Fortaleza Añejo Tequila

This presents with a rather sour and minty aroma, alongside subtle hints of caramel and a more pronounced woody character. There's not a great deal of evident aging. The palate is sweeter than anticipated, featuring some of that characteristic Fortaleza smoke and vegetal notes mingled with green olive, pineapple, and caramel (stewed agave). The finish is pleasingly sweet. The balance is excellent, and it's wonderfully quintessential as a tequila. The mint reappears slightly on the palate, specifically with a spearmint quality, but it's not overpowering. The Fortaleza umami is present. I do wish for a bit more complexity to unify everything, particularly regarding depth of flavor over time, but the flavor itself is very good. I would happily drink this. It has some spice, but while potent, it isn't overwhelming. Some minerality appears but is well-managed. This isn't my absolute favorite drink, but it's very well-crafted. The green olive conceals any alcohol. From any perspective, this is an intriguing spirit. It's somewhat mild, but quite good in its interesting flavors that avoid common unpleasantries.

Savoring it neat. A lovely golden straw hue. It coats the glass well. The nose presents fresh oak, char, agave, earthy/mineral notes, brine, subtle caramel, vanilla, citrus, and fresh herbs. The mouthfeel is rich, creamy, and oily. The taste begins with roasted agave, caramel, fresh oak, and vanilla. A multitude of complex flavors emerge, including vegetal notes, brine, mint, hints of funky umami/yeast, cinnamon, and pineapple. The finish is pleasant and lengthy, with flavors evolving for over a minute. Sweetness, oak tannins, fruit, a touch of anise, mint, black pepper... and more. Remarkable. Among the most intricate tequilas I've encountered. It balances sweet and savory elements. Significant wood influence, yet light on vanilla, which I appreciate. It's somewhat expensive, but entirely worth the cost. Free of additives and of superb quality.

A truly delicious Añejo. It possesses all the qualities you'd seek in a fine añejo: sweetness from caramel and vanilla, a touch of oak bitterness, floral agave notes, and just the faintest hint of spice on the finish. It's remarkably smooth and easy to drink. My only reservations are its price and that I wish it were a bit stronger, closer to 90 proof. However, these aren't significant enough issues to prevent me from purchasing it again.

The aromas of caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, and cooked agave practically leap from the glass in this highly-regarded, perfectly-aged añejo. This tequila is so rich and complex, I detect notes of pineapple, peach, orange blossom, nutmeg, and raisin on the nose. Upon tasting, the full cooked agave experience continues with a thick, oily texture that coats the mouth pleasurably. Common flavors identified include butterscotch, caramel, toffee, citrus, and hazelnuts.

This is excellent. If you have any preconceived notions about tequila based on lower-end versions, this will change your mind. An initial aroma of grass and herbs, but the palate is where it truly excels. The taste is less herbal, moving into pineapple and some oak. It's oily and full-bodied, with a strong caramel presence. The finish is long-lasting. For around $65-75, this offers outstanding value. Thanks for the pour from a friend!

Pleasant nose with sweet and woody aromas. The taste is dominated by wood and pepper, finishing with some citrus. Minimal bite or alcohol burn, with good lingering complexity. The bottle and cork are appealing; unfortunately, my wife broke the agave-shaped cork, so this beauty now resides in a glass decanter atop our whisky cabinet.