On the nose; vintage, rancio, musty, cellar, tobacco, along with subtle cooked agave notes, caramel, slightly fruity, baking spices and barrel spice (bourbon influence) On palate; same as above plus anise, clove, pitted dehydrated fruits, white pepper. It does transport you to a humid cellar as you let this profile open up. Is a harmonious profile, but not to the level I was expecting (using Paradiso as my reference). Finish is medium/long but bitter. Points deducted for price $500-600 tag. Paradiso is as comparable on profile complexity for way less.

This loses points in value for the excessive retail price point (-4 points, from my typical score), that it's not very enjoyable to drink due to some bitter barrel notes (would maybe drink again, -3 points), and that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone based on the aforementioned (-5 points). This is an average tequila, in general, it doesn't really remind me of an extra añejo since it's only minimally aged, and it's a subpar anniversary expression. 19 for aroma. 25 for flavor. 21 for finish.

Enjoyed this but certainly price is silly. Will need another glass some time for full tasting notes.

On the nose, heavy oak and barrel spice, pepper. Good agave notes surprisingly. A bit of caramel, cinnamon. White pepper now. Vanilla. On the palate, lots of barrel spice. Oak. Definitely more oaky than I like. Whiskey notes, some toasted nuts. Very faint agave. Some cinnamon and vanilla. Overall very good, but I wouldn’t consider this 3x better than Paradiso, so definitely loses a ton of points. The $500-600+ sales price is a non starter for me. Absolutely not worth it imo. I can’t recommend this in good conscience, the price is just the pinnacle of absurdity in modern XAs. Very disappointed with the decision here.

Delicious, but barely aged as an XA. This is simply all about the barrel, and in all honesty, it's completely overpriced. if this was priced normally.. let's say $230 to even $250, I would be putting it at a 92-93, but because of the ridiculous price, I really should be putting it at 86... but I'll be generous and put it at 90, because it is delicious.

Very whiskey forward from the aging in Booker’s barrels, this has more in common with the bourbon itself than with any of the 3 previous Aniversario releases. Disappointment with this for me mainly stems from the cost that is over 3 times the shelf price of any of the prior releases. It also is aged for less than half the time of any of the others at just over 3 years. I realize I’m bucking the idiot influencers and Insta posters but this gets a middle finger from me and earned a can’t recommend and a 3 for value. I’m being kind. Thanks Paul Kizer for providing the sample which was shared with several others.

Agave forward, barrel notes of rich, silky, baking spice, creamy, light sweetness. Absolutely delicious … high price but it is exceptional

Nose and flavor of used barrel are there but did t last enough for me. I wish for this to be aged a little longer, like 2 more years longer.

At $500, this is almost an embarrassment. The regular El Tesoro Extra Añejo is far more superior, at a fraction of the cost. I have Reposados that would put this to shame. The 85th is one I Do Not recommend buying.

I was fortunate to receive this 85th anniversary XO as a gift. With the current market price $550, it would certainly not made it into my collection any other way. Pleasant on the nose, not much in the means of the previous barrel use. Agave is present in all aspects with an amazing creamy finish in the pallet. Wish this was aged a bit longer to really bring the Bookers profile forward.

Although very expensive MSRP, this is a great dram. super creamy viscosity, the nuttiness from the bookers 30th Casks come through and this is an agave bomb. lingering finish. really nice pour. At $450 this is a special occasion dram. But, with the current prices and secondary prices on the older anniversary releases, this isn't that bad of a value.

feb 18 2023 ET 85th Nose: strong presense of Kentucky bourbon whiskey caramel Palate: vanilla caramel bourbon agave Finish medium with lingering flavor this is a very good tequila and one that bourbon whiskey drinkers would enjoy. I feel honored to have been given a sample to try. I would gladly sip this when in the mood for an XA IF it was gifted to me, but at $500+ it is not an option for me. giving a 3 for value because of the price tag

It was good but for the price way over hyped. There are better affordable options I would rather drink. Still very good but didn’t meet the hype for me.

Slightest Vanilla taste, Caramel, Oak, Cooked Cherries, Tobacco, very Ripe Banana, Dark Chocolate, dark fruit. Strong agave presence. Price hurts this one, I had 4 2 oz pours and it just gets better with each glass