Expresiones del Corazón Tequila Añejo Aged in Elmer T. Lee Barrels is a 750ml, 40% ABV highland tequila aged in ex-bourbon casks from Buffalo Trace. Part of the acclaimed Expresiones del Corazón single-barrel series, this añejo expression draws its distinctive character from barrels that previously held Elmer T. Lee bourbon, layering rich oak sweetness over roasted agave in a way few tequilas attempt.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico | Añejo (aged 1–3 years in Elmer T. Lee bourbon barrels) | Distillery: Casa San MatíasProduction & HeritageCasa San Matías, located in the highland region of Los Altos de Jalisco, carries more than 130 years of tequila-making experience. The distillery uses 100% blue agave sourced from the mineral-rich highlands, where higher altitude and red clay soils yield agave piñas with elevated sugar content. Under the direction of Master Distiller Rocío Rodríguez Torres, tequila destined for the Expresiones del Corazón line is aged in specific ex-bourbon barrels supplied by Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. For this expression, the añejo rests in barrels that once held Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon, imparting a unique layer of vanilla, caramel, and refined oak character not found in standard añejo production.Tasting NotesAroma: Roasted agave leads, followed by toasted almond and warm baking spice. A secondary wave of subtle vanilla and light caramel emerges as the spirit opens up in the glass.Taste: The entry is smooth and lightly sweet, with oak and cinnamon merging at the mid-palate. Deeper layers of chocolate and caramel develop, reflecting the bourbon barrel’s influence, while the highland agave backbone provides earthy grounding and brightness.Finish: Long and warming, with lingering oak spice and a refined agave sweetness that slowly fades. The barrel’s influence persists gently, leaving traces of toasted almond and cocoa.How to Drink Expresiones Elmer T. Lee AñejoThis añejo rewards sipping neat at room temperature, where the barrel-influenced complexity has room to develop. A few drops of water can open up the subtler almond and chocolate notes. It also brings structure and depth to several classic cocktails:
Old Fashioned: The bourbon-barrel aging makes this a natural substitute in the classic template, adding agave depth alongside the expected caramel and oak.
Tequila Manhattan: Pairs beautifully with sweet vermouth, as the cinnamon and chocolate notes echo the cocktail’s traditional profile.
Añejo Highball: Lengthened with quality tonic or sparkling water, the barrel character holds up while the agave brightness stays present.
Best For
Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates tequila or cross-category barrel aging
Side-by-side tastings comparing different Expresiones del Corazón barrel expressions
After-dinner sipping in place of a digestif or aged spirit
Collectors seeking limited single-barrel tequila releases with bourbon provenance
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo taste like? It delivers a smooth, lightly sweet profile led by toasted almond, cinnamon, and chocolate, with a warm oak backbone and subtle caramel sweetness contributed by the ex-bourbon barrels.How does Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo compare to the Eagle Rare Barrel Añejo? Both share the same Casa San Matías distillate and 100% highland blue agave base, but the Elmer T. Lee barrels tend to impart softer vanilla and almond notes, while Eagle Rare barrels are often associated with deeper fruit and toffee character. The differences are entirely a result of the individual bourbon barrel profiles from Buffalo Trace.Is Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo good for sipping neat? Yes — the extended aging and bourbon-barrel influence produce a refined, sippable tequila with enough complexity to stand on its own without ice or mixers.Where is Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo made? It is produced at the Casa San Matías distillery in the Los Altos (highlands) region of Jalisco, Mexico, using agave grown in the same highland terroir and aged in barrels sourced from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.What foods pair well with Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and cinnamon notes; grilled stone fruit echoes the barrel’s caramel sweetness; mole negro mirrors the warm spice profile; aged Manchego or Gouda provides a savory counterpoint to the oak and vanilla; and pecan pie amplifies the toasted nut character.What sizes does Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for the Expresiones del Corazón single-barrel series.Is Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo worth the price? It positions as a premium, limited-production añejo within a niche category — tequila aged in named-bourbon barrels. For drinkers who value cross-category barrel provenance and single-barrel individuality, it delivers meaningful complexity that justifies its premium tier.Why Expresiones Elmer T. Lee Añejo?The Expresiones del Corazón series occupies a genuinely unique space in the tequila world by marrying highland agave distillate with individually sourced, named-bourbon barrels from one of America’s most storied distilleries. The Elmer T. Lee barrel selection carries the legacy of a bourbon icon — the man credited with pioneering single-barrel bourbon — directly into the tequila category. With Master Distiller Rocío Rodríguez Torres overseeing production at a distillery with more than a century of experience, this añejo represents a serious convergence of Mexican and American aging traditions. It is a bottle that appeals equally to tequila devotees and bourbon collectors seeking something genuinely different.