Fortaleza Tequila Reviews

Last Updated on: 13th May 2024, 06:46 pm

I have tasted and reviewed every Fortaleza Tequila release so you choose your next favorite!

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways from Fortaleza Tequilas

Exquisite Blanco Tequila:

• Fortaleza Blanco is celebrated for its pure expression of agave, enhanced by notes of green olives, citrus, and a hint of peppery spice. Its creamy texture and long finish make it a standout choice for sipping neat.

Enhanced Strength with Still Strength:

• The Fortaleza Still Strength offers a more intense version of the Blanco, with a higher alcohol content that amplifies its agave and fruity flavors. It’s ideal for those who appreciate a bolder taste and velvety texture.

Superior Reposado Experience:

• Fortaleza Reposado combines toasted agave with subtle vanilla and oak for a smooth, balanced tequila. Its rich flavor profile and medium to long finish position it as a top-shelf option for tequila enthusiasts.

Innovative Winter Blend:

• The Fortaleza Winter Blend stands out with its unique aging process in ex-bourbon and French Marsala casks, offering a complex blend of chocolate, cinnamon, and traditional reposado flavors, crowned as the Best New Spirit 2020.

Añejo Bridging Bourbon and Agave:

• Fortaleza Añejo merges the rich characteristics of bourbon and tequila, delivering a luxurious mouthfeel and a symphony of caramel, vanilla, and oak, making it an appealing choice for both bourbon and tequila aficionados.

Uncompromised Quality Across Variants:

• Each Fortaleza variant is crafted to exhibit the highest quality, from the Blanco to the Añejo, ensuring that each sip is an indulgent experience that respects the spirit’s integrity.

Sipping Recommendations:

• Fortaleza tequilas are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate their complex flavor profiles and superior quality, particularly with the premium variants like the Reposado and Añejo.

Conclusion:
Fortaleza tequilas offer a range of premium spirits that cater to connoisseurs seeking exceptional quality and distinctive flavors. Whether you prefer the robust taste of a Blanco or the refined complexity of an Añejo, Fortaleza provides a remarkable tequila experience that emphasizes the true essence of the blue agave.

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions from Neil Coleman, and online research, focusing on aroma, taste, finish, and value. In addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller.

Fortaleza Blanco: A Blanco Tequila Masterpiece

Fortaleza Blanco isn't your average silver Tequila. It's a top-shelf spirit that captures the true essence of Blanco and delivers an exceptional drinking experience.

Aromatic Allure: Expect a symphony of aromas - green olives, cooked agave, citrus - hinting at the complexity to come.

Creamy Perfection: On the palate, a luxurious body offers an amazing mouthfeel. The flavor explodes with cooked agave sweetness balanced by rich olives, ripe fruit, and a hint of peppery spice.

Lingering Delight: The finish is long and memorable, with lingering agave and a touch of anise.

A Must-Try for Agave Lovers: This is one of the finest Blanco Tequilas available. Its exceptional quality shines through best when sipped neat, allowing you to appreciate the full range of flavors. The perfect heat level makes it ideal for savoring the essence of blue agave.

Respect the Quality: While it can be enjoyed on the rocks, its exceptional quality and price make it a spirit best enjoyed neat. This isn't a Tequila to dilute in cocktails.

Fortaleza Still Strength: Blanco on Steroids

Fortaleza Still Strength takes their Blanco Tequila and cranks it up a notch. Bottled at near cask strength (46% ABV), it delivers a bolder and more intense experience.

Agave Power: The aroma explodes with cooked agave, hints of orange peel, olive, and a touch of alcohol.

Creamy & Warm: The texture is velvety smooth with a balanced warmth. Flavors are intense - agave, ripe fruit, Fortaleza's signature olive note, and subtle minerality.

Long, Lingering Finish: Expect a long earthy finish with a pleasant peppery tingle, hints of black pepper, and salty caramel.

Beyond Blanco: Compared to Blanco, Still Strength boasts a bolder, creamier body, making it even more sip-worthy.

Enjoyment Tips: Best savored neat, but a large ice cube can tame the heat without sacrificing flavor. Once you get used to the warmth, you might find regular Tequilas lacking.

Fortaleza Reposado: A Symphony of Agave and Oak

Fortaleza Reposado isn't your average Reposado. It's a top-shelf Reposado Tequila boasting an exceptional balance of agave and aged character.

Aromatic Allure: Forget bourbons! This Reposado explodes with toasted agave, vanilla, oak, and floral notes.

