One of only 2,000 bottles ever produced, Volans 6 Year Extra Anejo is a rare highland tequila aged entirely in formerly bourbon-soaked American White Oak, the result of six patient years and the vision of fourth-generation master distiller Felipe Camarena.

Crafted at NOM 1579 in the cool highlands of Jesus Maria, Los Altos, this additive-free extra anejo begins with 100% blue agave and a hand-blended mix of rain, spring, and well water. Just 10 barrels were filled in January 2016, each lightly charred and carrying the warmth of their bourbon past into every drop. The labels themselves are hand printed and hot stamped at a century-old print shop in Guadalajara, making each bottle a piece of artisan craft from cork to glass.

• Nose: Pure highland agave, peppery oak, soft caramel, and grilled pears
• Palate: Roasted agave and dark honey open into cinnamon and cardamom spice, citrus-scented almond cookies, and cocoa powder, with faint herbal and olive notes rounding out the back end
• Finish: Slightly dry with lingering oak and agave that stays with you for minutes after the last sip

This is a sipper first and foremost, but its depth of spice and sweetness makes it a stunning base for an elevated Old Fashioned or a refined Oaxacan-style cocktail when paired with a touch of smoky agave spirit.

Best enjoyed neat or over a single large ice cube to let the complexity unfold; a 100% agave extra anejo from the highlands of Los Altos, Jalisco, verified additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker.