A bottle of new Cielo X laid down on the table.
For more than a decade, El Diamante Del Cielo has been busy establishing itself as a premiere name in the realm of top shelf tequila. Now it’s launching a new bottle that encapsulates just as much time in each and every sip. Cielo X is a luxurious extra añejo that spent 10 years aging in white oak barrels. Crafted and patiently matured by master distiller Arturo Fuentes, one of the industry’s most celebrated artisans, it is among the oldest–and priciest–releases of agave spirit this year. And we scored a first taste.
Is it worth the $800 suggested asking price? Let’s uncork its delicate decanter and find out.
The first thing to notice about the liquid is its burnt caramel color. It’s almost radiant in the pour, but not necessarily as opaquely dark as you might suspect of a spirit of this stated age. There’s also a surprising degree of layered nuance to the nose. This isn’t a single-note oak bomb. Instead, you’re treated to initial aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg, which open up to reveal candied apricot as it sits in the glass.
A considerable amount of confection carries over into the sip. It is a richly textured experience, dominated by vanilla and creme brûlée under fresh berry fruit. The finish returns to cinnamon, adding a final component of cracked black pepper to contemplate as it slowly fades off the tongue.
Although the juice is probably best enjoyed as a dessert dram, a subtle vegetal undertone from the matured agave holds true at its core. It remains, unmistakably, a tequila. And a Lowland one, at that. Sustaining this degree of clarity at such a lengthy age isn’t at all easy. There’s a reason why even the priciest of expressions on shelves today rarely brandish more than 5 years worth of oak maturation: it’s downright difficult to find balance at this point.
The overall elegance and multi-dimensionality of this product is a testament to the artistry of Arturo Fuentes. Before his journey in tequila began, the 30-year industry veteran spent time in Cognac as well as in the Champagne sectors. So he’s certainly no stranger to working patiently and deftly with wood.
He’s also well-versed in shaping sensational base spirit. At Fabrica de Tequilas Finos, where Cielo is distilled, Fuentes works on a handful of other notable brands including Cenote and the Nick Jonas-backed Villa One.
With El Diamante del Cielo, he fashions his tequila through a triple distillation technique, distinct from the double distilled industry standard. It results in a markedly delicate style of sipping spirit. And one that can evidently stand up to plenty of time in the barrelhouse.
For connoisseurs with deep pockets, Cielo X certainly won’t disappoint. It sits pretty–yet not ostentatiously–on a back bar, in a narrow decanter with a faceted stopper that evokes the heart of the agave plant. The Roman number X is etched across its backside. For those who want a taste of Fuentes’ laudable expertise at a much more attainable price point (around $53 a bottle), the flagship añejo from El Diamante del Cielo is a worthwhile substitute. Until you can get your finances in order, at least.
The range of liquids in the core portfolio of El Diamante del Cielo
