Lot 200 | lote 200 - feb 19 2026 sample from Darrel Spieker agave swappers group i really enjoyed this one. agave forward with some pepper, vegetal and fruity notes. I need to get a bottle so I can revisit this.

Lot 199 | Ok! I know people want to find lot 200, but don’t pass on 199! Great aroma but the taste is where this lote shines—extra buttery even creamy. The aroma is fantastic and reminds me of being near the hornos when they are unloaded.

Lot 200 | Cooked agave dominates the aromatic profile, while the ethyl remains restrained and complementary. Petrichor follows closely, layered with a trace of charred smoke, light white blossom tone, and a gentle thread of grassiness that adds freshness. On the palate, the agave arrives with intensity. Faint lime citrus provides a subtle flash of brightness before giving way to an enveloping, buttery richness. Petrichor remains a constant throughline, joined by light wood tones, soft earth, soft salinity, soft lime citrus. and a lift of freshness that keeps the profile balanced on the palate. The ethyl is impressively muted, allowing the spirit’s oily texture to fully carry and amplify each flavor across the palate. The finish tapers slowly, led by lingering butteriness and sweet cooked agave, with only a whisper of petrichor remaining as it fades.

Lot 195 | Vegetal nose. Decent palate

Lot 200 | Guillermo knocked this one out of the park! This has an incredible nose of OldSkol Blanco’s with cooked agave rising from the Riedel. And not just cooked agave, but that sweet spicy smell you get when they open the doors of the horno. The walls of the Riedel hold the tequila then it tears and runs legs the full length of the glass. The viscosity is thick and the taste reminds me of taste the cooked agave at the distillery. The smell and taste are reminiscent of the older single digit lotes. The viscosity causes all the flavors to linger on the palate, creamy notes of agave with a natural sweetness that balances out the spice with white pepper cloves and a bit of an earthiness that compliments the spice with a touch of bittersweet notes. Slight warmth that rest on each side of the tongue and the back of the throat. Long, long finish that calls for another sip…… Fantastic Blanco

Lot 23 | tried at john welch pnwac gathering 12.7.25

Lot 100 | This Lot 100 has a unique profile highlighting highlands agave, a buttery and oily mouthfeel, and flavors of baking spices, cinnamon, and a hint of Anise that I find in a lot of the OldSkol 1079’s. Beautiful agave crisp citrus notes and very complex, and well-balanced with med to long finish, making it suitable for sipping neat or enjoying in artisanal cocktails. This is distilled to 80 proof without any added water which allows the agave to be so prominent.

Lot 191 | Fortaleza tried at hyatt monterey lobby bar 10/2025 191 B very agave forward. Like punch u in the face with agave and minerality. Also very nice finish.

Lot 189 | Tasted side x side with lote 191 this lote 189 has a bit more sweetness and some light cinnamon that isn't present in the 191. Both are excellent and demonstrate terrior in tequila and variations in artisanal production.

Lot 189 | trying at monterey hyatt lobby bar

Lot 192 | Olive brine, agave, some ethanol. Waiting for the clock to turn over before we head to the Monterey Airport and head home. Nicely viscous in the rocks glass, legs are outstanding. Finish is a ton of natural sweetness and some minerality. First new lote for me in some time

Lot 192 | Bottle: Lot 192-B Appearance: Clear Nose: Cooked and raw agave, brine/salinity, minerality, wet cement, petrichor, citrus, lime, grapefruit, vegetal, wet grass, moss, herbal, mint, basil, laurel, anise, white pepper, butter, and alcohol….amazingly fresh and green Palate: Cooked and raw agave, black and white pepper, cinnamon, clove, alcohol, wet and dry earth, brine/salinity, olive, citrus, lime, minerality, wet cement, butter, herbal, spearmint, vegetal, and wet grass…much more heat, but still very green Finish: Cinnamon, alcohol, raw agave, minerality, and wet cement…long and warming with a thick and oily mouthfeel Overall: Compared to how I remember my last bottle, the aroma on this batch was far more herbaceous and overall impressive. The palate was a bit more heavy on the heat, but still incredibly enjoyable. I love the fact that this is not only becoming more available again, but becoming more available near the old MSRP. However, MSRP ain’t what it used to be and the new regular price feels like just a bit much. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to shaking my fists at the clouds and complaining about the kids skateboarding on the sidewalk.

