Mezcal is Tequila's slightly less well known cousin, fans of agave based drinks knowing the difference but I very much thought they were just the same with a different name. Reposado, which means “restful” in Spanish, is a tequila that’s matured between two and twelve months. It’s known for its young, but complex flavor profile featuring roasted agave, vanilla, toffee, and oaky wood notes, among other flavors. It’s delicate, flavorful, and well-suited for fall mixing and sipping.

Our Tequilas | Tequila Fortaleza Our Tequilas | Tequila Fortaleza

This outstanding reposado tequila offers a balance of agave sweetness and oak notes with a hint of spice. It’s warming and well-suited for fall sipping. Don Julio Reposado Don Julio From chemically accelerating the agave’s ageing process and diluting the product with low-cost sugar-based spirits, through to reliance on undisclosed synthetic additives to mimic natural flavour profiles, there are widespread tequila industry practices that you might not be aware of. And throwing money at the situation is no guarantee that the tequila on the table is additive-free or made in the traditional way that you pictured. There’s every possibility that your favourite top-shelf tipple was mass produced in a factory along with 20 other brands. And the flavours that you had assumed were unique to the plant, process or ageing barrel are actually artificial. Because tequila has a problem. Actually, it has a few. And the result is that many of us don’t know what we’re drinking. Similarly to how whiskey (or whisky depending on where you are) is the category of both Scotch and Bourbon. There are many types of tequila, but fortaleza tequila is definitely one of the best. It has a smooth, rich flavor that is perfect for sipping. This tequila is made from 100% blue agave, and it is aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels. This gives the tequila its unique flavor and character. Fortaleza tequila is definitely a must-try for any tequila lover.I quite liked this Tequila and think it's a great base for any tequila based drinks and with it being clear it doesn't alter the colour of your drink drastically. The research varies on oak extract and health,’ Jax explains, ‘It has actually been studied as a supplement, especially in the form of Robuvit®, where it found benefits in increased energy and decreased pain. Other studies have reported that even low levels of oak extract can result in headaches. When taken by mouth, glycerin can cause side effects including headaches, dizziness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, thirst, and diarrhoea, but given that most additives in tequila are under 1% of total volume, this would be considered a lower quantity. The artificial brown colouring in food and beverages products is made by reacting sugars with ammonia and sulfites, resulting in the formation of 2-methylimidazole and 4 methylimidazole, which in government-conducted studies has been linked to lung, liver, or thyroid cancer or leukemia in laboratory mice or rats. The levels of caramel colouring considered carcinogenic have not been studied in humans, and the FDA is currently reviewing data on levels deemed safe for the food supply.’

The Big Tequila Problem - ELLE The Big Tequila Problem - ELLE

A recent crowd-pleaser on our shelf at The Wesley is Curamia Reposado tequila. Curamia is a collaboration between female power duo Dafna Mizrahi, winner of ‘Chopped,’ and Melissa Del Savio, a former bartender and industry insider. La Gritona Reposado is lovely. A big reason: reposado is all they do. Plus, they’re a women-owned and operated small business in the highlands of Valle de Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico that’s distilled to high standards. Drinkline is a national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm). When we first announced our programme,’ says Sanschagrin, ‘We were bombarded with interest from brands who wanted to go through our process. We then sent them all of the detailed information as to what it is that we look at and what it is that we do in each distillery visit to confirm that there are no additives in their product and about 80% of those that had got in touch initially, never responded again.’ So if a tequila has been awarded TM’s ‘additive free’ designation, you can be sure that it is.Fortaleza is a tequila producer located in the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The company was founded in 2005 by brothers Guillermo and Jaime Salazar. Fortaleza is one of the few companies that still use traditional production methods, such as cooking the agave in stone ovens and using a horse-drawn mill to crush the cooked agave. Fortaleza produces five types of tequila: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo, and Reserva Especial. The Blanco is the company’s flagship tequila, and is made from 100% estate-grown blue agave. It is double-distilled and bottled without aging, resulting in a clean, crisp tequila with notes of citrus and herbs. The Reposado is aged for nine months in American oak barrels, resulting in a smooth, mellow tequila with notes of vanilla and oak. The Añejo is aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, resulting in a rich, complex tequila with notes of chocolate and caramel. The Extra Añejo is aged for 36 months in American oak barrels, resulting in an ultra-smooth tequila with notes of raisins and coffee. The Reserva Especial is a blend of the Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo, and is aged for 24 months in American oak barrels. It is a complex, well-rounded tequila with notes of all the agave’s flavors, from citrus and herbs to chocolate and caramel. Fortaleza tequilas have won numerous awards, including double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge, and a gold medal at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. In addition, Fortaleza was named “Brand of the Year” at the 2013 Tequila Aficionado Awards. So, is Fortaleza a good tequila? Absolutely! If you’re looking for a high-quality, award-winning tequila, then Fortaleza is definitely a good choice. It’s an exceptional expression that has caramel, vanilla, and oak flavors with a hint of agave. It’s great for slow sipping or mixing. Teremana Reposado Teremana Unlike some brands of mezcal, it doesn't have a smoked flavour and instead is slightly on the sweet side. As a result, it’s the perfect expression of lowlands tequila because it’s earthy. This is one of the best tequilas on the market, and it is also very affordable. This handcrafted tequila from Los Abuelos is known for its citrus, floral, and olive flavors, as well as its rich Agave, white pepper, and citrus notes.