Every Tequila Lover Should Try Cristalino — Here's What You Need to Know (and Drink)

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Almost all tequila Drinkers know about the blanco, reposado and añejo categories, but there's another type of tequila that's starting to catch on: cristalino. Particularly popular among the well-heeled fans of Mexico City, Tequila Cristalino is a relatively new category (although not officially recognized by the CRT) that combines the smoothness and complexity of an extra añejo with the clear color and freshness of a premium blanco.

If you're unfamiliar with the fast-growing tequila style, read on. Below, we get the lowdown on cristalino from someone who makes it from scratch: Alejandro Coronado, Master Distiller and Head of Production at Cuervo and Gran Coramino. Plus, we're rounding up some of the best cristalino tequilas you can try right now, including Cornado's cristalino's latest creation from the Reserva de la Familia.

What is Cristalino Tequila?

Cristalino tequila is an añejo or extra añejo (aged tequila) that has undergone a filtering process. This filtering – usually done with charcoal – removes the characteristic amber color of añejo and softens the rich, woody notes that añejos receive during their stay in the barrel. The end result is a clear liquid (hence the name) that is usually smoother and lighter in flavor than the original añejo.

“The visionary here was Juan Domingo [Beckmann],” says Coronado, originally from cristalinos. “Back in 2006 or 2007, [Beckmann] he said, “Hey, what can we do to have an easier drinking tequila for younger people or anyone who isn't as interested in the simpler flavor profile of a silver?” With this direction from the CEO, Coronado and his team came up with the cristalino idea. “Our challenge was to come up with a blend of a mature off-color tequila, retaining as much of the rest of the añejo's credentials as possible – from the nose to the palate – and giving it some complexity.”

The result of this was Conductor Dobel Diamante Cristalino, which the brand claims is the world's first cristalino. Coronado's latest release — Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Orgánico (abbreviation: RDLF Cristalino) — is an excellent example of cristalino at its best. Packaged in a sleek black and silver bottle, RDLF Cristalino takes the brand's rich, luxurious extra añejo and adapts it to something lighter and fresher — both in appearance and taste. Get a bottle here.

How should you drink Cristalino tequila?

Once you've secured a bottle of cristalino, you'll want to encourage a good first impression. “[Tasting] it should be organized as a sensory experience,” says Coronado. He serves cristalino as the finale to a range of tequilas, suggesting tasters start with the silver and work their way through a reposado and an añejo or extra añejoand then finish with one crystalline. “When [tasters] they see a clear glass again after the silver, the reposado and the añejo, and they take a sip, they say “Oh my god, this is amazing!” Because it is like a revolution in their mind to feel the sensation of a mature tequila, but without any color. I think it's very unique.”

Of course, any super-premium tequila likes it Reserva de la Familia Cristalino they should be served neat or on the rocks to start. But lots of cristalinos great taste in cocktails too. If you're going the cocktail route, we suggest something fresh that lets the tequila do the talking. try a Paloma (a splash of grapefruit juice, agave syrup and a squeeze of lime juice) or a Tequila Old Fashioned (agave syrup, bitters, cristalino and a garnish of orange peel).

What are the best Cristalino tequilas to try?

Ready to check out cristalino for yourself? Here are some of the best we've tried.

Reserva de la Familia Añejo Cristalino Organico

Coronado oversaw the production of several cristalisnos for other brands before it came time to release one for Jose Cuervo's gem, Reserva de la Familia. So this is not so surprising RDLF's crystalline it's probably the best. The liquid begins as ultra-ripe agave and is then matured in new American oak before finishing in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. Finally, it is filtered through charcoal to give an incredibly smooth, sparkling final product with notes of agave, honey and dried fruit. Serve it neat on a special occasion.

Conductor Dobel Diamante Cristalino

Dobel Diamante (which Coronado also helped create) was released as the world's first Cristalino. For the price, it's still one of our favorites. Made with reposado, añejo and extra añejo tequilas, Diamante is also finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. You get the smoothness of a great cristalino, some añejo notes like vanilla and fruit, and some lively citrus, thanks to the reposado.

Hornitos Añejo Cristalino

If you want to try a more affordable cristalino, try this one from Hornitos. It starts as Hornitos' Añejo, which spends over a year in American white oak barrels. It's then carbon-filtered to make a cristalino that's much smoother and sweeter than its price tag would suggest. This is great to try in cocktails.

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Cristalino

Another excellent cristalino at a more affordable price is this one Reposado Cristalino from Jose Cuervo Tradicional. The blend includes three different tequilas: Tradicional Reposado, Tradicional Añejo, and even some Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo. This is another surprisingly sweet one, with hints of ripe fruit, nuts and caramel, and works really well in any tequila cocktail.