The Last Drop Release No. 40 Extra Añejo Tequila Review: Rarity Is Never Enough

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: Casa San Matias (NOM 1103)
• MASH BILL: 100% Blue Weber Agave
• AGE: 7 years, though 10-year-old tequila is in the blend
• YEAR: 2025
• PROOF: 92.6 (46.3% ABV)
• MSRP: $2,300. You read that correctly.
• BUY ONLINE: Legacy de Forge

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Probably no one. (Sorry for the spoiler alert.)

WORTH THE PRICE: Not by a long shot. I understand high prices for rarity and exceptional quality, but this did not meet my expectations for a tequila this expensive.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: A flat-out bust.

OVERALL: Let's start with this glamorous intro from a news release:

The Last Drop Distillers, curators rare and usually old spirits, has released an extra añejo tequila to mark TLDD's 40th release and first-ever tequila in the collection. The release contains only 435 bottles which carry a price tag of $2,300.

“For generations, Mexico’s most skilled tequileros have crafted spirits that capture the soul of the land. Yet, even in my decades at Casa San Matías, opportunities to shape an extra añejo of this rarity–exploring the nuances that come from experimenting with unique casks and innovative aging techniques–are extraordinary,” said Carmen Villarreal, tequilera at Casa San Matias. “I am immensely proud of the depth and elegance of this liquid. To see it selected by The Last Drop, and to contribute as a member of The Assembly to its release, is both humbling and inspiring.”

Three casks were chosen: two aged 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels and one aged 7 years in a port pipe. Final selections were blended by Villarreal. Each 700ml bottle is individually numbered and signed by Villarreal. Bottles also are presented in a wooden case with a 50ml miniature, a tasting book, cork stopper and set of wooden coasters. The Last Drop Release No. 40 Extra Añejo Tequila will be released in limited quantities through Sazerac’s United States and global distributor networks, which will ship to retailers, bars and restaurants and in limited supplies via Legacy de Forge.

My take: Out of the gate, the nose serves up white pepper, cooked agave and honeysuckle. Further sniffs reveal agave nectar, cotton candy, toasted oak, fresh raspberry (thanks to that port pipe) and lemon peel. A deeply caramel aroma plus roasted pineapple ensures the nose goes on forever ... but we do drink these things, so on to that.

The palate is far less dazzling, unfortunately. Though starting out lightly honeyed, it shifts quickly to dry and vaguely piney. Dried lemon and lime peels are commingled with dried flowers to create an overall tart and tangy presentation. There is no finish flavor at all, and the only texture is tannic dryness that leaves me eager for water. This liquid is over-oaked; not at all a pleasant drink of naturally supple tequila. How it skipped from amazingly aromatic to bone dry and tart is a conundrum solvable only by a spirits chemist.

Not even in my wildest lottery-winning dreams would I pay $2,300 for this tequila. Knowing what I know now, I'd not pay $2.30 for it. I've had other Casa San Matias tequilas that are fine and nicely affordable; a decent 4-year extra añejo I had some years ago cost me circa $40, if memory serves correctly.

What made this brand believe that this liquid was special at all, much less so great that anyone slapped $2,300 price tag on it? Age and rarity? Both only go so far because often, overaged sprits become "rare: when someone figures out they should never go into a bottle on their own. That great tequila is easy to find for as little as $60 a bottle makes me wonder if the crew at Casa San Matias ever compared this offering with anything in the market.

A generous friend (here's looking at you, Tim Beach) shared a 50ml sample of Fuenteseca Extra Añejo that was 7 years old and cost him $299. Though a little oaky for this blanco fan, it's still rich and balanced nicely between agave flavors it began with and wonderfully oxidized notes created during that long barrel rest. It is a fine tequila, especially for those who liked aged iterations, and it's just less than one-tenth price of this Last Drop release.

Writing what I have likely ensures this will be the last drop of anything I receive for review from The Last Drop Distillers. So I'll summarize simply:

Don't. Buy. This. Tequila.

BRAND NOTES

APPEARANCE: A captivating golden amber hue with subtle coppery-pink reflections.

NOSE: Roasted nuts and spiced oak, followed by waves of tropical pineapple and vanilla. Floral notes of orange blossom and jasmine add a fresh lift, balancing richness with elegance.

PALATE: Creamy dulce de leche and cooked agave open, followed by plums, dates and a hint of green jalapeño skin. A warming cinnamon and clove tingle emerges, underpinned by floral sweetness and toasted oak.

CONCLUSIONS: This tequila encapsulates the essence of time and the land; a masterful balance between the spiced oak notes, the richness of dried fruits, and the freshness of the native agave plant.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.