Bourbon & Tequila Collide
4 Reposado & Añejo Tequilas Aged in Bourbon Barrels! I
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Bourbon Meets Tequila – Our Cinco de Mayo Barrel-Aged Crossover
What happens when bourbon lovers take a detour through Jalisco? Chaos, laughter, and some seriously good tequila.
In this Tortured Bourbon Cinco de Mayo special, Heather and Katie toss out the margarita mix and pick up Glencairn glasses for something a little different: tequila aged in bourbon barrels. That’s right—this isn’t your spring break tequila tasting. This is agave with a Kentucky soul, and it’s every bit the flavor collision you’d expect when the ladies are left unsupervised and B is stuck behind the camera.
Whether you’re a bourbon drinker looking to branch out or a tequila fan curious about what a little charred oak can do, this episode delivers a bourbon-meets-tequila tasting experience that’s bold, unexpected, and dangerously drinkable.
The Barrel-Aged Tequila Lineup
We rounded up four barrel-aged tequilas that bring bourbon influence to the agave world. These aren’t novelty bottles — they’re serious pours with deep roots and complex character. Here’s what we tasted:
Corazón de Agave Reposado
Aged in: Colonel E.H. Taylor bourbon barrels (Buffalo Trace)
Distillery: Casa San Matías
Tasting Notes: Warm spice, vanilla, toasted oak, and toffee.
Vibe: Like E.H. Taylor took a flamenco lesson in Jalisco.
Tequila Ocho Reposado
Aged in: Ex-American whiskey barrels
Distillery: La Alteña, by Carlos Camarena (now part of Heaven Hill)
Tasting Notes: Earthy agave, dried fruit, cracked pepper, and citrus peel.
Vibe: A bourbon lover’s farm-to-glass tequila… with a mariachi band.
Tres Agaves Añejo
Aged in: Used American bourbon barrels for 18 months
Distillery: Tres Agaves (organic-certified)
Tasting Notes: Toasted oak, caramel, baking spices, and dried citrus.
Vibe: A deeper, darker pour for bourbon drinkers who want complexity.
Código 1530 Reposado
Aged in: Napa Valley Cabernet and ex-bourbon barrels
Distillery: Código 1530 (George Strait is a partner)
Tasting Notes: Red wine tannins, vanilla, cooked agave, and toasted oak.
Vibe: Bourbon meets wine country. A pour that basically sings “Amarillo by Morning.”
Heather, Katie, and the Barrel-Aged Mayhem
This episode flips the usual Tortured Bourbon script. With B off-screen, Heather and Katie take the reins—bringing a fresh vibe, fierce opinions, and just enough friendly chaos to make the tasting both informative and hilarious. Katie, our resident Aussie and agave enthusiast, keeps the pours honest and the budget tighter than a bottle cork in summer heat.
And yes, there’s still plenty of bourbon talk. From mash bills to barrel aging, the bourbon DNA in these tequilas is strong—and we break down exactly how that influence shows up in the glass.
But Wait, What Is Cinco de Mayo Really About?
Spoiler alert: It’s not about tacos (but we’re not mad at them). We take a quick detour into history to talk about what Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates—the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla—and how it became a cultural celebration in the U.S.
So yes, we’re drinking tequila. But we’re also learning something. See? It’s educational.
Why Bourbon Drinkers Should Try Barrel-Aged Tequila
Barrel-aged tequila—especially reposado and añejo—can offer a familiar experience for bourbon lovers:
You get vanilla, oak, and spice from the wood.
You’ll taste complexity and depth that goes beyond blanco tequila.
It’s an ideal gateway if you’ve never sipped tequila neat before.
And if you’re already a fan of both spirits? Well then this is your Avengers: Endgame moment.
Watch the Episode
Check out the full episode on our YouTube channel and watch Heather and Katie do what they do best: taste, talk, and occasionally take shots at each other (figuratively… mostly).
