Arette Fuerte Artesanal Blanco Tequila 100% de Agave 101 Proof

Arette Fuerte Artesanal Blanco Tequila 100% de Agave 101 Proof is a still-strength expression from Arette Tequila, distilled at NOM 1109 in the Tequila Valley lowlands of Jalisco. Fuerte means the liquid travels directly from the copper pot still into the bottle at full proof — no dilution, no resting — preserving the concentrated aromatics and texture that define blanco tequila in its most unfiltered form. The estate-grown agave cultivated in fields on the outskirts of the town of Tequila carries higher fiber and lower water content than highland fruit, yielding a more full-bodied spirit with earthy minerality and pronounced roasted-agave character even in this unaged state. Arette Tequila has been farming and distilling 100% estate agave in the Tequila Valley for over three decades, controlling every stage from field to bottle. The agave is slow-roasted to coax out the vegetal sugars, then fermented and distilled in traditional copper pot stills. Because the Tequila Valley floor is rich in volcanic clay and sits at lower elevation than the highlands, the agave develops differently — less floral sweetness, more savory depth. Bottling at 101 proof without dilution means the essential oils, congeners, and trace minerals from the agave and the still remain intact, giving Fuerte Artesanal a textural weight and aromatic complexity that softer blancos sacrifice for approachability. The nose opens with fresh roasted agave, damp earth, black pepper spice, and a thread of smoke, layered with old leather, raw honey, dried spearmint, and a faint citrus note of lemon peel. On the palate, roasted agave and minerality lead, followed by mild honey sweetness and a hint of smokiness that lingers into a medium-to-long finish — intense but balanced, with smooth flavors that unfold rather than burn. Drink this neat to appreciate the still-strength body, or use it in a margarita or paloma where the proof and texture hold up against citrus and salt. Pair it with grilled fish tacos, ceviche, or roasted vegetables dressed with lime and chili. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.