Lot 184 | Fortaleza Lote 184B Sample from Brad Ruppel Agave Swappers Agave, fruit and yeast, some pepper 88

Lot 179 | Fortaleza Lote 179B Sample from Brad Ruppel Agave Swappers Vegetal, pepper, yeast/hay and a tiny funk 87

Lot 173 | Fortaleza Lote 173B Sample from Matt Charney Agave Swappers Really enjoyed this one. Clean. Sweet cooked Agave dominant. Delicious

Lot 100 | Nose: Roasted agave sits at the core, deep and expressive, laced with a striking minerality and olive brine. The roast brings a fire kissed tone that gives dimension - like charred sugar over ripe fruit. Banana and herbs drift in and out, brightened by lime zest that keeps the nose both savory and fresh. Palate & Mouthfeel: Medium in weight yet oily and slick on the tongue. A surge of sweet, mature agave defines the entry - sweeter than most Fortaleza lots and instantly captivating. The warmth builds into a peppery kick, reading as white pepper and cinnamon, wrapping around notes of lime, banana, and tropical fruit. A subtle mint and mineral pull adds balance, while a flash of bubblegum sweetness flickers through. Finish: Extremely easygoing, finishing with soft sweetness and a gentle reprise of that warm pepperiness. The last echo carries back to the roasted agave from the nose - a closing reminder of where it all began. Final Thoughts: The best Fortaleza I’ve tasted to date. Sweet and layered, surprisingly complex given its lower proof, and dangerously drinkable. Its charm lies in balance and depth rather than power. Loses marks only on value as it’s not something you’ll find anywhere near SRP - but the pour itself is exceptional.

Lot 148 | fortaleza blanco lote 148B mi tierra sept 2025 Nose is earthy and vegetal Palate is sweet cooked agave minerality citrus and anise

Lot 129 | Bottle: Lot 129-B Appearance: Clear Nose: Cooked and raw agave, black pepper, citrus, earth, olive, grass, vegetal, flowers, herbal, orange peel, clove, salinity, butter, honey, lemongrass, celery, rosemary, and alcohol…so far, so good Palate: Cooked and raw agave, black pepper, basil, butter, citrus, lime, earth, minerality, alcohol, subtle smoke, wet cement, parsley, oregano, mint, anise, olive, brine, alcohol, baking spice, peppermint, chamomile, and cinnamon…abundantly flavorful Finish: Medium length and warming Overall: When I was first getting into tequila, this was always on my radar…but I somehow managed to pick something else time and time again. Then, for a while, Fortaleza was out of stock everywhere. When serendipity finally struck, I was kicking myself for all the times I didn’t try it when prices were normal. Would I pay double to triple MSRP on auction sites for a bottle? Absolutely not. But it’s still very good.

Lot 184 | Reggae on The River 2025 The aroma: cooked agave, bright citrus, grounded minerality, and a spike of pepperiness. On the palate, sweet cooked agave and citrus hit immediately, joined by subtle grassiness and a clean mineral edge. The finish lingers with gentle pepperiness and a return of sweet, distinct agave.

Nose: getting agave, anise and black pepper - a bit light on the nose. Buttery mouthfeel - so much so for a blanco. Cooked sweet agave, black pepper citrus and so very smooth. A sweet and pepper finish that lasts and lasts. Very pleasant. 5 points off for value - once the price comes back down to earth (no fault on Fortaleza - retailers are jacking up the price) I will revisit.

Lot 155 | Another ill fitting leaky cork fouled the bottle

Lot 105 | See my tasting notes for Lote 100 as I find this to be very similar with less of the Strong Agave Prominence and a shorter finish

Lot 150 | This tastes very much like the Fortaleza Still Strength, likely because there was no water added to bring this to 80 proof, it was distilled to proof. Also, bagazo (leftover agave fibers) was added during the fermentation process, which lends to even more agave flavor. This has all the hallmarks of the small, boutique distiller. Cooked agave, peppery heat, smooth butter, minerals. This is a blanco lovers dream, a perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. Points were deducted, through no fault of the distiller, due to price. Retailers and the multiple distribution levels are hurting the consumer's wallet and this special release (and the growing scarcity of Fortaleza due to higher demand) only serves to make more money for those in the supply chain instead of lining the pockets of the geniuses making this product, who are staying true to who they are.

Lot 156 | Lots of black pepper on this one

Lot 162 | I don’t pull out Fortaleza very often. I have many bottles of it and I really do enjoy them all. This Lote 162-B fits in to that category. An excellent example of well made tequila. It has that Fortaleza nose of cooked agave, earth, olive, vegetal notes. No alcohol burn whatsoever. On the palate it is so easy to sip. The viscosity is excellent. Cooked agave, earthy notes, olive brine, such a nice finish. I really should pour these more often. Yeah this brand has the hype but it is well deserved. I only opened this bottle because it was one of the few in my collection I had not rated. I needed it so that my next review was number 400. So 399, you were very fine.