Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo Tequila 

Here is a comprehensive article about Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo Tequila’ — covering what it is, how it’s made, common questions (the “People also ask”), tasting profile, serving suggestions, critical reflections, and a conclusion.

What is Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo — Overview & Key Facts

Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo is the flagship “ultra-aged” tequila from Avión — one of their top-tier, luxury offerings. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)

Here are the essential facts:

• Origin & Agave: It is made from 100% Blue Weber agave, grown at high altitude (in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico) — agave that matured for 7 to 10 years before harvesting. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)
• Cooking & Distillation: The agave hearts (“piñas”) are slow-roasted for 72 hours in brick ovens — a traditional method meant to bring out caramelized, rich flavors rather than raw vegetal notes. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert) After roasting, the agave is milled, fermented, and double-distilled in pot stills, focusing on quality over volume. (Caskers)
• Filtering: After distillation, the spirit undergoes Avión’s proprietary “ultra-slow filtration” before entering barrels, aiming to yield extra smoothness. (Caskers)
• Aging Process: What distinguishes Reserva 44 is its extended aging — 43 months in large American oak barrels, followed by a final 1 month in specially selected “petite” oak barrels that are rotated daily. Total: 44 months (≈ 3 years and 8 months) of barrel aging. (The Barrel Tap)
• Alcohol / Bottle Info: Bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). It is often presented in a luxury crystal bottle, hand-filled and individually numbered — emphasizing its premium, limited-batch character. (The Barrel Tap)
• Category: As an “Extra Añejo” tequila, Reserva 44 belongs to the highest aging category (for tequilas aged 3 years or more). (Liquor.com)

In short: Avión Reserva 44 is a carefully crafted, small-batch, extra-añejo tequila built to deliver depth, smoothness, and a rich flavor profile — a premium sipping spirit rather than a cocktail mixer.

How Avión Reserva 44 Is Made — Process & Craftsmanship

To appreciate what makes Reserva 44 stand out, it helps to examine its production steps — from agave field to crystal bottle.

🌿 Agave Sourcing & Maturation

• The agave used are Blue Weber agave plants, grown at high altitude in Jalisco’s highlands (around 7,000 ft). High-altitude agave tends to produce more refined sugars and often yields more nuanced tequila. (Crush Wine & Spirits)
• The agave plants are allowed to mature for 7–10 years, ensuring their sugars and flavors are fully developed before harvest. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)

🔥 Roasting & Distillation

• Rather than quickly steaming the agave, Avión uses traditional brick-oven roasting for 72 hours, enabling slow caramelization of sugars and development of depth in flavor — leading to richer, more complex tones (vanilla, caramel, roasted agave) rather than raw, vegetal notes. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)
• After roasting, the agave is milled, fermented, and double-distilled, typically in copper pot stills, to yield a clean yet characterful distillate. (Caskers)
• Importantly, the distillate then goes through Avión’s ultra-slow filtration method before barrel aging — a step they claim enhances smoothness. (Caskers)

🛢️ Barrel Aging & Finishing

• The spirit ages 43 months in standard American oak barrels (often ex-bourbon barrels). This imparts deep wood-derived flavors — vanilla, caramel, toasted wood, spice — and gives the tequila a rich amber color and smoothness. (The Barrel Tap)
• After that, Avión performs a finishing step: 1 month in specially selected “petite” oak barrels, which are rotated daily, to maximize wood-spirit interaction and deep complexity. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)
• Finally, each bottle is hand-filled, hand-numbered, frequently packaged in high-end bottles — underscoring its limited-batch, artisanal positioning. (The Barrel Tap)

Tasting Profile — Aroma, Flavor, Mouthfeel & Finish

One of the most important parts for any tequila drinker: what does Avión Reserva 44 taste and smell like? Below is a breakdown based on multiple tasting reports, expert reviews, and aggregated flavor notes.

👃 Nose (Aroma)

According to critics and reviewers, common aromas (on first smell) include:

• Cooked / roasted agave — a reminder of the tequila’s botanical origin, even after long barrel aging. (Liquor.com)
• Oak, toasted wood, vanilla — from prolonged barrel maturation, suggestive of vanilla pods, caramelized wood, and light toasted notes. (The Barrel Tap)
• Caramel, butterscotch / toffee, light honey sweetness — sweet wood-derived scents that round out the aroma profile. (Marcas de Tequila)
• Warm spices: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg-like hints — some reviewers note spice undertones, adding complexity rather than flat sweetness. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)
• Nutty / toasted-nut / hazelnut / cocoa / dark-chocolate undercurrent in more detailed tastings — suggesting that deeper barrel-derived notes are at play. (Rare Tequilas)

🥃 Palate (Taste)

Upon tasting, Reserva 44 delivers a rich, layered experience:

