Mijenta Anejo Symphony Series No. 3 750ML

Mijenta Añejo Symphony Series No. 3 is a highland tequila aged 18 months in proprietary multi-oak barrels, bottled at 45% ABV (750ml). What sets this release apart is its barrel construction: custom casks assembled from American oak staves sourced across four distinct U.S. forest regions — Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Virginia — a technique no other major tequila producer currently employs. The preceding release in the series, Symphony Series No. 2 Reposado, earned 98 points and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Los Altos, Jalisco, Mexico  |  18-Month Añejo  |  Distillery: Mijenta (NOM 1412)

Production & Heritage

Mijenta sources 100% Blue Weber agave from the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, an elevated sub-region known for mineral-rich volcanic soil that tends to produce sweeter, more fruit-forward agave. The piñas are slow-roasted in traditional brick ovens before distillation in copper pot stills. Where the Symphony Series diverges from Mijenta's standard añejo — which rests in a combination of American white oak, French oak, and French acacia barrels — is in its proprietary barrel program. The Symphony No. 3 casks are built from staves representing four American oak terroirs, and each stave is toasted over a low-burning chaufferette while being continuously misted with water, a process designed to open the wood's pores for deeper spirit penetration and draw out softer, more delicate aromatic compounds during the 18-month maturation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deeply roasted agave leads, followed by semi-sweet chocolate, dulce de leche, and caramel. Rose petals and a faint smoky undercurrent add floral and savory dimension beneath the sweetness.

Taste: The entry is silky, with cooked agave and vanilla arriving first. Mid-palate, chocolate and orange peel expand alongside rose petal and a touch of earthy grassiness. At 90 proof, welcome spice and heat emerge without overwhelming the agave core, while wood-driven tannins provide structural grip.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish shifts from initial vanilla-caramel sweetness toward agave reasserting itself over the oak tannins. Light bitter notes and burnt orange linger as the warmth gradually fades.

How to Drink Symphony No. 3

At 45% ABV, this añejo rewards neat sipping at room temperature; a few drops of water can help unlock the rose petal and chocolate aromatics hiding beneath the proof. It also holds its own on a single large ice cube as dilution reveals citrus and botanical notes reported by independent reviewers.

• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: The chocolate and roasted agave character pairs naturally with mole bitters and a mezcal rinse for a layered, smoky riff on the classic.
• Tequila Manhattan: Wood-driven tannins and vanilla sweetness integrate smoothly with sweet vermouth and Angostura, matching the cocktail's structure.
• La Rosita: The rose petal and orange notes echo the Campari and sweet vermouth in this classic tequila Negroni variation.

Best For

• Collectors following Mijenta's limited Symphony Series releases
• Gifting a tequila enthusiast who values experimental barrel programs
• Side-by-side tastings comparing multi-oak aging against single-barrel añejos
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or dessert courses

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Symphony No. 3 taste like? It leads with roasted agave, chocolate, and vanilla, then builds into orange peel, rose petal, and dulce de leche on a silky palate. Oak tannins and a touch of spice from the 90-proof bottling keep the sweetness in check through a medium-length finish.

How does Symphony No. 3 compare to Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva? Both expressions share the same highland agave source and copper pot still distillation, but the Gran Reserva uses a combination of American white oak, French oak, and French acacia barrels, while Symphony No. 3 relies on proprietary casks built from four regional American oak staves. Reviewers on Agave Matchmaker frequently cite the Gran Reserva as their benchmark when evaluating Symphony releases, noting the No. 3 takes a different oak-driven path to complexity.

Is Symphony No. 3 good for sipping neat? Yes — the 45% ABV provides enough proof to carry the layered chocolate, agave, and floral notes without excessive heat, making it well-suited for neat or with a few drops of water.

Where is Symphony No. 3 made? It is produced at Mijenta's distillery (NOM 1412) in the Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, a high-altitude region prized for its volcanic soil and the sweeter agave it produces.

What foods pair well with Symphony No. 3? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cacao and dulce de leche notes. Mole negro echoes the roasted, earthy complexity. Aged Manchego or Gouda mirror the caramel sweetness. Grilled stone fruit with a honey drizzle plays against the orange and vanilla character. Duck carnitas bring enough richness to stand alongside the oak tannins.

What sizes does Symphony No. 3 come in? Symphony Series No. 3 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Symphony No. 3 worth the price? It positions as a premium limited-edition expression within Mijenta's portfolio, priced above the standard añejo and justified by its proprietary four-state barrel program and 18-month aging. For collectors and enthusiasts drawn to experimental oak maturation in tequila, it occupies a distinctive niche with few direct competitors.

Why Symphony No. 3?

The defining feature here is engineering at the barrel level. By assembling individual staves from Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Virginia oak — each contributing different grain density, tannin profile, and flavor compounds — Mijenta creates a maturation environment that no single-origin barrel can replicate. The chaufferette toasting technique, where staves are slowly heated while being misted with water, is borrowed from high-end cooperage practices and opens the wood for deeper interaction with the spirit over its 18 months of rest. The result is an añejo that balances the sweet, fruit-forward agave character of Los Altos with structural oak complexity — chocolate, vanilla, and measured tannin — without veering into the over-oaked territory that plagues many extended-aged tequilas. For drinkers who want to understand how barrel science shapes flavor in agave spirits, this bottle is a compelling case study.