Review: Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2019
For as long as I’ve been drinking whisky, I’ve also been drinking Tequila. As with many other whisky enthusiasts, my whisky journey started with the major players: blends from Johnnie Walker and Dewar’s, and single malts from The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and The Macallan. My Tequila journey mirrored that, as I was first introduced to Patron and Don Julio.
Over time, I would explore more Tequila brands and eventually learn about Tequila production methods. I discovered that many of the big brands were using cost cutting shortcuts to produce an inferior product in favor of their bottom line, and that these brands were using additives to try and mask their inferior product. Upon this discovery, I made it a point to only explore brands that were producing Tequila using traditional production methods and without the use of additives. Brands such as El Tesoro, Fortaleza (known as Los Abuelos in Mexico), G4, and Tequila Ocho. After trying Tequilas from these producers, I had my light bulb moment. I realized how good Tequila – real Tequila – could be, and I fell in love with the spirit the same way I had fallen in love with Scotch when I first discovered peated single malts.
For my first Tequila review, I’ve decided to revisit one of my favorite Tequilas, from one of my favorite producers: Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2019. Launched in late 2019, this limited release from Fortaleza marries Tequila aged in used American whiskey barrels for 6 months with Tequila aged in new French oak barrels for 11 months. Only 5,184 bottles of Fortaleza Winter Blend 2019 were released worldwide, and this bottling was the first of what has become an annual release that varies in specification from year to year, with each release making use of a range of casks.
Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2019 Specifications:
- NOM: 1493.
- Spirit: Tequila.
- Classification: Reposado.
- Region: Jalisco, Mexico.
- Age: 6-11 Months.
- ABV: 45.7% (91.4 Proof).
- Cask Type: Matured in used American whiskey barrels and new French oak barrels.
- Other: Additive Free.
- Price Paid: $80.99 for 750 mL.
Tasting Notes:
- Color: Gold.
- Nose: Cooked agave, vanilla, green bell peppers, grapefruit, and a hint of lemon.
- Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with notes of cooked agave, a heavy dose of vanilla, toasted oak, tellicherry peppercorns, green bell peppers, citrus (grapefruit, lemon oil, orange zest), mint extract (peppermint, spearmint), cinnamon, and caramel.
- Finish: Long and lingering with a ton of vanilla, pepper, and mint. Agave syrup and more cinnamon, caramel. A hint of milk chocolate.
Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend 2019 sold out immediately upon release, and for good reason – it’s one of the best Tequilas I’ve ever tasted. I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on each subsequent release, and while they’ve all been excellent, Winter Blend 2019 still ranks as my favorite in the series to date.
Rating: A+ (97–100%).