Fuenteseca Reserva Extra Anejo 8 Year Old 2008 Tequila (700ml / 43%)

Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca distilled this selection in late Spring of 2008, with three-quarters of the expression made in a double-copper column still with plates removed to achieve a lower distillation proof, and the remaining quarter made in an alembic pot still. One-quarter of the distillate was then laid in American white oak previously used to age California red wine, and three-quarters was aged in used dark French Oak. The casks were stored for the full 8 years in a damp-climate cellar used in the early 1900s as a water cistern, to slowly settle the spirit in a colder environment with reduced wood interaction.

Fuenteseca Tequila has long held a revered place in the tequila world with aficionados seeking out the extra extra aged spirit.

Extra añejo tequilas in the Fuenteseca line start at a minimum of 7 years and reach all the way up to 21 years. Given that blue weber agave takes 8-10 years to mature to be used to make tequila, these expressions can take nearly 30 years to produce! Enrique Fonseca began experimenting with aging extra añejo tequilas back in the early 2000’s and not only varies the time the tequila rest, but the types of barrels and altitudes in which they rest. From the traditional American and French oak barrels to used bourbon casks, or wine barrels, Enrique has created some of the most unique aged tequilas available.

Most other sipping tequila producers fill their barrels and casks and they stay put for the duration of the aging but not with Fuenteseca tequila. As Enrique tests and tends to the barrels, he will sometimes move them from one location or elevation to another to achieve the tequila aging speed and profile he is looking for. The Fuenteseca Reserva Extra Añejo 21 year, for example, was aged in Canadian rye whiskey barrels for 10 years on a dry, earthen-floor in Atotonilco before being moved to a higher, cooler climate in a different town for an additional 11 years.

AROMA: Time spent in California red wine barrels and dark French oak evokes notes of soft red fruits, dried sweet cherries, and vanilla.
TASTE: Plenty of fruit comes through here, fresh apples, hints of berries and cherries with wafts of vanilla, skilfully balanced with sweet, earthen, herbaceous agave and oak.
BARREL: 1/4 American white oak ex-red wine, 3/4 dark French oak
ENJOY: Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.