RS Tasting: Grand Mayan Extra Añejo
Grand Mayan Extra Añejo has been around for about a decade, but has flown somewhat under the radar in comparison to a tequila like Clase Azul, which occupies a similar orbit in the tequila-sphere. I’ll come back to this comparison.
I first became aware of Grand Mayan on tequila forums (remember forums?), where it received praise for being delicious, and an exceptional value for an extra añejo. For the uninitiated, extra añejo denotes a tequila that has been aged more than three years in wood. This amount of time in the barrel makes it the most expensive of the tequila expressions, turns down the vibrant agave notes, and generally brings up the sweeter notes like caramel and chocolate with a dose of wood. Over the years, Grand Mayan has made several changes in distillery and is now settled in Corporativo Destileria Santa Lucia. It remains an excellent value, especially considering the beauty of the bottle itself. The hand-painted Talavera bottle immediately makes you feel as though you are handling something special.
Is the tequila inside as beautiful as the bottle? That depends what you are looking for.
In the glass it’s a beautiful copper colour with thick legs. The nose is surprisingly subtle: floral honey with faint nutmeg. Moving the glass around, you may pick-up some nuttiness, fresh bread, even bubble-gum. On the palate, it’s sweet and woodsy, caramelized honey and walnuts, with a minty high note. The oak is very forward and swallows up much of the agave. The overall theme is sweetness and spice with a dash of cinnamon on the finish.
It’s good. One friend proclaimed, “this is the best tequila I’ve ever had.” If you appreciate Clase Azul Reposado, or Don Julio 1942, you should find Grand Mayan XA delightful. As stated, I like it a bit better than Clase Azul for it’s subtler sweetness and more honest flavour profile.
However, for some folks, it may still border on too sweet. Common with extra añejo, the agave gets lost in the aging. The flavours notes are pleasing, but Grand Mayan plays those notes hard and it is otherwise not very complex. It’s like a great pop song that anyone can dance to, and connoisseurs who are looking to experience a layered jazz concert with no auto-tune may find themselves unsatisfied after the initial sips. But, for most peoplem, it will be supremely enjoyable.
For me, enjoying this tequila is all about context. It became the après-ski sipper with friends by the fireplace and it was perfect. The beauty of the bottle is an instant conversation starter, and it feels special as you pour it for your guests. After a day outside in the cold, sitting by a roaring cherry-wood fire, looking out at pillows of snow on cedar trees, laughing at the antics of the day, the Grand Mayan elevated the whole experience.
On the bottle, Grand Mayan proclaims, Very Special Tequila, and I think that’s fair. The truth is, many better tequilas can be found for less money, but Grand Mayan does deliver on the special feeling, making it a great gift, or spirit to share at intimate get-togethers.
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