I’ve been writing about alcohol professionally for 14 years now, and only recently did I learn that Tequila Volcano, or Volcán de Tequila, is a real thing. Admittedly, it sounds like something a frat would make up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
It turns out that the 3000m-tall volcano is very real, and its eruption 200,000 years ago is big reason why the state of Jalisco grows amazing agave. Volcan De Mi Tierra, an ultra-premium tequila brand from Mexico’s historic Gallardo family and LVMH, capitalizes on that explosive past with an incredible lineup of tequila.
The fire beneath the flavor
Volcan’s magic starts underground—where ancient lava did its thing and left behind mineral-rich soil perfect for blue agave. The brand uses agaves from both the Lowlands (earthy, spicy, bold) and the Highlands (floral, fruity, fancy) to make its tequilas.
The lineup started back in 2017 with a Blanco ($53) and a Cristalino tequila ($73). The former combines both the Highland and Lowland agave in a single bottle for a unique, layered spirit that is far from your run-of-the-mill unaged tequila, while the later combines Reposado and Anejo tequila, then filters it for a clear-yet-aged drink that exudes sophistication.
Volcan later added a standalone Reposado ($69) to the lineup, but the X.A and Blanco Tahona bottles are where things get really interesting.
A new type of top shelf tequila
Volcan Blanco Tahona ($150) is truly an old school tequila. It’s made from Lowland agaves, roasted in a brick clay oven, milled entirely by tahona (a giant stone wheel), then naturally fermented and distilled in a copper pot still.
Blanco Tahona has a silvery appearance and a distinctive herbal profile, with spicy notes, as well as subtle hues of cooked agave, dulce de leche and almond with a hint of light smokiness that reminds us on the artisanal process behind it.
Then you have Volcan X.A. ($185), which stands for Xtra Assemblage. It combines Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo tequilas and ages it in proprietary barrel known as a Grace Cask. The blending skills that Moet Hennessy perfected over its long history making cognac is on full displace in this unique spirit.
The Reposado base brings the right level of sweetness and smoothness, while Añejo and Extra-Añejo add aromatic elegance and complexity. A subtle recipe kept secret by the Master Distiller. Volcan X.A reveals a perfect balance of cooked agave, hints of spices and sweet aromas such as notes of vanilla, caramel and dried fruits.
Final thoughts on Volcan tequila
Volcan de mi Tierra’ isn’t trying to outshine other tequilas with gimmicks or celebrity backing — although it was the official tequila sponsor of Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. It’s letting the soil, the spirits, and the volcano do the talking. Admittedly, I haven’t been this excited about a geological formation since Will Ferrell sang Volcano Man.
