Clase Azul Tequila
The Ultimate Guide to Clase Azul Tequila
The first time you see a Clase Azul bottle, you know youâre in for something special. Its hand-crafted ceramic decanter is practically Mexican folk art, and the beautyâs not just on the outside - whatâs inside will make you fall in love with tequila all over again.
If youâre ready to explore Clase Azulâs premium allure, from its origin story to how to drink it (hint: slowly), read on.
Image courtesy of Clase Azul
Join Whiskymofo for exclusive member pricing on Clase Azul.
What Makes Clase Azul Special
Quality Ingredients & Artisanal Production
Clase Azul is born from 100% organic Blue Weber agave harvested in the highlands of Jalisco. These agaves are no youngsters either; theyâre allowed to mature around nine years before harvest, soaking up the rich red soil and sunshine until just right. When harvested, the piñas (agave hearts) are then slow-cooked for 72 hours in traditional brick ovens to coax out deep, sweet flavours.
Fermentation uses a proprietary yeast, and distillation is done in copper pot stills the old-school way, ensuring a pure, rich spirit drop-by-drop. This painstaking, slow food approach to tequila-making is rewarded in every sip. Patience and tradition: it rarely under delivers.
Handcrafted Bottles & Mexican Artistry
Itâs worth reiterating how damn special these extremely collectible decanters. The design is inspired by Mexican Talavera pottery, and in the case of the Añejo (weâll get to that), the motif pays tribute to the Mazahua indigenous culture.
Local artisans mold and paint each and every ceramic decanter by hand - you can literally see brush strokes and feel unique variations with your finger tips that proves itâs not mass-produced.
But perhaps the most fun part? The bell. Yep, the ceramic topper on Clase Azul bottles has a tiny bell inside; give it a tap and it rings, announcing that a special tequila is being opened. And if you ring the bell, you have to take a sip - we donât make the rules.
Exceptional Flavour and Smoothness
Of course, all the craftsmanship in the world means nothing if the tequila doesnât deliver. Thankfully, Clase Azul tastes as spectacular as it looks. The slow cooking and careful distillation yield a spirit that is ultra-smooth and rich, and each expression has its nuances (more on that below).
Exclusivity & Authenticity
Clase Azul isnât produced in some giant distilling operation. Itâs made in relatively small batches, with a meticulous eye on quality. This, combined with the artistry and the brandâs cult status, means itâs often in limited supply and high demand.
Even the companyâs ethos reflects a respect for culture and sustainability: supporting local artisans with fair wages, replanting agaves, and generally not behaving like a soulless corporation. Tick, tick, tick.
Get notified when Clase Azul deals become available.
Clase Azul - A Guide to the Main Expressions
Whether youâre a tequila novice or a seasoned sipper, itâs worth getting to know the big three Clase Azul expressions: Plata, Reposado, and Añejo.
Hereâs what each has to offer (besides looking magnificent on your shelf).
Clase Azul Plata (Silver)
The Plata is Clase Azulâs un-aged blanco tequila, aka the purest expression of the agave, bottled straight after distillation (no resting in oak here). Donât let âun-agedâ make you think itâs raw or harsh, though. Clase Azul Plata is remarkably smooth and fresh, a testament to that painstaking production process.
In the glass itâs crystal clear (they even filter the spirit to ensure perfect clarity), and greets you with herbal and citrus notes: think fresh agave sweetness, a touch of orange peel and lemon, maybe a hint of cracked pepper.
On the palate youâll likely notice a soft vanilla sweetness intertwined with the earthy, vegetal agave flavours. Itâs light to medium-bodied, super easy on the palate, and finishes clean with a bit of lingering sweet peppery warmth.
While itâs the entry-level of Clase Azulâs lineup, thereâs nothing âbasicâ about it; this is a top-shelf blanco that will ruin tequila for you forever, in the best possible way.
Clase Azul Reposado
Reposado is arguably the flagship of the Clase Azul range - the iconic white ceramic bottle with bold blue paintwork, inspired by traditional Talavera pottery, that often serves as many peopleâs introduction to Clase Azul.
Reposado tequila, by definition, is tequila ârestedâ in wood. Clase Azul Reposado spends a solid eight months in ex-bourbon American whiskey barrels after distillation, taking on a soft amber hue and a flavour profile thatâs dangerously smooth.
Stick your nose in the glass and youâll get warm aromas of cooked agave, vanilla, and caramel, maybe a drizzle of toffee and a whiff of oak.
