Arriesgado Añejo

NOM 1459 may not have been known for making artisanal or ancestral tequilas in the past.

This is why Arriesgado—which means “daring” or “risky”—built a separate area just for the production of its tequila.

Fourth-generation tequilero Roberto Real pays tribute to his family’s history by making a high-quality craft tequila. Rediscovering methods associated with mezcal and raicilla production, he prioritizes traditional techniques that deliver a refined tequila.

It starts in the fields, with the harvesting of mature agaves from Amatitán, the birthplace of tequila. The agaves are then placed in wood-fired clay and stone ovens.

Next, they are crushed by hand with wooden mallets in hollowed-out tree troughs known as canoas. Fermentation takes place in small French oak vats with the fibers, then double-distilled in small copper stills that include the bagasse.

There is an interesting process they use for their añejo: before filling the barrels, they are treated internally with agave pencas and expressed penca juice.

This process causes a slight hydration of the wood, as the agave juice helps bring out unique aromas and flavors while highlighting the aged-agave notes and maintaining a great sense of freshness.

Aromas: There are notes of citrus, light smoke, sweetness, and dried fruit.

Flavor Profile: Complex, with bold flavors of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, spice, and light smoke. Sweet cooked agave is front and center. There are layers to this añejo that evolve with every sip.

Finish: The finish lingers, with a balance of sweetness from the cooked agave and baking spices. You are left with a pleasing aftertaste that shows this is a quality-crafted añejo.

Arriesgado Artesanal tequila stands apart from the efficiency-driven focus in much of the tequila industry.

Going back to its roots and showing us the process of making craft tequila, this is both a passion project and a tribute to Roberto’s family history. Every bottle bears a picture of his father, who passed away in 2023, leaving Roberto to take over the family distillery.

For a more in-depth look at how Arriesgado crafts quality tequila using labor-intensive ancestral techniques, be sure to watch its YouTube documentary, “Advancing Backwards.”

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