Very informative! Isn’t it good to know that there are people out there that are trying to preserve tradition and not trying to get rich quick! No doubt Guillermo is training his son to understand what matters in life! Great job Randy!
Great video! I like Tequila, and you are correct finding Fortaleza is as hard to find as pappy, but especially the Añejo. I have some Blanco bottles but I have never seen the Repo and Añejo.
Randy, absolutely love this episode and the story about this family. I actually went to school in Guadalajara for a few years and did a week long stint at the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) in Tequila. Love the people there, and my time there have been some of the best years of my life. So glad you showcased the family and how amazing the people are. Often media coverage of Mexico just shows the worst parts and all the best parts get lost. Cheers and salud!
That was really interesting! You are really effective at explaining things. Thanks for this one. Agree that Fortaleza is a fantastic product and I feel good about supporting a family like that. 🥂
Me gusta mucho el borbón, pero un día quiero... I ran out of Spanish there - I am *not* fluent. I really love bourbon, but I've thought of eventually trying tequila. I learned today that I was one of the winners of the November 8 giveaway so the randomizer probably won't pick me, but if I could win this it'd give me a head start. 🙂 Y'all have the only ads that I'll sometimes watch. 🙂 10:53 Tequila specifically comes from blue agave. Mezcal can come from any agave, but by Mexican law you can only make tequila from blue agave. And you can only make tequila in a few Mexican states - just which ones I don't know. I love the piña stoppers. BTW, piña is Spanish for pineapple. You can see why they call it that. 🍍
great video, love the Fortaleza brand and their great family history. have been in bottle aging their blanco tequila to a flavor profile of my choosing. love the channel.
Love Fortaleza I was lucky enough to get both the Blanco and the reposado. it's amazing product as a bourbon lover. I definitely appreciate tequila Aunt everything a brand like that does
Fortaleza used to be readily available, but it disappeared from stores, and now even the bars and restaurants in my area are having a hard time getting it. Even in museums, I haven't often seen it lately. I got lucky and stumbled onto the still strength blanco and the reposado in a small store that doesn't charge way too much (which is a rarity around here). It is excellent tequila, but good luck finding any, especially the winter blend. Fortunately, there are many other high quality brands that are a lot easier to find. Each one has its own style, so people's preferences will vary. Tequila Matchmaker is a good resource. Some tequila bars focus on additive free tequila. Sampling additive free tequila at bars like this is a good way to figure out what your preferences are. Mezcal is another good option. Regulations on mezcal are more stringent. When additives are included, they are declared on the label using terms such as "pechuga" (something - usually meat, and possibly including fruit and herbs - was hanging in the still during distillation) and "abocado con ..." indicating that something (usually fruit or herbs of some sort) was infused into the mezcal after distillation. These are good additives - natural and traditional items that enhance the mezcal rather than make up for deficiencies. Many different types of agave are used, but it is possible to find mezcal made from the blue agave; on mezcal bottles, it is labeled as "tequilana." It can taste a lot like tequila, though if the ancestral method is used, it will be like very old school, 19th century style tequila, which is more earthy and can be a little smoky. Though I enjoy a good additive free tequila, I find mezcal to be a far more interesting category to explore.
This is why it’s hard to continue to love tequila. Downloaded the app to “try” before I buy Great info on the tequila making process I’ll try and smell the bottle for hints of texas Well done on sticking to your guns fortaleza/los abuelos
I grew up in the 'land of tequila" in Jalisco and I have to say that you find better tequila here in the US than in Mexico now days. Furthermore, most tequila is aged in exbourbon barrels and this crossover of flavors led me to bourbon. Other great tequilas that don't have additives and are still family owned are Siete (7) Leguas and El Tequileno. If you find Casa Noble shot-square bottles get them.
Thank you for the video. A topic that you should go over are the minimum requirements that the Mexican government has allowed to for it to be still called Tequila. 51% blue weber agave and the rest can additives/sugars. If the bottle labeling does not say “100% tequila” then it is the infamous Mixto tequila that most people have had bad experiences from; whether in college or later; most notably with Jose Cuervo. Another issue, thanks to the government, is that the ABV for tequila in Mexico can be bottled at 35% and the quality of the agaves can drastically fluctuate every few years or so. Recently, around 2018 there was a shortage of agaves that made it expensive to grow and cultivate, but the recent popularity has now created an influx of agaves that has dropped the prices of the agave for pennies on the dollar from what they worth only a decade ago. Most of the tequila brands that are sold in Mexico are part of the big brands and their derivatives; Jose Cuervo, Don Julio, Patrón, etc. This is only a tip of the iceberg on this industry and I am greatly appreciative to Grover and Scarlet for founding Tequila Matchmaker. Knowledge is power and what has been happening to the tequila industry is a testament to when the collective consumer is informed.