Smooth & Balanced: The taste is as impressive as the nose. Expect balanced flavors of agave, olive, butterscotch, vanilla, and oak, all wrapped in a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Lingering Delight: The finish is medium to long, leaving you with pleasant warmth and rich notes of agave, oak, vanilla, and a touch of black pepper.

Top-Shelf Reposado: Widely regarded as one of the best Reposado Tequilas, Fortaleza Reposado is a favorite among enthusiasts. Savor it neat or on the rocks to fully appreciate its distinct flavors.

Respect the Quality: This Tequila's high quality and delicate flavors are best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Mixing it would be a disservice.

Fortaleza Winter Blend: A Reposado Remix

Fortaleza Winter Blend isn't your typical Reposado. It blends Tequilas aged in ex-bourbon barrels with those aged in French Marsala casks, creating a unique flavor profile.

Aromatic Journey: The nose starts with cooked agave, giving way to subtle caramel, oak, and vanilla notes.

Sweet & Complex: The creamy texture delivers a delightful mix of ripe fruit, agave sweetness, and hints of vanilla, oak, chocolate, and cinnamon.

Lingering Delight: The finish is long and sweet, dominated by vanilla and oak with a gentle warmth.

Beyond Reposado: Fortaleza Winter Blend captures the essence of Reposado while adding unique chocolate and cinnamon notes, making it a sweeter and more flavorful option. No wonder it won Best New Spirit 2020!

Fortaleza Añejo: Agave Meets Bourbon Excellence

Fortaleza Añejo isn't your ordinary Añejo. This top-shelf Tequila bridges the gap between agave and bourbon, offering a complex and satisfying experience.

Bourbon-Inspired Bouquet: The aroma is a symphony of caramel, vanilla, oak, and roasted agave, reminiscent of fine bourbon.

Luxurious Mouthfeel: The texture is buttery and oily, coating your palate with a luxurious feel.

Agave Symphony: The rich agave flavor takes center stage, perfectly balanced with subtle vanilla, butterscotch, and a hint of oak spice.

Lingering Warmth: The finish is a delightful journey - pleasant warmth spreading to your chest, carrying notes of blue agave, pineapple, caramel, and oak.

Añejo Perfection: Considered one of the best Añejos available, Fortaleza Añejo boasts a tremendously balanced taste and a satisfying finish. Its agave character intertwined with familiar bourbon notes makes it a perfect exploration for bourbon lovers venturing into the world of tequila. This might just be the ultimate Añejo.

How did I review Fortaleza Tequila?

I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as an agave spirits distiller.

My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and Tequila expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.

I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.

Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

• Fortaleza is recognized as one of the top Tequilas, alongside brands like Siete Leguas, Tesoro, Ocho, and G4.
• Known for its pure agave flavor and absence of additives, Fortaleza is a top-shelf Tequila preferred by true enthusiasts.
• Crafted by Guillermo Erickson Sauza, a fifth-generation Tequila distiller, Fortaleza uses traditional small-batch production methods.

Uniqueness

• Traditional methods like cooking agaves in brick ovens, crushing with a tahona stone, and fermenting in open-air wooden tanks.
• This craftsmanship harks back to the essence of traditional Tequila production, offering an authentic experience.
• The use of a tahona stone is crucial for preserving the sweet flavors of blue agave, a technique common in mezcal production.

Specs

• 100% Agave: Yes
• Gluten-Free: Yes
• Keto-Friendly: Yes (zero carbs)
• Calories: 97 per shot

Pricing

• Blanco: Approximately $52
• Reposado: Approximately $65
• Añejo: Approximately $92

Where to Buy?

• Recommended online sources include Total Wine, Drizly, Caskers, and Old Town Tequila.
• Prices may vary, so it's advisable to compare prices for the best deal.

Drinking Suggestions

• It's recommended to enjoy Fortaleza Tequila neat or on the rocks, rather than in cocktails.
• Blanco: Rocks or neat
• Reposado: Neat or on the rocks
• Añejo: Neat or on the rocks (preferably with whiskey stones)

No Additives in Fortaleza

• Fortaleza does not use additives commonly found in other spirits, maintaining its natural flavors and aromas.

The Meaning and Pronunciation of Fortaleza

• Fortaleza means “fortitude” and is pronounced fohr-tah-leh-sah.

Ownership

• Fortaleza is Mexican-owned, founded by Guillermo Erickson Sauza.
• Unlike many brands acquired by international conglomerates, Fortaleza remains independent and true to Mexican heritage.

Production Location

• Fortaleza is produced in Tequila, Jalisco, at the distillery rebuilt by Erickson Sauza.