Review: Qui Platinum Extra Anejo Tequila
Review: Qui Platinum Extra Anejo Tequila
Following in the footsteps of Maestro Dobel and Don Julio 70 comes Qui, a clear-as-a-bell tequila that has nonetheless been well-aged in oak barrels.
Qui markets itself as the world’s first extra anejo tequila, distinguished from Don Julio (anejo) and Dobel (a blend of various age tequilas). It also distinguishes itself by being pretty darn good.
Qui is 100% Highlands double-distilled agave which is aged for 3 1/2 years in ex-Bourbon and Bordeaux barrels before being filtered to white. Lots of agave on the nose, plus hefty caramel notes. The body is complex and rich, speaking both to the plant and the aging regimen. Here, the caramel takes on more of a butterscotch note, with a pleasant and complex vegetal note beneath it. This isn’t unpleasant but rather adds a savory character to the otherwise fairly sweet spirit, bringing it into balance.
Not at all racy or peppery, the tequila is a smooth sipper with almost no bite and a finish that recalls bittersweet chocolate.
I really love this tequila. While I can’t claim to understand what the need is to take all the color out of very old tequila — which should be gloriously amber — I commend Qui for doing such a good job at it.
80 proof.
A / $60 / quitequila.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS] [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
Qui Platinum Extra Anejo Tequila
$60
I would say the intent of filtering it 9 times and distilling it 3 was to attain the luxurious smoothness it boasts. Not the removal of its amber color. That is merely a secondary yet unavoidable byproduct of the filtering process. One they might as well promote.