I bought some of the Jack Daniels distillery series 11 that is sent to Mexico and finished in Anejeo bareels. Its so good doesn't taste like anything ive ever had before
I think most can read between the lines and understand who was responsible for the crackdown on Tequila Matchmaker. Thanks for making this video as Fortaleza is hard enough to find already... :)
Outstanding, woweee, awesome video. 🎉 Great information on Tequila done by the most interesting whiskey BRT man. And, it sounded like a great trip. Going for the sample giveaways 😎
We drank a lot of Fortaleza cocktails on the trip, so it is OK to mix anything. There is no wrong way. I would apply the same rule to tequila as I do bourbon. You can use a rare bourbon in a cocktail or on ice, but make sure the ingredients match the quality of the bourbon. Don't mix Pappy with diet soda, but if you make your own simple syrup, have a high quality bitters, use fresh orange peal etc...it is OK to make an old fashioned with it. Same with tequila, if you are going to make low grade margs with commercial mix, us a low grade tequila. If you want to use Fortaleza, then hand squeeze fresh lime, make your own agave simple, us a quality orange liqueur. I also generally shy away from mixing aged tequila. I generally would sip aged tequila neat or on ice, because the nuance of flavor added by aging can be lost in a cocktail. That is not always the case and just my personal opinion.
It’s incredibly random. I live in MA and I can find Fortaleza no problem. I picked up 2 bottles of repo, an añejo and a still strength this week. Problem is finding them at MSRP. Finding Pappy in my area is a whole different story, you either enter a lottery or pay full secondary prices for it. You’ll never find it in the wild where I live. There are plenty of good tequilas and bourbons out there at better price points and easier to find imho
different distillers have their own unique flavor profiles, whatever profile you like is best to you. a lot of my friends dislike G4 and love fortaleza.
I agree with you, G4 is very good as well, I have couple of G4 Repo. Others that are very good are Don Fulano, Carrera, Volans, Arette, Cascachuin, Tequila Ocho. I the Ocho Widow Jane Repo and the Añejo.
I can barely get my following to purchase a barrel worth of world class whiskey. Do not be deceived into thinking I have the power to shift markets. I can barely grow my own brand The Prideful Goat.
@@BourbonRealTalk I have bought your prideful goat. Very good. They only ever have one bottle on the shelf but it's there. Don't give up I just liked my tequila a secret but the secret got out awhile ago.
Tequila Reddit is already starting to be filled with Fortaleza crotch shots….lots of “found a Fortaleza to bunker.” People absolutely hate bourbon community ruining the tequila world.
It’s not the best it’s the most hyped. 2-3 others are much better. Fortaleza never does well in blinds. Caschuain and anything from 1579 or 1139 are better
Great video - I branched out from Bourbon & Whiskey and started collecting non-additive Tequila about 2 years ago.
Sounds like some great pours! Thanks for the video!
Very informative! Isn’t it good to know that there are people out there that are trying to preserve tradition and not trying to get rich quick! No doubt Guillermo is training his son to understand what matters in life! Great job Randy!
Great video! I like Tequila, and you are correct finding Fortaleza is as hard to find as pappy, but especially the Añejo. I have some Blanco bottles but I have never seen the Repo and Añejo.
As a fan of yours, it's always very cool to hear about the things and people you're a fan of.
Randy, absolutely love this episode and the story about this family. I actually went to school in Guadalajara for a few years and did a week long stint at the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) in Tequila. Love the people there, and my time there have been some of the best years of my life. So glad you showcased the family and how amazing the people are. Often media coverage of Mexico just shows the worst parts and all the best parts get lost. Cheers and salud!
That was really interesting! You are really effective at explaining things. Thanks for this one. Agree that Fortaleza is a fantastic product and I feel good about supporting a family like that. 🥂
Your opinion is 100% correct
Loved this one. Cheers Randy!
Thank for the tequila education Randy! Quite interesting. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice history lesson! Fortaleza tequila’s are such great pours! Cheers!
Thank you! Cheers!
Thank you for the very interesting and informative content!
