A tequila lovers’ guide to Patrón El Alto

The newest and most luxurious expression from the world’s number-one tequila producer is incredibly smooth, sweet and bold. Meet Patrón El Alto.

Forget tequila shooters and margaritas. Those who have sipped upon the world’s best tequila know this agave spirit is best served neat or on ice in crystal glassware and enjoyed at a leisurely pace beneath a balmy sun. Its status as a top-shelf spirit is defined by its meticulous craftsmanship, lengthy aging processes and the rarity of its finest expressions. And, beyond its party connotations, tequila is low in sugar and gluten-free and contains certain compounds that can even aid digestion and metabolism. It’s the spirit of choice for elevated celebrations and late-night soirees – and Patrón has produced a new addition worthy of any top shelf: El Alto.

What is Patrón El Alto?

Patrón El Alto represents the pinnacle of top-shelf tequila. This extraordinary expression is crafted exclusively from the finest 100% Weber Blue Agave, sourced from the highest elevations of Jalisco in Mexico. These elevated terrains yield agave of exceptional sweetness, forming the foundation of Patrón El Alto’s smooth and complex profile. Blending rare Extra Añejo with meticulously aged Añejo and Reposado tequilas, this masterful creation represents four years of refinement.

Craftsmanship and tradition

In an era of mass production, Patrón remains devoted to time-honoured craftsmanship, producing the El Alto expression using the Tahona method, an artisanal process rarely seen in modern tequila-making. A two-tonne volcanic stone gently crushes the baked agave, extracting its richest flavours while preserving the natural sweetness of the plant. Every step, from fermentation to distillation, is executed with precision, using only pure agave, natural spring water and proprietary yeast.

Tasting notes

Patrón El Alto offers a rich and layered palette that features delicate notes of dried figs, honey and caramel complemented by whispers of vanilla and toasted oak. This spirit is aged in a selection of 11 different barrels, including hybrid casks of American and French oak, which impart a warmth and complexity. It’s a silky, refined and elegant spirit.

How to identify a high-quality tequila

• Smell gradually: Slowly bring the glass to your nose rather than abruptly putting it to your face to avoid overwhelming your senses.
• Neutralise your senses: Smell the back of your hand or arm between sniffs to reset your sense of smell.
• Inhale through the mouth: Hold the glass to your nose but inhale through your mouth. This helps detect different taste notes beyond aroma, such as sweetness from caramel or toffee.
• Taste in small sips: The first sip is always harsh, so take a small sip, hold it in your mouth for four seconds, and then swallow.
• Chew or exhale: Chewing as though you have gum in your mouth after swallowing enhances saliva production, which helps break down alcohol. Exhaling immediately reduces the harshness of alcohol fumes. This will help ‘season’ your palate to better detect more complex flavours.
• 100% blue weber agave: Look for tequilas labeled ‘100% de agave’, as opposed to mixto tequilas, which contain other sugars.
• Additive-free production: High-quality tequilas avoid additives such as colouring, glycerin or artificial oak flavours. Additive-free tequila ensures purity and transparency in production.
• Origin matters: Smaller distilleries that focus on fewer brands typically ensure better quality control.
• Agave sourcing: High-quality tequilas use agaves grown in specific regions (e.g., highland Jalisco agaves provide sweeter, more complex flavours).
• Maturity of agave: The best tequilas use agave harvested around six to seven years of age, when sugar content peaks.
• Sustainable practices: Quality brands respect the land, avoid overproduction and aim for environmentally conscious methods in cultivation and fermentation.

The Signature review

Smooth, sweet and without the bite typically associated with tequila, El Alto is an elegant blend that can be enjoyed straight from the glass at room temperature or in a margarita. Delivering a pleasantly heavier texture on the palate than one usually expects from this agave spirit, the undertones of caramel and toffee emerge boldly from the second sip and continue to develop throughout the experience. A spirit worthy of any discerning collector’s top shelf.

Where to buy Patrón El Alto

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Patrón El Alto is now available in select high-end venues, such as 25 Merivale bars and restaurants in Australia, and select retailers. In Australia, it can be found at Dan Murphy’s from RRP $315 per 750ml bottle. Whether enjoyed neat or as the foundation of an elevated cocktail experience, Patrón El Alto is an extraordinary spirit worthy of the most discerning palates.