General Gorostieta Blanco

General Gorostieta Blanco is a small-batch tequila from the southern Los Altos highlands of Jalisco, distilled at NOM 1414 with an unusual fermentation protocol that includes classical music, open-air exposure, and the addition of champagne yeast alongside native strains. The result is a blanco that balances the mineral-driven character typical of highland agave with a round, almost creamy texture uncommon in the category. This is highland tequila made by producers willing to deviate from the industrial playbook. The agave is cooked in traditional stone and brick ovens, a slower method than autoclave that preserves more vegetal complexity, then crushed with a roller mill to extract juice without over-shredding fiber. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks filled with deep-well water, and the team pipes in classical music during fermentation—a practice they believe reduces stress on the yeast and encourages a cleaner flavor profile. The champagne yeast addition is rare in tequila production and contributes subtle floral esters. The spirit is distilled twice in copper pot stills and bottled at 40% ABV without aging, preserving the raw expression of cooked agave. Expect bright agave sweetness up front—green pepper, lime peel, a hint of mint—followed by a softer, almost buttery midpalate that comes from the yeast selection and slower cooking process. The finish is clean, lightly peppery, and mineral-driven, with none of the acetone sharpness you sometimes find in budget blancos. This works well in a Paloma or ranch water where you want the agave to stay present, but it's also smooth enough to sip neat with ceviche, grilled white fish, or fresh oysters. Pour it cold in a narrow glass if you're drinking it straight. Available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, with local Chicago delivery and nationwide shipping.