in collaboration with Japanese artist Hiroko Otake, pays homage to the annual migration of millions of butterflies from the United States and Canada to the UNESCO-protected oyamel fir forests of central Mexico. This awe-inspiring phenomenon of natural beauty is captured on these individually hand-silk screened bottles.

And as with all Mijenta expressions, the packaging for Symphony Series No. 3 is sustainably designed. The bottle is made from recycled glass, the cap is biopolymer made from sugar cane fiber, and the box is made from FSC-certified cardboard.

Mijenta Tequila Anejo Symphony Series No. 3 Review

Fairly light in color for an anejo, the tequila is restrained on the nose, and in a good way. In a world of overblown anejos, Mijenta keeps this one mellow and rather mild, its agave aromas coming across as well-roasted and quite nutty, evoking marzipan and sesame, layered with lemon peel, white pepper, and hints of dried rosemary.

The palate is equally quiet and really quite refined, a gentle beacon in a world of over-the-top anejos and extra anejos. Vanilla and milk chocolate are immediately impactful, with hints of lemon and some lime. It’s gently peppery, more white than black, which initially masks a modest fruitiness lying in wait. Apple butter, or apple slices dipped in caramel, await the drinker as the finish builds. The finale sees just a touch of cinnamon, evoking the horchata notes of Symphony #2, tempered with a reprise of citrusy lemon.

All told this blurs the line between reposado and anejo — and I think fans of either style will love it.

90 proof. NOM 1499.

A- / $120 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

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