Me gusta mucho el borbón, pero un día quiero... I ran out of Spanish there - I am *not* fluent. I really love bourbon, but I've thought of eventually trying tequila. I learned today that I was one of the winners of the November 8 giveaway so the randomizer probably won't pick me, but if I could win this it'd give me a head start. 🙂
Y'all have the only ads that I'll sometimes watch. 🙂
10:53 Tequila specifically comes from blue agave. Mezcal can come from any agave, but by Mexican law you can only make tequila from blue agave. And you can only make tequila in a few Mexican states - just which ones I don't know.
I love the piña stoppers. BTW, piña is Spanish for pineapple. You can see why they call it that. 🍍
Exceptional episode. I knew Fortaleza was highly sought but wasn’t really sure why. The company history helps connect those dots.
I love the Fortaleza story as well. Should have talked about the handmade bottle toppers too!!! Great video
great video, love the Fortaleza brand and their great family history. have been in bottle aging their blanco tequila to a flavor profile of my choosing. love the channel.
Tequila ocho is fantastic, and you can find it in most markets.
Love Fortaleza I was lucky enough to get both the Blanco and the reposado. it's amazing product as a bourbon lover. I definitely appreciate tequila Aunt everything a brand like that does
I was a tequila drinker before I fell in love with Bourbon. And I still am. Hope to be picked for this giveaway.
Fortaleza used to be readily available, but it disappeared from stores, and now even the bars and restaurants in my area are having a hard time getting it. Even in museums, I haven't often seen it lately. I got lucky and stumbled onto the still strength blanco and the reposado in a small store that doesn't charge way too much (which is a rarity around here). It is excellent tequila, but good luck finding any, especially the winter blend. Fortunately, there are many other high quality brands that are a lot easier to find. Each one has its own style, so people's preferences will vary. Tequila Matchmaker is a good resource. Some tequila bars focus on additive free tequila. Sampling additive free tequila at bars like this is a good way to figure out what your preferences are.
Mezcal is another good option. Regulations on mezcal are more stringent. When additives are included, they are declared on the label using terms such as "pechuga" (something - usually meat, and possibly including fruit and herbs - was hanging in the still during distillation) and "abocado con ..." indicating that something (usually fruit or herbs of some sort) was infused into the mezcal after distillation. These are good additives - natural and traditional items that enhance the mezcal rather than make up for deficiencies. Many different types of agave are used, but it is possible to find mezcal made from the blue agave; on mezcal bottles, it is labeled as "tequilana." It can taste a lot like tequila, though if the ancestral method is used, it will be like very old school, 19th century style tequila, which is more earthy and can be a little smoky. Though I enjoy a good additive free tequila, I find mezcal to be a far more interesting category to explore.
Great information! Thank you for sharing!
Great video - thanks for sharing
This is why it’s hard to continue to love tequila. Downloaded the app to “try” before I buy
Great info on the tequila making process
I’ll try and smell the bottle for hints of texas
Well done on sticking to your guns fortaleza/los abuelos
I grew up in the 'land of tequila" in Jalisco and I have to say that you find better tequila here in the US than in Mexico now days. Furthermore, most tequila is aged in exbourbon barrels and this crossover of flavors led me to bourbon. Other great tequilas that don't have additives and are still family owned are Siete (7) Leguas and El Tequileno. If you find Casa Noble shot-square bottles get them.
Awesome video! Thanks for highlighting some of the best liquor producers out there
Thank you, our pleasure!
Sounds like an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing info and experience!
Our pleasure!
Thank you for the video.
A topic that you should go over are the minimum requirements that the Mexican government has allowed to for it to be still called Tequila. 51% blue weber agave and the rest can additives/sugars. If the bottle labeling does not say “100% tequila” then it is the infamous Mixto tequila that most people have had bad experiences from; whether in college or later; most notably with Jose Cuervo.
Another issue, thanks to the government, is that the ABV for tequila in Mexico can be bottled at 35% and the quality of the agaves can drastically fluctuate every few years or so. Recently, around 2018 there was a shortage of agaves that made it expensive to grow and cultivate, but the recent popularity has now created an influx of agaves that has dropped the prices of the agave for pennies on the dollar from what they worth only a decade ago. Most of the tequila brands that are sold in Mexico are part of the big brands and their derivatives; Jose Cuervo, Don Julio, Patrón, etc.
