Fortaleza : Añejo

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of the Añejo Fortaleza

Tasting

Colour
With a moderate intensity ranging from golden to amber, this tequila reveals an authentic colour derived from the barrel, with no added caramel. The spirit displays remarkable viscosity, with a thick, oily texture that coats the glass.

Nose
Remarkably clear, the aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of caramel, vanilla and butterscotch. Cooked agave forms a deep, spirited base, enriched by aromas of dried fruits such as raisin and fig, orange zest, and sweet spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and white pepper. Subtle touches of orange blossom and toasted nuts complete this fascinating complexity.

Palate
The attack is remarkably smooth, dominated by caramelised agave, vanilla and butterscotch. The mid-palate develops towards notes of toasted oak, buttered corn and warm spices, carried by a soothing, oily texture. The long, lingering finish reveals dried and tropical fruits, ending on a gentle, perfectly integrated spicy warmth that never burns the palate.

Food Pairing and Tasting Moments
This complex spirit is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature or very slightly warmed in the glass, without any salt or lime, which would mask its subtleties. It pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, a flourless chocolate cake or a crème brûlée. At the end of a meal, it pairs perfectly with rich dishes. For enthusiasts, it naturally complements medium- to full-bodied cigars with earthy, spicy or woody notes.

Mixology
Although the rarity and exceptional quality of this spirit destine it primarily for neat tasting, it can, on rare occasions, feature in sophisticated creations. The "Portrait of a Sauza" cocktail, for instance, pairs it with beer, fresh lime juice, honey syrup, fennel bitters, cinnamon and Angostura. However, we recommend savouring it unadorned to fully appreciate its essence.

Other Characteristics
This spirit is guaranteed 100% additive-free. It is distilled as close as possible to its bottling strength in order to preserve the absolute integrity of the agave aromas.

An Authentic and Complex Expression of the Tequila Valley

Fortaleza: The Preserved Legacy of the Sauza Family
The history of Fortaleza is closely tied to that of the Sauza family, pioneers since 1873. After the family business was sold in 1976, Guillermo Erickson Sauza, the current owner and fifth-generation representative, set out in 1999 to revive the small historic La Fortaleza distillery. Commercially launched in 2005, the brand embodies a deliberate return to pre-industrial methods. Located in the region of Jalisco, the estate stands out for its absolute refusal of industrial efficiency and additives. Its production tools, a veritable time machine, rely on a brick oven, a stone tahona wheel, and small copper stills. Fortaleza champions authenticity, transparency and a human touch, producing deliberately limited volumes to guarantee exceptional quality.

The Artisanal Production of the Añejo Tequila
The creation of this Añejo Tequila is based on a rigorous selection of blue agaves grown in the mineral-rich volcanic soils of the valley. These plants reach optimal maturity after a minimum of eight years of growth before being hand-harvested by expert jimadores.

The production process of the Añejo rejects any form of industrial acceleration. The agave hearts are slowly steam-cooked for thirty-six hours in a traditional brick oven, allowing for deep caramelisation. The juices are then extracted using the tahona, a two-tonne volcanic stone wheel that preserves the plant's natural oils and aromas. Fermentation takes place naturally, in the open air, in wooden vats, using an exclusive family yeast strain.

After double distillation in century-old small copper stills, the spirit is aged for eighteen months in American oak barrels that previously held bourbon. This meticulous ageing imparts woody notes without masking the fundamental character of the agave. Finally, each bottle is a work of art: hand-blown in Mexico from recycled glass, sealed with a hand-painted piña-shaped stopper and hand-labelled, bearing witness to exceptional craftsmanship at every stage.