• Initial entry: sweet oak-derived flavors — vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, perhaps a light maple or brown sugar sweetness forms the first impression. (Jensens Liquors)
• Mid-palate: interplay of agave and wood — roasted agave resurfaces, balanced alongside oak, toasted wood, perhaps a light leather or tobacco-like depth, giving the spirit body beyond just sweetness. (Liquor.com)
• Complex flavor layers: dried fruit, dark berry, cocoa / dark chocolate, spice — some drinkers report notes like dark berry or dried fruit (raisins, figs), cocoa or dark chocolate undertones, subtle pepper or spice (cinnamon, clove), even hints of tobacco or leather on extended sips. (Jensens Liquors)
• Texture & Mouthfeel: generally described as full-bodied, velvety, smooth, and slightly oily — a soft mouthfeel that’s more akin to a fine aged whiskey or cognac than a harsh blanco tequila. (The Barrel Tap)

🕯️ Finish

• Long, warm, lingering — many reviewers highlight a prolonged finish with oak, vanilla/caramel fading into cocoa or dark-chocolate notes, with subtle spice or pepper dying away slowly. (Liquor.com)
• Balanced sweetness and dryness — not overly syrupy, but sweet enough to comfort, yet with dryness from oak/spice that tempers the sweetness — giving a refined, mature finish rather than a cloying one. (cocktailscafe.com)

Overall, the consensus among reviews is that Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo is one of the rare extra-añejo tequilas where barrel influence complements — but does not overwhelm — the agave core, offering a sophisticated balance between agave heritage and barrel-aged elegance. (Liquor.com)

“People Also Ask” — Common Questions & Answers

Here are frequent questions people search about Avión Reserva 44 — along with well-supported answers based on available sources.

Q: What makes Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo different from regular tequila?

A: The primary difference lies in its aging and production process. Avión Reserva 44 uses 100% Blue Weber agave from high-altitude Jalisco, slow-roasts the agave for 72 hours, double-distills, then ages the spirit for 44 months (43 months in large oak barrels + 1 month in small “petite” barrels), which far exceeds the minimum aging requirements. This extended maturation and carefully controlled production create deeper wood-derived flavors (vanilla, caramel, oak, spice), smoothness, and complexity — elevating it from a simple drinking tequila to a premium, sipping spirit. (Distiller – The Liquor Expert)

Q: What is the aging time of Avión Reserva 44?

A: 44 months in total — 43 months in American oak barrels, then 1 final month in specially selected petite oak barrels rotated daily for better wood-spirit interaction. (The Barrel Tap)

Q: What is the alcohol content (ABV) of Avión Reserva 44?

A: 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof). (The Barrel Tap)

Q: What does Avión Reserva 44 taste like? What are its flavor notes?

A: On the nose: roasted agave, toasted oak/wood, vanilla, caramel, warm spices (like cinnamon/clove), sometimes hazelnut or chocolate undertones. (Liquor Boutique)
On the palate: a smooth, full-bodied profile with vanilla, caramel, butterscotch or toffee, roasted agave, oak, dried or dark fruits, dark chocolate/cocoa, spice, subtle leather or tobacco touches. Finish is long, velvety, with lingering oak, sweet agave, and spice. (Liquor.com)

Q: Is Avión Reserva 44 good for cocktails, or only for sipping neat?

A: While theoretically you could use it in cocktails, most reviewers consider Reserva 44 best neat or on the rocks, to appreciate its complexity, smoothness, and barrel-induced nuances. Its depth and rich character make it more suitable as a sipping tequila rather than a mixer for standard cocktails. (Liquor.com)

Q: What is the price of Avión Reserva 44, and is it worth it?

A: The suggested retail price is around US $130 (750 mL). (Liquor.com) Whether it’s “worth it” depends on what you expect: many tequila aficionados and reviewers believe you get genuine premium quality — a smooth, complex extra-añejo — whereas others argue that for the price, some other ultra-premium tequilas may offer even deeper complexity or more “traditional agave character.” (Marcas de Tequila)

Q: What distinguishes Avión Reserva 44 from other extra-añejo tequilas?

