Founded by the legendary Orendain family in 1990, Arette - named after a one-eyed Olympic gold medal-winning horse - is crafted at the renowned distillery El Llano, located in the heart of Tequila (the town).
This is the upscale version of Arette, the Artesanal Suave series, which has significant production differences compared to their affordable Clásica lineup. It involves different cooking methods (stone oven), fermentation vessels (cement pool), and distillation processes (significant cuts to the heads and tails, making it Suave, or "smooth").
This is not a reposado that will shock and awe you with bold aromas and hyper-concentrated flavors. And I realize that style is en vogue today, especially given the recent rise of high-proof reposados.
But the same way your palate might eventually get fatigued by strong IPA beers after awhile, I find myself reaching for this Arette reposado more and more when I just want a delicious, approachable, well-made reposado that’s not trying to blow my mind.
Nothing tricky or bizarre here. Aromas of cooked agave, vanilla, oak. Caramel too, and a hint of black pepper - always a win for me.
For flavor, it’s much the same. Lots of agave still present, even after 11 months in barrels, alongside butterscotch, baking spice/cinnamon, oak, and a fruity vibe that really adds to the overall presentation.
This is just a historic, rock-solid tequila that’s worth checking out, especially because it is relatively easy to find in comparison to many other craft brands.
NOM | 1109 |
|---|---|
Agave | Tequila Valley |
Cooking | Stone ovens |
Extraction | Roller mill |
Water | Deep well water |
Fermentation | Cement Pool |
Still | Stainless pot still with Copper coil |
Age | 11 months in American white oak bourbon barrels |
ABV | 40% |
