I've never really 'got' the reposado expression- I love the purity of the blanco and the complexity of the anejo and not really seen the point of the 'repo' in the middle. That's all changed here. Los Abuelos have taken Fortaleza Still Strength (46%) which is one of the finest blanco's in the world and master crafted it through both used and new barrels to achieve something VERY special.
Repo sweet on the nose, smooth and complex on the the tongue and a fabulous power finish with that over proof punch. Just 5,184 bottles of this EVER people (pray for a 2020?), don't delay- I'm amazed there is any still left. Mine is bottle #4,803 and its going fast!

10th September 2020

I’m more of a rum drinker than a tequila drinker, but this was a total revelation. My favourite rums, so favourite spirits up until now have been a 15 year old JM and JM’s cask strength white rum, both brought when visiting the distillery in Martinique and Guatemala’s 23 year old Ron de Zacapa Centenario, discovered on a trip to Guatemala over 20 years ago and sought for ever since. I’d say all of these are characterised by a real smoothness and gentle sweetness, without being overly sweet with the JM white rum, as you’d expect, being less refined with a green, herbaceous undertone. Hopefully that gives some indication of where my tastes lie.

Having said all that I think this Fortaleza Reposado Winter Blend may now be my absolute favourite tipple. It is incredibly smooth, none, absolutely none of the harshness I’ve experienced with other tequilas, married to perfectly balanced sweetness and a distinct tequila smokiness. Maybe I’m just demonstrating my ignorance of better quality tequilas, but I genuinely can’t quite believe Fortaleza have achieved all this with just 18 months of ageing, just extraordinary and like I say a total revelation.

8th July 2020