Silky and rich on the palate, youâll taste notes of creamy caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice, balanced by the agaveâs natural sweetness and a subtle woody underpinning from the oak. The finish is long, mellow, with a lightly sweet afterglow - a gentle reminder that youâve had something fine.
Savour it neat; trust us, mixing Clase Azul Reposado into a Margarita would be like using a Rembrandt painting as a dinner placemat.
This is the one to pull out for a celebratory toast or a gift to someone who has a deep appreciation for fine spirits. Just donât forget to ring that bell before you pour.
Clase Azul Añejo
Weâre in truly rarefied territory here. While Mexican regulations require a minimum of one year aging for an Añejo, Clase Azul takes it further; their Añejo is aged a generous 25 months in American whiskey barrels.
The tequila takes on a deep amber that could almost be mistaken for a fine cognac in the glass; on the nose youâll find layers of oak, caramel, and toasted oak spice on the nose, along with dried fruits (think raisins or fig) and maybe a hint of cinnamon and orange marmalade.
On the palate itâs an absolute cascade of flavours: toffee, dark chocolate, rich agave nectar, roasted oak, and spices like clove or cinnamon, all dancing together. The mouthfeel is velvety and warm; despite the richness, itâs still impossibly smooth, any edges well-rounded by time and wood. Itâs the kind of drink you close your eyes to fully appreciate, maybe paired with a piece of dark chocolate if youâre feeling decadent.
Clase Azul Añejo is decidedly luxurious and priced accordingly; this is a special-occasion spirit for most of us. If you ever get to taste this one, do so under the right circumstances: a relaxed evening, a great piece of music playing, maybe good company if youâre in the mood to share. The kind of moment youâll want to remember, just like the tequila.
Worth noting: There are even more extravagant Clase Azul editions beyond Añejo â such as Ultra or special Limited Editions, but those are extremely rare and come with price tags fit for royalty. Who knows though, maybe youâll see a bottle dropping or two dropping for one of our main eventsâŠ
How to Drink Clase Azul
To truly appreciate Clase Azul, youâll want to treat it the way you would a fine single malt or a well-aged cognac. Sip, reflect, and enjoy: thatâs how Clase Azul is meant to be experienced.
Use the Right Glass
If possible, pour your Clase Azul into a proper sipping glass. A Glencairn whisky glass or a snifter works great, as does a designated tequila tulip-shaped glass. If you donât have fancy glassware, even a nice wine glass can do in a pinch - anything with a bowl and narrowed top to trap the aromas.
Temperature Matters
Serve it neat at room temperature or only slightly chilled. If youâre in a hot climate, you might refrigerate the bottle slightly or chill your glass, but generally avoid loading your glass with ice. Itâll dilute that Jalisco sunshine.
Sip It
This might seem obvious, but to emphasise: sip it. Let it roll around your tongue. Notice the texture, the sweetness, the spice. Clase Azul has a lot going on, and if you just throw it back, youâre wasting half the fun (and lets face it, a lot of money).
Savour the Moment
Set the mood. Clase Azul is often enjoyed during special occasions or moments of indulgence. Maybe itâs a celebratory toast, a gift you received, or just a well-deserved nightcap after a long week. Perhaps pair it with some nice dark chocolate, or authentic Mexican food if you want to go all-in (few things are as luxuriously satisfying as a sip of Reposado following a bite of rich mole poblano).
Remember to Ring the Bell
As mentioned, for some editions the bottleâs cap has a built-in bell. Itâs become the Clase Azure ritual to ring it before pouring; a way to say âsomething special is about to happen.â Go ahead and give it a gentle ring, acknowledge youâre opening more than just a pretty decanter.
Clase Azul Value & Member Benefits
Okay, letâs address the elephant in the room: Clase Azul is not cheap. In fact, itâs one of the priciest tequila brands youâll encounter on the market. Youâll see Clase Azul Reposado in Australia retail at $350+, Plata around $289+, while the Gold and Ultra Añejo variants are significantly higher.
But if youâre looking to snag a bottle of Clase Azul at a best-in-market price, being a Whiskymofo member is the smartest move you can make.
As a member, you get access to exclusive deals and first dibs on rare bottles, at up to 40% off what they retail for elsewhere. Clase Azul, especially the Reposado and Añejo, absolutely qualifies as the kind of rare icon product that tends to sell out quickly when we have some available.
You might see limited allocations pop up (not for long), and being part of Whiskymofo means youâll be notified as soon as they do - so you can secure that elusive bottle of Clase Azul when we have it, without paying full RRP.
