Thirsty Thursday - ArteNOM Tequilas

Tequila ArteNOM Seleccion de 1579 Blanco Tequila (40% ABV / 80 Proof, NOM 1579) - At 6,788 feet above sea level in the remote mountain town of Jesús María, Felipe Camarena masterfully crafts this bright, aromatic Blanco Clásico tequila from stressed hillside agave plants grown in tequila’s highest-altitude agave region. Felipe’s Destilería El Pandillo is arguably one of the most forward-thinking, innovative and sustainable distilleries in the business. After select harvesting, the agave plants are slowly roasted in brick ovens and macerated intact with their fibers for a richer, fuller flavor. Following fermentation with rainwater, Felipe slowly distills this selección in small copper pot stills and aerates the spirit prior to bottling

Tequila ArteNOM Seleccion de 1123 Blanco Historico Tequila (40% ABV / 80 Proof, NOM 1579) - The Rosales family produces ArteNOM Blanco Histórico 1123 in El Arenal, Jalisco at their renowned Destilería Cascahuín from lower-brix valley agave that are the hallmark of the Lowland tequila style: earthy, vegetal, herbaceous, and slightly peppery. This selección is made from those valley plants which, once distilled into tequila, are barrel-conditioned for 21-28 days in brandy casks that previously held Oaxacan mezcal, such as high-end blanco tequilas from the Tequila Valley were sometimes prepared in the early 1900s. For this reason, this expression is referred to as a “Blanco Histórico.”

Tequila ArteNOM Selección de 1414 Reposado Tequila (40% ABV / 80 Proof, NOM 1414) – NOM 1414 is the Feliciano Vivanco y Asociados, S.A. de C.V. Distillery located in Arandas, Jalisco with Master Distiller Sergio Cruz. This distillery is the home to a number of fairly well regarded tequilas including Chamucos Tequila,  Gran Dovejo, Don Webber, Mañana Tequila, Siembra Azul, and YEYO Tequila. ArteNom 1414 Reposado Tequila is made from agave grown at 5,400 feet, another high elevation tequila. Aged for four months in third-fill ex-bourbon American White Oak casks, the ArteNom 1414 Reposado has a very light gold tinge and is almost clear in the glass. It’s refreshing to see a tequila company celebrate the naturally light color of reposado tequila rather than mask or color it.

Tequila ArteNOM Seleccion de 1146 Anejo Tequila (40% ABV / 80 Proof, NOM 1146) – NOM 1146 is Distillery Tequileña, S.A. de C.V. located in Antotenico El Alto, Jalisco with  Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca, the man behind one of the most famous extra anejo tequilas in the world, Tres Cuatro Cinco Tequila. ArteNOM 1146 Anejo Tequila is made from agave grown at 4,600 feet, which even though is fairly high elevation, is in the lowland or valley category of tequila. The lowest point in the “lowland” area is 4,200 feet with Guadalajara at 5,000 feet above sea level. ArteNOM 1146 Anejo Tequila is a blend of tequila, 60% aged for 2 years in French Oak casks and 40% aged 3 years in French Oak casks. This blend is then married and aged for an additional year in ex-bourbon American Oak casks.