Expresiones del Corazon Tequila Anejo George T Stagg Finished 750ML

Expresiones del Corazon Tequila Anejo George T. Stagg Finished 750ML is a 100% blue agave añejo tequila aged 22 months in ex-George T. Stagg bourbon barrels, bottled at 40% ABV. This expression earned a Trophy at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge — an extraordinary distinction that speaks to how well it balances the formidable influence of Stagg barrels against the character of highland agave.Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico  |  Aged 22 Months in George T. Stagg Barrels  |  Distillery: Casa San MatíasProduction & HeritageProduced at the Casa San Matías distillery in the highlands of Los Altos de Jalisco, this añejo begins with 100% blue agave hearts that are slow-cooked in traditional stone ovens before being pressed, fermented, and distilled. The liquid then rests for 22 months in barrels that previously held George T. Stagg bourbon — one of the most intensely flavored American whiskeys produced. Because Stagg barrels carry such aggressive bourbon character, aging tequila in them is a genuine tightrope walk; too long and the barrel overwhelms the agave entirely, too short and the integration falls flat. The 22-month maturation period strikes a careful equilibrium, pulling rich caramel and oak sweetness from the wood while preserving the herbal, vegetal soul of highland agave.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with coconut and toasted almond, followed by a subtle grassy exhale laced with star anise and cardamom. There is a gentle warmth underneath — a whisper of the barrel’s bourbon heritage.Taste: On the palate, salted caramel arrives immediately, bursting across the tongue with surprising intensity. The mid-palate shifts toward brown sugar, cocoa powder, and a thread of cinnamon, while charred pineapple emerges as the bourbon barrel influence deepens. Green apple and a faint chocolate bitterness balance the sweetness through to the peak.Finish: The finish carries moderate length with a smoky tobacco character that lingers alongside traces of dark chocolate. A final grassy, slightly herbal note recalls the agave origin and keeps the finish from drifting entirely into bourbon territory.How to Drink Corazón Stagg AñejoNeat at room temperature is the ideal primary serve, allowing the full interplay between barrel influence and agave character to unfold. A single ice cube can open up the coconut and caramel notes for those who prefer a slightly cooler sip. For cocktails, the Stagg barrel influence makes this añejo unusually versatile: an Old Fashioned riff benefits from the bourbon-adjacent caramel and tobacco tones; a Tequila Manhattan plays beautifully off the cocoa and cinnamon notes; and a Oaxaca Old Fashioned variation (subbing this for standard añejo) adds layers of salted caramel complexity that mezcal alone cannot provide.Best For
Bourbon enthusiasts curious about barrel-finished tequila
Gifting a collector who appreciates limited crossover expressions
Side-by-side tastings comparing barrel influence across the Expresiones del Corazón lineup
After-dinner sipping as a dessert-course alternative
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Corazón Stagg Añejo taste like? The dominant profile centers on salted caramel, cocoa powder, and cinnamon, with charred pineapple and smoky tobacco rounding out a finish that bridges tequila and bourbon character.How does Corazón Stagg Añejo compare to Corazón Sazerac Rye Añejo? Both are part of the same Expresiones del Corazón barrel-finished lineup, but the Sazerac Rye version leans toward spicier, more peppery rye-influenced notes, while the Stagg version delivers heavier caramel sweetness and a more prominent smoky, tobacco-driven finish courtesy of the high-proof bourbon barrel.Is Corazón Stagg Añejo good for sipping neat? At 40% ABV with 22 months of barrel aging, it is exceptionally approachable neat, delivering complex layered flavors without harshness.Where is Corazón Stagg Añejo made? It is produced at the Casa San Matías distillery in Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico — the highland agave-growing region known for sweeter, more fruit-forward agave plants.What foods pair well with Corazón Stagg Añejo? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and caramel notes; grilled pork with a mole sauce mirrors the cinnamon and smoke; aged Manchego cheese echoes the nutty, toasted almond aromas; churros with cajeta amplify the salted caramel character; and pecan pie aligns with the brown sugar and barrel-driven sweetness.What sizes does Corazón Stagg Añejo come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.Is Corazón Stagg Añejo worth the price? It positions as a premium specialty expression within the añejo category, justified by its limited barrel sourcing from one of America’s most sought-after bourbons, its 22-month aging, and its Trophy win at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge — placing it among the most critically recognized barrel-finished tequilas available.Why Corazón Stagg Añejo?The defining challenge of this expression is also its greatest achievement: George T. Stagg barrels are so aggressively flavored that they tend to dominate whatever spirit rests inside them. Casa San Matías navigated that problem by using highland blue agave — naturally sweeter and more fruit-forward — and finding the precise 22-month window where integration peaks before the barrel takes over. The result earned a Trophy at the 2021 International Spirits Challenge and 90 points (Excellent, Highly Recommended) at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, confirming that the balance is not just theoretical but critically validated. For anyone drawn to the intersection of American whiskey culture and traditional Mexican tequila production, few expressions occupy that space as convincingly.