Don Vicente Fuerte Blanco

“Fuerte” means strong or high proof, and this one delivers every bit of that at 54% ABV.

All the agave goes into masonry ovens that cook it evenly from the top and bottom—one of master distiller Felipe Camarena’s innovations. Another is “Felipestein,” a one-of-a-kind mechanical tahona that gently crushes the agave fibers.

What makes this Fuerte particularly special is the fermentation process. Ten percent of the batch is fermented with agave fibers in stainless steel tanks, 10 percent is fermented without fibers in wooden tanks, and 80 percent is fermented without fibers in stainless steel tanks.

Unlike the core line from Don Vicente, the Fuerte release does not undergo oxygenation prior to bottling, leaving complex notes in the glass that accentuate the Highlands’ mineral-rich terroir.

Aromas: Bright and bold, with cooked agave, light citrus notes, and some minerality.

Flavors: So much going on here—complex herbal and mineral notes, cooked agave, bright citrus, a touch of cinnamon, and black pepper. No real heat on the palate, with light sweetness.

Finish: Creamy mouthfeel that lingers, with sweet cooked agave and floral notes shining through to a long finish.

This is one high-proof blanco not to be missed. It’s an exceptionally easy-sipping, still-strength blanco tequila that has been masterfully distilled, with only 6,600 bottles produced.