Last Updated on: 5th April 2024, 08:31 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as an agave spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Fortaleza Blanco vs Fortaleza Blanco Still Strength in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Tequila is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Fortaleza Blanco vs Fortaleza Still Strength: Head-to-Head
Fortaleza Blanco: Distinctive for its green olive, agave, and citrus profile, offering a complex and luxurious sipping experience. Its rich, oily texture and long, warming finish make it a premium choice for those who wish to savor the essence of agave.
Fortaleza Still Strength: A higher-proof tequila that intensifies the agave-forward experience with bold flavors of ripe fruit, green olive, and a minerality. Its buttery body and long, earthy finish cater to aficionados looking for a robust tequila experience.
Verdict: Fortaleza Blanco and Fortaleza Still Strength showcase the art of tequila making through their rich, complex flavors and traditional production methods. Fortaleza Blanco is perfect for those who appreciate nuanced, agave-rich tequilas with a sophisticated profile. Fortaleza Still Strength offers a bold, intense experience, appealing to those seeking depth and a higher proof in their sipping tequila, states agave spirits expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top Fortaleza Tequila Selections
Fortaleza Blanco: A Premium Tequila for Savoring the Agave Essence
- Nose: Olive, agave, citrus, lime
- Palate: Olive, agave, mint, black pepper
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Cascahuin
Intriguing Aroma: Fortaleza Blanco opens with a unique bouquet of green olives, cooked agave, and hints of citrus (orange and lime).
Luxurious Mouthfeel: This tequila boasts a rich, oily texture that coats the palate.
Complex Flavor Profile: The taste unfolds with a delightful combination of olive, blue agave sweetness, ripe fruit, and a touch of mint, all balanced by a subtle peppery note. A hint of salinity adds further complexity.
Long, Warming Finish: The warmth builds gradually, followed by a lingering peppery sensation that gives way to subtle anise and agave flavors.
A True Tequila Experience: Fortaleza Blanco is crafted without additives, sweeteners, or flavorings, making it a pure expression of tequila’s essence. Its robust cooked agave character, balanced sweetness, and peppery heat embody what many consider the true taste of tequila.
Premium Sipping Tequila: This exceptional Blanco tequila is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate its complex flavor profile. Its high quality and price point make it a perfect choice for sipping, rather than mixing in cocktails.
Family Legacy & Heritage: Made in the same distillery as the historic Sauza brand, Fortaleza Blanco honors the legacy of tequila-making. The name “Los Abuelos,” meaning “grandfathers” in Spanish, is a tribute to the forefathers who established the Sauza tradition.
Fortaleza Still Strength: A Bold Tequila Experience for Aficionados
- Nose: Roasted agave, orange peel, green olive
- Palate: Agave, fruity notes, green olive, minerality
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks
- Similar to: Tapatio Blanco 110
Agave-Forward Aroma: Fortaleza Still Strength opens with a robust and inviting scent of cooked agave, noticeable even from a distance. Hints of orange peel, olive, and a subtle touch of ethanol complete the bouquet.
Luxuriously Smooth: This tequila boasts a rich, buttery body with a smooth and warming mouthfeel. The heat is present but balanced, avoiding an overpowering sensation.
Bold Flavor Profile: The taste explodes with intense agave and ripe fruit sweetness, accented by Fortaleza’s signature green olive note and a touch of minerality.
Long, Earthy Finish: The finish lingers with earthy tones, a pleasant alcoholic warmth, hints of black pepper, and a touch of salty caramel.
Beyond the Blanco: Compared to Fortaleza Blanco, the Still Strength bottling offers a bolder and creamier body, further elevating the tequila’s already impressive flavor profile. The higher proof contributes to a more intense and complex experience without sacrificing smoothness.
Savoring Still Strength: This exceptional tequila is best enjoyed neat to fully appreciate its depth of flavor. A large ice cube can be added to temper the heat slightly without compromising the taste. Be forewarned, after experiencing the richness of Still Strength, some may find traditional tequilas less satisfying.
Traditional Craft, Modern Availability: Fortaleza Still Strength is bottled at its natural proof straight from the still. Initially offered exclusively at the distillery, its popularity has led to wider availability.
Crafted with Heritage: Fortaleza stays true to time-honored methods. Agaves are cooked in stone ovens, crushed with a 2-ton tahona wheel, and fermented naturally in open air. Each bottle is hand-blown by artisans and capped with a unique design resembling the heart of the agave plant, making it a beautiful collectible.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Tequila | Price |
| Fortaleza Blanco | $55 |
| Fortaleza Still Strength | $66 |
Specs comparison
| Characteristics | Fortaleza | Still Strength |
| Type of Tequila | Blanco | Blanco |
| Aging length | None | None |
| 100% agave | Yes | Yes |
| Grinding method | Tahona stone | Tahona stone |
| Stainless steel tank fermentation | No | No |
| Wood tank fermentation | Yes | Yes |
| Cooking method | Stone/Brick Ovens | Stone/Brick Ovens |
| Double-distilled | Yes | Yes |
| Additives | No | No |
| ABV | 40% | 46% |
| Proof | 80 | 92 |