Named after a horse who, with its rider, won a gold medal in equestrian jumping at the 1984 Olympics, Arette is a well-known tequila brand, initially largely because of its budget “Classic” line which, though much punchier in terms of the alcohol hit, especially in the regular “Classic” line blanco, makes a good mixer. Its “Artesanal” line, as the name says quite literally, is more refined and “artisanal,” making it, at least to me, a much more enjoyable set of sipping (neat) tequilas.
Produced by El Llano distillery (NOM 1109) in Jalisco, Arette uses Valley Blue Weber agaves and mineral-rich spring water from the Volcán de Tequila (Tequila Volcano). The Artesanal Blanco is made using a roller mill to extract the aguamiel (sugars) from the agaves after they’re cooked in stone/brick ovens (hornos). It is fermented in open-air cement tanks before being double distilled in a stainless steel pot still with copper coils. It is cut down to 80 proof (40% ABV) using volcanic spring water. It is aerated before bottling.
The 80 proof artesanal blanco has aromas and flavors of cooked agave, strong black pepper and vegetal/grassy/herbal notes, minerality from the volcanic spring water, and some citrus, a salinity/brine, and noticeable alcohol notes.
Arette’s Artesanal line also includes a 101 “high” proof blanco, a reposado, an añejo, and an extra añejo. They also produce store pick single barrels of some of their expressions.
Agave Spirits+ Journey 