Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 Reposado Tequila – 87 Proof (43.5% ABV) | 750ml

Rare, complex, and highly sought after, Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 Reposado Tequila is a limited-edition expression that brings Fortaleza's traditionally produced tequila together with an ambitious combination of wine and whiskey cask maturation. Bottled at 43.5% ABV (87 proof) in a 750ml bottle, the 2022 Winter Blend marries three distinct reposado components to create layers of cooked agave, dried fruit, caramel, spice, citrus, and oak.

Process & Aging

Produced at NOM 1493 in Tequila, Jalisco, Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 begins with 100% Blue Weber agave from the Tequila Valley. The agaves are cooked in traditional stone and brick ovens, crushed using a tahona, fermented in open-air wooden tanks, and double distilled in copper pot stills.

What distinguishes the 2022 Winter Blend is its carefully constructed maturation program. The final tequila brings together three separately aged components:

American Oak Ex-Bourbon: Fortaleza's classic Reposado component, matured for approximately six months in American oak ex-bourbon barrels.

Hungarian Oak Ex-Tokaji: A portion matured in Hungarian oak barrels previously used for Tokaji wine, incorporating both first-fill and second-fill cask maturation.

French Oak Ex-Oloroso Sherry: A third component matured in French oak barrels previously used for Oloroso Sherry, also incorporating first-fill and second-fill maturation.

After aging separately, the components were carefully blended to create the finished 2022 Winter Blend at 43.5% ABV.

Appearance

Rich golden amber with warm copper highlights, reflecting its varied maturation across American, French, and Hungarian oak.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich aromas of honey and cooked agave open into herbal notes, caramel, oak, and warming spice.

Palate: Full and layered with cooked peach, caramel, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and orange blossom, supported by roasted agave and the influence of its wine-seasoned oak casks.

Finish: Long and satisfying with lingering fruit, spice, rich caramel, and roasted agave, balancing sweetness with the distinctive earthy character of Fortaleza.

What Makes It Special

Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 stands apart from the standard Fortaleza Reposado through its unusual combination of American oak ex-bourbon, Hungarian oak ex-Tokaji, and French oak ex-Oloroso Sherry casks.

The Tokaji and Oloroso components introduce additional dried-fruit, spice, and wine-cask complexity while allowing the traditional cooked-agave character of Fortaleza to remain at the center of the tequila.

Released in limited quantities in 2022, this vintage has become a particularly collectible Fortaleza expression. Each annual Winter Blend explores a different maturation program, meaning the specific cask combination used for the 2022 release is distinct to that vintage.

How to Enjoy

Best enjoyed neat in a tequila tasting glass to fully appreciate its layered cask character. Allow the tequila several minutes to open after pouring, revealing deeper layers of cooked agave, fruit, caramel, spice, and oak.

Given the limited nature of the Winter Blend series, the 2022 release is particularly well suited for enthusiasts looking to explore Fortaleza beyond its core expressions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the alcohol content of Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 Reposado Tequila?
It is bottled at 43.5% ABV (87 proof).

What type of agave is used?
Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 is produced from 100% Blue Weber agave (Agave Tequilana Weber) from the Tequila Valley of Jalisco.

What barrels are used for Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022?
The blend incorporates tequila matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, Hungarian oak ex-Tokaji wine casks, and French oak ex-Oloroso Sherry casks.

How is Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 produced?
Fortaleza uses traditional methods including stone/brick ovens, tahona extraction, open-air fermentation in wooden tanks, and double distillation in copper pot stills.

Is Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 a limited edition?
Yes. The 2022 Winter Blend was released in limited quantities as part of Fortaleza's annual Winter Blend series.

What is the bottle size?
This expression comes in a 750ml bottle.

Pricing & Availability

This listing includes one 750ml bottle of Fortaleza Winter Blend 2022 Reposado Tequila, bottled at 87 proof (43.5% ABV). Available now on our website while supplies last.

Brand Story

Fortaleza Tequila is produced in Tequila, Jalisco using traditional methods that preserve the character of Blue Weber agave and the heritage of tequila production. At NOM 1493, mature agaves are cooked in masonry ovens, crushed by a traditional stone tahona, fermented in wooden tanks, and double distilled in copper pot stills.

The Winter Blend series takes this traditional foundation in a different direction by exploring distinctive barrel combinations and maturation techniques. Winter Blend 2022 showcases that philosophy through the marriage of classic Fortaleza Reposado with tequila matured in Tokaji and Oloroso Sherry casks, creating a rare vintage expression that combines traditional agave character with unusually complex barrel influence.