Fortaleza Blanco Tequila

Fortaleza, as usual, offers a distinct perspective on tequila. This is a full-bodied, sweet tequila that highlights chocolate. It possesses a deep milk chocolate taste that combines with mulch, forming the essence of a somewhat perplexing experience. This certainly doesn't resemble a blanco. It's considerably less dry and sharp than Fortaleza Reposado, almost as if their labels were switched. There's a certain sharp quality here that could be identified as lime with a touch of dry pineapple. I'd say it's superior to the reposado, but not quite on par with the finest tequilas. Nevertheless, the flavor is rich and smooth, so it has its merits. Fans of Corralejo Reposado ought to try this. The faint off-flavor present here is unfortunately sufficient to place it below Espolon Blanco. Interestingly, based on its rich, robust, and well-rounded taste, I would have assumed this was at least a reposado, if not an anejo. Rich, with a creamy texture and a smoky undertone, featuring sweet nuances. It presents mixed vegetal and herbal notes with a hint of spice and some mineral undertones. Notes of green olive, lime, and raw pineapple are present, but not prominently. Lightly roasted coffee and bittersweet cocoa also emerge, along with some iodine suggesting tobacco. The sweetness transitions to dryness towards the finish, but the dryness isn't overpowering. There's a fair amount happening here, but no standout notes, and the flavors lean too heavily toward the rich side, which is unusual for a blanco tequila. Remarkably smooth, rich, and smoky with a sweet, slightly fruity backing and vegetal flavors. This character is surprising for a Blanco. It has a subtle mintiness in the finish. The flavor is rich, robust, and complex. Alcohol doesn't overwhelm it in any way. This is a very good tequila. Its complexity is akin to Arta Anejo (perhaps slightly less), but the flavors are generally superior. In some respects, I favor Cabeza's unadulterated tequila taste for its authenticity, but this is truly excellent in its own manner. This tequila is very smoky, with a rich, meaty, vegetal element that hints at egginess and decay. It has a certain sweetness, but it doesn't quite harmonize. This is an astonishingly rich tequila, with prominent smoke and a rancid meat character. Unfortunately, that latter aspect isn't entirely positive. There's some sweetness mingled with the smoke and vegetal notes, and some fruit also comes through. A peculiar tartness provides balance, and the overall result is both good and impressively rich for a blanco. It feels like a tequila that excels in specific situations rather than consistently. It's well worth sampling for its distinctiveness, but purchasing a full bottle carries some risk. The aroma consists of olive and oil. The brine is noticeable in the nose but not aggressive. The palate offers a surprising mineral presence alongside a clear brine with some savory oiliness. It's very much its own entity and isn't hesitant about it due to its assertiveness, though it is certainly a bit strange. Earthy and spicy notes are definitely present, along with some sweet fruitiness. It's a tad bitter and oily for my preference, but it works in a peculiar way. The finish closely mirrors the palate, maintaining complexity and avoiding any excessively bitter oddities. The oiliness lends it a hedonistic quality within the tequila flavor profile. It's quite good, but ultimately very oily and packed with green olive. There's no smoke detected, yet it remains rich and somewhat bitter from the vegetal notes. It's a solid offering, but doesn't break new ground. The sweet pineapple truly surfaces for a brief moment with larger sips, but the finish remains on the drier side. However, it's a bit too oily. I slightly prefer Cabeza for its cleaner flavor profile and substantial complexity.

Rating: 17/23 So, I have about 25 ml left. It's been exposed to a lot of air, which will definitely influence my assessment. I might forgo rating it if the oxidation had too significant an effect. Nose: Oily with abundant olive brine. A savory, vegetal quality emerges, introducing some funkiness alongside the herbal notes. I start to perceive greater balance and complexity, though I find it difficult to discern additional specific aromas. Palate: Oily with a fantastic mouthfeel. There's a generous amount of olive brine, though less than suggested by the nose. A spicy tingle appears along with mint, some minerality, and perhaps a hint of lime leaf. The balance here is superb, as is the depth. While there isn't extensive sweetness from the agave, I do detect a bit of that cooked vegetal character mingled with the limited sweetness present. The complexity is quite solid, though it could be more substantial. Finish: Full-bodied with some of that oily texture remaining. Rich and savory olive with not much brine. - Conclusion - This is a truly outstanding tequila. It falls short of a perfect score, but it's one of those spirits that captures and holds your attention. I'm leaning towards a 17. I can envision an 18, but a 16 seems improbable. I recently rated Fortaleza Reposado an 18, and this seems clearly inferior to that, so I'm settling on a 17 here. A newly opened bottle might reveal more, but this represents at least an improvement from my prior rating.

Compared directly with El Toroso, this is a very nice blanco. I've recently been moving away from the bourbon/whiskey world; it was an enjoyable experience, but I grew tired of the competition with the hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the Tampa area who camp out or have insider information on allocated bottle releases. And frankly, after tasting 100 bourbons, they all start tasting alike. Okay, enough ranting... Returning to this pleasant blanco. I did some research after purchasing El Toroso, which I found surprisingly good. I felt 'fresh and earthy' were the most fitting descriptors, and this Fortaleza has excellent ratings, so I decided to try it. The price was within my budget, and I managed to find a bottle, which apparently is difficult according to online sources. Who would have thought?? Anyway, I really like this one; it has a very natural, plant-like taste with an underlying hint of vanilla – probably the agave I'm tasting, but regardless, I'm very fond of it. After tasting Casamigos against this, I truly don't think there's a comparison. Casamigos is almost syrupy compared to these natural blancos. I eagerly anticipate continuing this tequila journey (which is where I began my spirits exploration many years ago). 8/19/22

I'm not usually one for blancos, as I really enjoy the character barrel aging imparts. However, this expression is a standout with a lot to offer. Fortaleza blanco Nose: A subtle smokiness Bright, sugary agave Cool cucumber notes A rich, buttery quality Palate: Silky, rich agave sweetness Briny olive Zesty lime Pure mineral water A pleasant spice on the conclusion A whisper of pineapple Black pepper Sweet, green vegetable tones A clean, well-rounded, and viscous mouthfeel This is how tequila ought to taste. And really, all spirits should be like this. Authentically made and skillfully refined over many years.

Notably, I'm new to tequila, but with three ice cubes, a shot of lime juice, and letting it rest for about 3-5 minutes, this tequila is incredible. Tried neat, you get notes of pepper, vanilla, and black licorice/anise. With ice and lime, the sweetness emerges, making it as smooth as any tequila I've ever had. It's almost dangerously enjoyable. So good.

This is my second evaluation of this spirit, using a different bottle: The initial bottle I sampled was heavy on minerality with an almost soapy conclusion. This current bottle displays considerably more agave sweetness. The mineral aspect is still present but subdued, and the finish is a beautifully integrated blend of agave and black pepper. The mouthfeel is surprisingly oily for a 40% tequila.