Pour 1800 Cristalino next to a glass of water and you would struggle to tell them apart. Then you take a sip and it is all vanilla, oak and dark fruit — the full aged-tequila experience, minus the colour. We tried it and it went straight onto our list of bottles to bring to a dinner party.
Where to buy 1800 Cristalino
Prices from each store's own website. Delivery and member deals are noted where we know them.
🇬🇧 UK
- £62.25 →
The Whisky Exchange✓ Checked 28 Oct
70 cl · Free delivery over £150
🇺🇸 US
🇨🇦 Canada
- CA$75.95 →
LCBO✓ Checked 2 Nov
750 ml · Ontario government liquor retailer; free shipping CA$50+
What it tastes like
Soft vanilla and caramel up front, a little red-fruit sweetness from the Port casks, then gentle oak and cooked agave on the finish. It is noticeably smoother and lighter than a typical añejo, which makes it dangerously easy to sip.
How it's made
It starts as an añejo: 100% blue Weber agave, aged in a mix of American and French oak, then finished in Port wine casks. After all that ageing, it is charcoal-filtered to take the colour out while keeping most of the flavour. That last step is what makes it a cristalino.
The 1800 name refers to the year tequila is said to have first been aged in oak barrels, and the tapered bottle is a nod to Mexico's ancient pyramids.
How to drink it
Neat or over one big ice cube is the move. If you want to be fancy, add a twist of orange peel. It also makes a very smooth, very grown-up Paloma — but honestly, try it on its own first.
The verdict
A brilliant bridge between easy-drinking blanco and serious sipping añejo. Prices swing a lot between countries and stores, so compare before you buy.
Quick questions
- What is a cristalino tequila?
- An aged tequila (usually añejo) that has been filtered, often through charcoal, to remove the colour from the barrel while keeping much of the flavour.
- Is 1800 Cristalino the same strength everywhere?
- No. The UK bottling is 35% ABV in a 70cl bottle; in the US and Canada it is 40% ABV in 750ml.