A: The distinguishing factors include its long and carefully controlled aging process (44 months), the use of high-altitude, fully matured Blue Weber agave, traditional slow-roasting, double distillation, hand-bottling and limited-batch production, and a finishing step in petite barrels that are rotated daily — all intended to maximize flavor complexity, smoothness, and balance between agave and oak. (The Barrel Tap)

Reception — What Critics & Drinkers Say

The reception of Avión Reserva 44 among critics, spirits reviewers, and enthusiasts has been largely positive — with some caveats. Here are the main strengths and criticisms:

✅ What People Like

• Balanced aging and agave character: According to a review from a major spirits site, Reserva 44 “achieves a balance between oak and agave,” meaning the wood influence enhances but does not completely overwhelm the agave qualities. (Liquor.com)
• Complex, layered flavor profile: Many praise it for its rich blend of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, nuts, dried fruit, spice, and subtle agave — a profile often compared to aged whiskey or cognac rather than a simple tequila. (Liquor Boutique)
• Smoothness & sip-friendliness: Because of extended aging and careful distillation/filtering, the tequila is smooth, mellow, and refined — ideal for sipping neat, without harsh alcohol burn. (cocktailscafe.com)
• Presentation & craftsmanship: Hand-filled, individually numbered bottles, luxury packaging, and limited-batch production give it a premium, collectible appeal — appreciated by both tequila lovers and gift-seekers. (The Barrel Tap)
• Value relative to competitors: Some reviews note that compared to other extra-añejo tequilas with similar aging or prestige (often more expensive), Reserva 44 delivers comparable quality for a sometimes lower or similar price — making it a “premium but accessible” XA. (Marcas de Tequila)

⚠️ Criticisms & What Some Don’t Like

• Price vs. perception for some purists: For tequila purists seeking raw agave intensity, vegetal notes, or peppery character — the heavy influence of barrel aging (oak, vanilla, caramel) may feel too “whiskey-like” and mask the agave’s original spirit. (Liquor.com)
• Meant for sipping; not ideal for mixing: Many reviewers caution that Reserva 44 isn’t suitable for typical mixed tequila cocktails — its depth and price make it more appropriate as a sipping tequila. (Liquor.com)
• Availability may be limited: Because it’s a relatively limited-batch, extra-premium tequila, it might not always be easy to find on regular liquor-store shelves — sometimes requiring effort or ordering online. (Marcas de Tequila)

Overall, for many enthusiasts and critics — Reserva 44 is considered among the top extra-añejo tequilas available, especially when judged as a sipping spirit rather than mixing tequila. (Liquor.com)

How to Use & Serve Avión Reserva 44 — Best Practices & Suggestions

Because of its age, complexity, and price, Avión Reserva 44 is best enjoyed thoughtfully. Here are recommended ways to serve and appreciate it:

🥃 Neat or On the Rocks (Preferred)

• Neat in a snifter or wide glass: This allows you to appreciate the aroma — oak, vanilla, caramel, roasted agave — and taste the layered profile properly.
• Optionally a few drops of water: For those used to whiskey, a few drops of water may open up more wood and spice notes.
• On a large ice cube (on the rocks): Slight chilling and dilution can soften the alcohol burn and highlight different flavor layers (oak, cocoa, dried fruit).

🍫 Pairings & After-Dinner Use

Given its rich, woody, sweet-ish profile, Reserva 44 pairs well with:

• Dark chocolate or cocoa desserts — the caramel, oak, and chocolate/coffee undertones complement each other.
• Aged cheeses, nuts, or roasted nuts — interplay with toasted-oak and almond/pecan/nutty notes some tasters detect. (Jensens Liquors)
• Cigars or pipe tobacco (if preferred) — for aficionados who appreciate that pairing, the tobacco, leather or toasted-wood notes in the tequila may harmonize.

🍸 Occasional High-End Cocktails

While primarily a sipping tequila, if you choose to mix it, do so in spirit-forward, minimal-ingredient cocktails where its complexity won’t be lost — e.g. a tequila old fashioned, or a high-end twist on a Manhattan or Negroni (substituting tequila for whiskey/rum). But many experts recommend reserving it for neat sipping to fully appreciate its craftsmanship. (Liquor.com)

Why Avión Reserva 44 Matters — Its Place in the Tequila Landscape

Understanding the place of Reserva 44 in the world of tequila helps to appreciate its appeal and significance:

• It represents an Extra Añejo defined by balance, not excess — many extra añejos either under-age or over-oake, but Reserva 44 seems to strike a middle ground where oak enhances rather than dominates. (Liquor.com)
• A bridge between tequila and fine aged spirits (whiskey/cognac) — for drinkers coming from whiskey or cognac backgrounds, Reserva 44 offers a familiar aged-spirit depth, but with agave character, opening tequila up for a broader audience.
• An example of craftsmanship and patience in tequila making — 44 months aging, traditional cooking and distillation, small-batch production, and careful bottling reflect dedication, not mass-production.
• A premium but not absurdly overpriced option within extra añejos — for those seeking high-end tequila without the ultra-luxury prices, Reserva 44 delivers value compared to many ultra-premium competitors. (Marcas de Tequila)

In other words: Reserva 44 stands out as a serious, well-crafted extra-añejo that appeals to both tequila lovers and drinkers of fine aged spirits, combining tradition and refinement.

