Subtle barrel nose until it opens and then it’s pretty nice. Caramel nose. Creamy palate with some vanilla and slight bitterness on the finish

Tasted at LOTECITO Dec 1, 2023 Released earlier this year 41.6% abv 25% sherry cask 75% reposado This is from a blend of Blanco that was supposed to be aged in sherry casks for 2 weeks. Along came covid and it was aged 18 months! Blended with a really good lote of repo (which lote grover?) this is well-balanced = dry fruits, citrus and barrel notes. I could sip this all day!!! amazing! and it's for a good cause = los perros! This is an amazing reposado! Very limited edition that was produced for a special wedding. There were two retailers who sold this originally in the U.S. they sold out in 5 (hrs or days?)! So, it's currently only available at Lotecito

This is higher ABV, so let it open up and breathe. Don’t rush it! When take your time it will reveal lots of interesting subtle aromas and flavors. The finish is moderately long. Some standard Fortaleza aromas are here, like butter and citrus. The sherry cask influence is a gentle touch, bringing some fresh fruit character to the aroma. The fruit and butter continues into the flavor. Price may be high, but with only 960 bottles available, it’s understandable coming from this legendary distillery.

Nose: The nosing took me by surprise. For whatever reason, my preconceived impression conjured up a vision of stodgy old men in silk smoking jackets, stiffly sipping sherry, with Chamber Music droning in the background… What I got was a playful, bouncy, lively aromas. You can dance to this tune. Fruity and spicy. Dense ripe fruit, dried fruit. Vanilla, nutmeg, oranges. Teases of flinty minerals and white peppercorns. Flavor: Salty. Thick. Ripe peach flesh. Poblano heat. Almond/vanilla creaminess. There is weight to the style without being heavy. Some oak and barrel spice evident on exhalation as it blooms on the finish. Dangerously easy to sip.

I enjoy a good Sherry, so I really enjoyed this tequila. This has that Fortaleza profile and some dried fruit and nutty flavors coming from the sherry cask. There is some nice agave sweetness and some heat. This would sip nice with Crepe Suzette or an cinnamon orange Panna Cotta

Tasted during Additive Free Week

Tasted in Mexico during Additive Free Week. What a treat! I knocked some points for price and that on the flavor my personal preference isn’t for sherry cask, but this one is done well. Nice and complex with that sherry poking through even though it doesn’t totally overpower. Drinks slightly hotter than the ABV.

Loses points for price point.

This was outstanding. The longer I let it sit and open up the more flavor I experienced. It’s a beautiful example of what Fortaleza creates.

Lote 114-R

Just one day after meeting Guillermo Sauza at the Los Abuelos / Fortaleza distillery in Tequila MX, I found myself in an amazing bar in Tlaquepaque staring down a bottle of Amor y Perros, the most sought after tequila at this moment on planet earth. My pride refused the $45 USD per shot, and I considered breaking in to the cabinet to steal the almost full bottle while no one was looking, but a thought of a Guadalajara jail cell stopped my plan dead in it’s tracks. As the hour went on, several other patrons and I struck up a conversation about tequila and our Mexico trip. One gentleman, who hailed originally from England, demanded to buy me a pour after I described the tequila as the closest thing to heaven on Earth. I tried to refuse, but he insisted. And I’m glad I did. This tequila was amazing. Butter and agave and oak and sheer joy with every sip. I knew I should’ve flown into Guadalajara just to buy a few bottles when they were released. If you find this tequila during your travels, do yourself a favor, and indulge. You won’t regret it!

Has a stunning red hue to it. Pre-swirl I'm getting notes of sweet cooked agave, spices, cinnamon and carmal. First sip is good. 2nd sip even better and it opens up into a complex profile. Sweet cooked agave is present immediately, then a sweet flan/ creme brulee, butter, toffee and some barrel influence. But agave sits right in the center as the star. extremely good juice. I couldn't factor in value because I was gifted a pour from a buddy! Salud

Lote 114-R, bottled on 04-09-2023, tasted on 12-3-23. Color: light brown to brown. Aroma: at the beginning the wood note is quite astringent, impregnating and it also has a hint of petrol aroma, after 30 minutes in the glass it oxygenates & opens up. Orange bitter, cinnamon, slightly minty which helps a lot, toffee, light sweet agave emerges at the very end. Stone fruit sweetness. Palate: confirms aromas perceived, wood note is more active on the palate, astringent. Orange citrus. Thick mouthfeel. Finish is medium to long, light sweet cooked agave, orange citrus, cinnamon and astringent wood notes persist.

I don’t want to take points off for personally not being a Sherry fan because it is a well balanced product for what it is. That given, it finished very rich and Sherry forward but drank a bit hotter than I would expect. You can certainly find the Fortaleza profile through the finishing barrel which combined with the body was pleasant. I can see this being a favorite for some although it may be price prohibitive for many.