Tequila ArteNOM Selección de 1146 Añejo

Magic. Just lovely tequila. If you’re of the mindset that tequila is only for limes and salt and bad college memories, I implore you to reconsider, do a little bit of homework, and invest in a lovely, additive free, well made sipping tequila. I got my start here with bourbon, then scotch and Irish (like many of us), deviated to team rum about two years ago, and in the last year, I’ve really begun to enjoy quality tequilas. Looking at brandy for 2023… ArteNOM is something akin to a Douglas Laing or Lost Lantern for tequila. The owners contract specific tequila distilleries, or NOMs to make special batches just for them. This one comes from NOM1146, which is responsible for other hitters like Fuernteseca and Tears of Llarona. This tequila does it’s primary maturation in French red wine casks for 2-3 years, and the blend is then finished in new French oak casks for a year. This is really an extra anjeo, but because the final maturation is only for a year, it legally has to be labelled an anjeo. The wine casks haven’t dampened the agave. Cooked agave is still present front and center on the nose, but it’s enveloped in this buttery Boudreaux wine that gives off notes of berries, nuts, and some earthy tobacco. Those notes follow into the taste with the addition of some lovely milk chocolate that lingers on and on into the finish. Magnificent!

The flavor is rich and woody in a way that reminds me of bourbon with some slight floor polish hints, but ones that are not too bad. The wood is initially overwhelming, but bits of maple syrup eventually slip through. The drink is smooth, but it does taste a bit of rubbing alcohol (just a bit). There is definitely a Chopin Wheat Vodka presence. Unfortunately, the bitterness takes charge a bit too much. It has elements of young scotch that I do not enjoy, though maybe I would after repeated exposure. The floor polish and hints of coconut remind me of Glenfarclas 25, but not in a really good way. Cinnamon spiciness backed by unsweetened cocoa powder is there, but not overwhelming. I wish the finish were sweeter and that there were more going on here. Unfortunately, it is kind of bland. The vodka flavor is really not welcome in an anejo. The chocolate finish is distressingly dry, even without drinking anything particularly sweet beforehand. After a full pour, I do get that grape drink flavor that Distiller promises for a moment, but why is that a good thing. Interesting, but really just neutral. Note: this review underestimates the sweetness.

An intense Agave Spirit by Nom 1146 aged in French oak 60% for 2 years & 40% for 3 years, then aged together in American oak for 1 year. It has an aromatic birth with notes of agave, wood, herbs & spices; while a woody life adds notes of oak, caramel, smoke & vanilla; that led to a long & oaky death. November 2016 / April / September 2017

Hands down the best tequila I have ever tried. I typically drink whiskey or red wine and this is beautifully oak aged in ex cab franc barrels to give it a soft sweetness while still maintaining the agave roots. Rich baking spice and even vanilla followed by lingering hints of the agave sweetness. I love this.

Day 20 advent calender. Tried neat. On the nose I get butterscotch, caramel, vanilla, clove. On the palate it’s super smooth and nutty with notes of oak, slight vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa nibs. Wow. Delicious. Buying this one to add to the collection!

A great tequila that is technically an extra Añejo as it is aged 2-3 years in French wine casks then 1 year in American oak, making 3-4 years of aging. This one is a great dessert dram with notes of caramel, chocolate, cooked agave, and pepper.