Arette Artesanal Suave Reposado Tequila

Arette Artesanal Suave Reposado Tequila is a 100% agave expression from the Tequila Valley, aged a minimum of ten months in American oak and used bourbon barrels at NOM 1109. What distinguishes this reposado is the distillery's practice of discarding heads and tails entirely rather than recycling them back into the run—a labor-intensive choice that yields a cleaner, more refined spirit. The result is pale gold in the glass, softer on the palate than many valley tequilas, and a benchmark for how thoughtful cuts in the still translate to balance in the bottle. Arette Tequila has estate-farmed agave in the Tequila Valley for more than three decades, working exclusively with mature Tequilana Weber plants grown in the mineral-rich lowland soils of Jalisco. The agave is slow-roasted in traditional stone and brick ovens to coax out caramel and herbaceous notes, then crushed through a roller mill and fermented in open-air cement tanks, where ambient wild yeasts contribute complexity. Double distillation takes place in stainless pot stills fitted with copper coils, and the spirit is cut to proof with deep well water drawn from the estate aquifer. The ten-month rest in American oak and ex-bourbon cooperage mellows the Valley agave's characteristic earthiness while preserving its bright citrus core. On the nose, expect citrus peel, fresh-cut grass, mint, white flowers, and a subtle trace of vanilla and toasted oak. The palate opens softly and relatively dry, moving into lime zest and green herbs before the oak tannins arrive late with a long, clean finish. This is a reposado that drinks cooler and more elegantly than its proof suggests—structured enough for a classic Paloma or a stirred Old Fashioned variation, but nuanced enough to sip neat alongside ceviche, grilled fish tacos, or a plate of aged manchego and marcona almonds. The balance between agave character and barrel influence makes it as reliable for cocktails as it is rewarding on its own. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.