Arette Tequila Artesanal Gran Clase Extra Anejo 750ml

This special release from the always wonderful El Llano distillery (NOM 1109) is made from 100% blue agave carefully hand-selected in the field just for this expression by brothers Eduardo and Jaime Orendain. The mosto is naturally fermented in stone tanks, allowing a deep sweetness to develop in the nearly over-ripe agave. After distillation, the Tequila is aged for 48 months in first fill ex-Bourbon barrels until ready to bottle.

The nose is very agave-centric, with vegetal bell pepper and jalapeno balanced by sweet tropical fruits and a lovely, subtle wood spice. Upon sipping, there is a wonderful viscosity carrying malty sweetness with salted caramel, cedar wood, bright citrus, and a spicy pepper finish. Easy to sip and indulge in the natural sweetness, but the balance and complexity that the woody spice brings keeps it from ever becoming cloying or one-note. Bottled at 40% abv.