Tequila ArteNOM Selección de 1146 – Añejo

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

The color of polished amber, the Selección de 1146 was created by Fonseca exclusively for ArteNOM. The tequila is separated into two batches (a forty-sixty split) to be aged in Cabernet Franc barrels from the Loire Valley in France. The smaller batch is aged for three years, the larger one for two. Afterwards, they are integrated into toasted American white oak barrels used to age Tennessee rye whiskey. The end result is a masterful balance of oak and agave with the heady scents of butterscotch, baking spices, vanilla, and a touch of citrus. On the palate, this tequila carries notes of toffee, candied walnut, dark chocolate, custard, and orange zest.

PREPARATION OR PAIRINGS

Because of its strong roasted notes and flavors from at most three years of final aging, añejo tequila is sipping tequila almost on par with a light whisk(e)y. Have a quiet night in and enjoy a finger or three with a few squares of Michel Cluizel La Laguna Dark Chocolate. This is a tequila meant to be enjoyed with sweets, and its caramel notes will come out with a bowl of mango sorbet, and so too will its vanilla and chocolate notes with a rich espresso fudge brownie. If you snack on the slightly savory side, sweet potato fries is a treat with a few fingers of añejo. And yes, pour out a bit more to go with a beautiful rare steak.

This tequila is made for the smokier, darker cocktails. Try it in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, even a Margarita with lemon and honey. Make a Mexi-Cuban fusion by switching out the white rum for this tequila in a Mojito or spike your afternoon blended coffee and make yourself a Mexican Shakerato.

THE TEQUILA HOMELAND

Enrique Fonseca distills agave predominantly found around his highland hometown, Atotonilco el Alto in Jalisco. It is 5,541 feet above sea level. The distillery of La Tequileña itself is in the famed town of Santiago de Tequila, home to the blue agave plant that produces a specific type of mezcal—one which came to share the town’s name, “tequila”. This new-named liquor has been protected by the Mexican government ever since. It’s no wonder, with this proud tequila heritage, that Fonseca produces over 15,000 liters of 100% agave tequila every year.

Storage Instructions

Store your bottle upright in a cool, dark place, ideally between 12 and 15°C. Unopened bottles can last for an indefinite amount of time, but once opened, this liquor should be consumed within the year.