The iconic Mexican luxury house, Clase Azul México — highly regarded for both its hospitality and distillates — is an exemplary choice for tequila connoisseurs. Across its impressive roster of distillates, there are styles of tequila that represent all levels of aging and flavor profile.

However, across its comprehensive range of Icons, one bottle in particular is lauded as the pinnacle of the Clase Azul offering.

Positioned as the “crown jewel” of the Clase Azul portfolio, Clase Azul Tequila Ultra is the company’s most time-intensive creation. The process that goes from the agave fields to aging and then bottling takes around 11 years, and results in a decanter filled with Clase Azul in its finest form.

This extra añejo (aged) tequila bares the fruit of this laborious effort, its sublime character greatly improved by the five years it spends inside American whiskey and sherry casks.

There’s an instant sense of quality, the liquid’s color a dark amber with copper highlights. It’s a full-bodied drink with aromas of sherry, dried plum, ripe cherries, maple syrup and intense oak notes. The palate is highlighted by toasted oak, cinnamon, vanilla, candied ginger and cloves.