Fortaleza Winter Blend '20, '21, & '23 vs. Standard Añejo

You can skip ahead, but you’ll miss a lot of great information along the way!

Shortcuts/Timecodes:
0:00 – Intro
5:05 – 20 WB Nosing
6:24 – 20 WB Tasting
7:47 – 21 WB Nosing
8:42 – 21 WB Tasting
10:28 – 23 WB Nosing
11:20 – 23 WB Tasting
14:00 – Añejo Nosing
15:13 – Añejo Tasting

With the Fortaleza brand reaching hype-level status, I decided to compare the 2023 Winter Blend to a couple of older WB vintages (’20 & ’21) as well as their standard Añejo. Everyone should know by now that Fortaleza is an “old school” “additive-free” tequila made in in El Valle (The Lowlands) and it packs the flavor! For over 150 years, they’ve made their tequilas with old-world machinery and processes - like the open top wooden fermenters and the 2-ton lava rock wheel called a Tahona that used to crush the cooked agaves. The lowland agaves grow in a warmer climate than those of Los Altos (The Highlands), and the volcanic soil there tends to impart bigger and bolder herbal, vegetal, spice and earthy aromatics. Highland tequilas on the other hand tend to be a bit softer, sweeter, and delicate with their focus on the fruit and floral notes, but today will be all about Lowland Fortaleza. We’ll look at the Winter Blend Reposados from 2020, 2021, & 2023 (I’m out of the 2022), but I’ll substitute their standard Añejo for it just to see how it compares to the special finishes of the WB’s. Now bear with me as their blend of finishing barrels and reuse of them from one year to the next gets confusing. Just know that the aging process always involves both American oak and French oak barrels, possibly including new or used barrels that have previously held other spirits (wines/rums) or the previous year’s Winter Blend. It’s this combination of casks that contributes to the layered complexity of this yearly expression.

2020 Fortaleza Winter Blend Reposado, begins with their still strength Blanco (46% abv) that’s aged in either American Oak barrels that previously aged beer (an English Style Ale), American Oak barrels normally used for their standard repo, or some 2nd fill French Oak barrels - that previously aged their 2019 Winter Blend. Both types of American Oak barrels aged for 6 months, while the tequila sat for 11 months in French Oak. It was bottled undiluted at 46% abv and retailed around $100.

2021 Fortaleza Winter Blend Reposado follows the 2020’s lead by aging the same 46% abv still strength Blanco in the 2nd fill American Oak barrels that previously aged beer (an English Style Ale), 2nd fill French Oak barrels that previously aged their 2020 Winter Blend, as well as French Oak that held Sicilian Marsala wine. The American Oak barrels aged for 6 months, while the tequila sat for 10 months in French Oak casks. It was bottled undiluted at 46.3% abv and retailed around $125.

The 2022 Fortaleza Winter Blend (not shown/reviewed) is the same except as the 2021 above, except the French Oak that held Marsala in the 2021 was subbed out for a Hungarian Oak that previously held Tokaji (a Hungarian sweet noble-rot wine). It was bottled at 43.5% abv and retailed around $150.

2023 Fortaleza Winter Blend Reposado follows the same general cask recipe as those above but subs out the 1st fill Hungarian Oak Tokaji cask for a Charanda Mexican Rum cask. It’s bottled undiluted at 44% abv and retailed around $180. All of these retail prices have of course blown through the roof as retailers understand the limited availability (usually around 10,500 bottles) and collectability of the WB release. You’ll routinely see these hitting $400-$600 on secondary markets.

So, while you can consider yourself lucky to ever see one on a store’s shelf, the key is not to overpay for it. That’s why I included the 80 proof $90 anejo in the lineup. What it lacks in proof, I hope it can make up in 1.5 years of American Oak maturation. Now if you enjoy my unbiased reviews, please consider joining us at my Patreon cannel (www.patreon.com/liquorhound), you'll get a bunch more insider information - like great bottle purchase suggestions that don't make my regular YouTube videos. Beyond that, you'll get all my videos add-free & 2 weeks early, have access to my giveaways and a huge private review library (that's never been on YouTube), and of course all my "Patron Only" bonus content reviews!

As of May 2024, my current bottle count is over 2,700. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been collecting for three decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, I’m super proud to announce that my “Saints Alley “Nobleman” Rye Whiskey was named “Best Rye” at the 2024 World Whisky Awards! Given my decades of consumer/reviewer experience, you know the team & I will continue bringing you whiskeys we’re proud of! Thanks for watching & remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!