Critical Reflection — Strengths, Trade-offs & What to Keep in Mind

As with any premium spirit, Reserva 44 has its strengths — and trade-offs. Here’s a balanced look:

✅ Strengths

• Complexity and depth — multiple layers (oak, vanilla, caramel, agave, spice, nuts/dark fruit) make each sip interesting.
• Smoothness & drinkability — well-aged and carefully distilled/filtered, it avoids harshness and is accessible even for newcomers to aged tequila.
• Craftsmanship & premium presentation — from agave selection to roasting, distillation, aging, finishing, filtration, and hand-bottling, it shows serious attention to detail.
• Versatility (as a sipping spirit and gift item) — works well neat, as a special treat, or as a gift for connoisseurs.
• Relative value — given its aging and quality, it’s competitively priced compared to other extra-añejos and offers a good “quality per dollar spent” balance.

⚠️ Trade-offs / Potential Drawbacks

• Aging may mask agave for purists — if you prefer raw agave flavor, vegetal notes, pepperiness, or minimal oak influence, the heavy wood-aging might feel like a departure from “traditional tequila flavor.”
• Not ideal for cocktails — most experts recommend sipping to fully appreciate it; mixed drinks may mask its nuances and feel like waste.
• Limited availability & price premium — as a small-batch, luxury tequila, it may be harder to find in many markets, and costs significantly more than standard tequilas.
• Subjective taste: sweeter, more “whiskey-like” profile — some drinkers may find it too sweet, oaky, or akin to whiskey/cognac rather than a “characteristic tequila.”
• Risk of inconsistent experiences — as with many barrel-aged small-batch spirits, slight batch-to-batch differences (barrel char, storage, blending) can lead to variation in flavor; some bottles may show more oak, others more agave or spice.

Who It’s For — Ideal Drinkers & Use Cases

Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo is a good match if you:

• Appreciate aged spirits (whisky, cognac) and want a tequila that offers similar depth, smoothness, complexity.
• Prefer sipping tequila — neat or on the rocks — and enjoy savoring layered aromas and flavors over time.
• Want a premium or luxury tequila to serve on special occasions or give as a gift.
• Enjoy dark, rich flavor profiles: oak, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, dried fruit, spice.
• Are open to tequilas that are as much about barrel-aging and craft as about agave purity.

You might want something else if you:

• Prefer pure, vegetal, peppery, “classic agave” tequilas — either blanco or lightly aged (reposado / joven) — where agave’s natural character is center stage.
• Plan to mix tequila in cocktails frequently — using a $130+ extra-añejo in a mixed drink may not be cost-effective or may mask its nuances.
• Prefer consistency over barrel-aged variation — simpler blanco or joven tequilas offer more predictable flavor.
• Are looking for a tequila with light price / everyday use — extra-añejos like Reserva 44 are premium and meant for special sipping, not daily cocktails.

Visual & Presentation — How It Looks & What It’s Packaged As

• The bottle is often bottled in a crystal or fire-polished glass bottle, individually hand-filled and hand-numbered, reflecting a premium, artisanal aesthetic. (The Barrel Tap)
• The color of the spirit — a rich amber / golden hue — signals its extended barrel aging. (Liquor.com)
• Due to its packaging and craftsmanship, it’s often considered a luxury / collector’s bottle — suitable for display, gifting, or special-occasion toasting. (Caskers)

Conclusion — Final Thoughts on Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo Tequila

Avión Reserva 44 Extra Añejo stands out as a refined, carefully crafted, and luxurious tequila — a product of patient aging, traditional methods, and artisanal care. It delivers a rich and complex flavor profile: a tasteful marriage between agave’s soul and wood’s depth — where vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, spice, nutty or chocolatey undertones, and subtle agave hemp together in a smooth, velvety spirit.

If you value tequila as a sipping spirit — similar to fine whiskey or cognac — enjoy complexity and subtlety, and appreciate craftsmanship, Reserva 44 is among the stronger choices in the extra-añejo category. Its long, layered finish and balanced interplay between agave and oak make it suitable for slow sipping, contemplation, or special occasions.

That said, it may not satisfy those who prefer raw agave character, peppery or vegetal intensity, or affordable mixing tequilas. Its premium price and limited batch nature, plus strong barrel influence, mean it is best treated as a special-occasion bottle, not everyday mixer.

In my view — Avión Reserva 44 is best regarded as an “ultra-aged sipping tequila”: a bridge between tequila tradition and aged-spirits elegance. For someone open to a richer, deeper tequila experience — it’s well worth trying.

If you like — I can pull up 5–10 alternative Extra Añejo or high-end tequilas (similar to Reserva 44) — with tasting notes and global availability — to give you a sense of comparable premium options.