This is only a tip of the iceberg on this industry and I am greatly appreciative to Grover and Scarlet for founding Tequila Matchmaker. Knowledge is power and what has been happening to the tequila industry is a testament to when the collective consumer is informed.
This is my absolute favorite tequila brand! Sip it neat. Wish I could find it lol
Fortaleza is rumored to be aged in old Jack Daniels barrels. I’m glad I got ahead of the tequila hype and have tried them all.
Thanks for showing some love to tequila also !!! 🔥
Glad you liked it!
I bought some of the Jack Daniels distillery series 11 that is sent to Mexico and finished in Anejeo bareels. Its so good doesn't taste like anything ive ever had before
Unfortunately, Fortaleza Tequila is virtually impossible to find. I’ve never seen a bottle in any liquor store.
Good video. Really insightful and enjoyable
Thanks for watching!
I think most can read between the lines and understand who was responsible for the crackdown on Tequila Matchmaker. Thanks for making this video as Fortaleza is hard enough to find already... :)
Outstanding, woweee, awesome video. 🎉 Great information on Tequila done by the most interesting whiskey BRT man. And, it sounded like a great trip. Going for the sample giveaways 😎
Thank you!
Love a good tequila!
There are other brands such as cascahuin that also use a Tahona
I tried to leave space for other small producers, but wanted the viewers to understand there are no major producers using that process.
Awesome video!
Thanks!
For quality tequila do you recommend sipping neat? Or how best to drink?
We drank a lot of Fortaleza cocktails on the trip, so it is OK to mix anything. There is no wrong way. I would apply the same rule to tequila as I do bourbon. You can use a rare bourbon in a cocktail or on ice, but make sure the ingredients match the quality of the bourbon. Don't mix Pappy with diet soda, but if you make your own simple syrup, have a high quality bitters, use fresh orange peal etc...it is OK to make an old fashioned with it. Same with tequila, if you are going to make low grade margs with commercial mix, us a low grade tequila. If you want to use Fortaleza, then hand squeeze fresh lime, make your own agave simple, us a quality orange liqueur.
I also generally shy away from mixing aged tequila. I generally would sip aged tequila neat or on ice, because the nuance of flavor added by aging can be lost in a cocktail. That is not always the case and just my personal opinion.
It’s incredibly random. I live in MA and I can find Fortaleza no problem. I picked up 2 bottles of repo, an añejo and a still strength this week. Problem is finding them at MSRP. Finding Pappy in my area is a whole different story, you either enter a lottery or pay full secondary prices for it. You’ll never find it in the wild where I live.
There are plenty of good tequilas and bourbons out there at better price points and easier to find imho
I love tequila too. Not a bourbon type of love lol. For anyone exploring tequila, G4 is probably the best stuff out there. Fortaleza is also very good
different distillers have their own unique flavor profiles, whatever profile you like is best to you.
a lot of my friends dislike G4 and love fortaleza.
Been to Fortezaza and El Pandillo (G4), love both. Filipe’s brother Carlos makes another great one tequila Ocho
@ tequila Ocho is another solid brand
I agree with you, G4 is very good as well, I have couple of G4 Repo. Others that are very good are Don Fulano, Carrera, Volans, Arette, Cascachuin, Tequila Ocho. I the Ocho Widow Jane Repo and the Añejo.
@ the G4 blanco fermented in Madeira casks is phenomenal
The fort anejo is good
Starting to dip my toe in Tequila/Agave.
Best place to find it is in California where 70% of it goes to.
❤
cheers!
A blanco can be aged up to 59 days
I didn't specifically go into that, but I did say the repo was 2 months to a year, so it was implied that blanco could be up to 59 days.
No why did you have to draw attention to this tequila. Now the bourbon insanity is going to hit tequila full force. :(
I can barely get my following to purchase a barrel worth of world class whiskey. Do not be deceived into thinking I have the power to shift markets. I can barely grow my own brand The Prideful Goat.
@@BourbonRealTalk I have bought your prideful goat. Very good. They only ever have one bottle on the shelf but it's there. Don't give up I just liked my tequila a secret but the secret got out awhile ago.
Tequila Reddit is already starting to be filled with Fortaleza crotch shots….lots of “found a Fortaleza to bunker.” People absolutely hate bourbon community ruining the tequila world.
176👍
It’s not the best it’s the most hyped. 2-3 others are much better. Fortaleza never does well in blinds. Caschuain and anything from 1579 or 1139 are better
Great video!
Thanks!