Fortaleza Still Strength Forty-Six Blanco Tequila

Fortaleza Still Strength “Forty-Six” Blanco Tequila is one of the purest, most expressive blanco tequilas available—bottled straight off the still at 46% ABV without dilution. Intensely aromatic yet remarkably balanced, it delivers a vivid, unfiltered expression of cooked agave, citrus, herbs, and minerality. For enthusiasts, this is Fortaleza at its most authentic: bold, textural, and deeply traditional.

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Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced at Destilería La Fortaleza (NOM 1493) in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, this expression embodies some of the most traditional tequila-making methods still in use today. Fortaleza is revered for preserving pre-industrial production techniques, and the Still Strength release showcases those methods in their most unaltered form.

Key production elements include:

• 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Tequila Valley

• Slow roasting in brick ovens to develop rich agave sweetness

• Tahona stone crushing, extracting fibers and oils for texture

• Natural fermentation in open wooden vats

• Double distillation in small copper pot stills

• No dilution before bottling (still strength)

Unlike standard blancos bottled around 40% ABV, this expression is bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof), preserving the spirit exactly as it comes off the still.

This approach results in a tequila that is more textural, aromatic, and complex, highlighting the full character of the agave and traditional production. Still-strength tequilas like this are increasingly sought after because they deliver the “truest essence” of the distillate without dilution.

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Critics Reviews

• Wine & Spirits Magazine describes Fortaleza Still Strength as “complex and beautiful,” noting vegetal, fruity, and lightly smoky elements with excellent balance for sipping.

• Industry commentary widely regards Fortaleza Still Strength as a benchmark high-proof blanco, praised for its ability to remain approachable despite elevated ABV while amplifying agave character.

Formal numeric scores are limited, but it is consistently ranked among the top artisanal blancos in the category.

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Tasting Profile

Nose:
Highly aromatic with baked agave, citrus peel, green olive, earth, and tropical fruit, layered with herbal and mineral notes.

Palate:
Rich and oily with sweet agave, lime, butter, olive brine, black pepper, and herbs, delivering a creamy texture and pronounced intensity.

Finish:
Long and vibrant with pepper spice, citrus zest, minerality, and lingering agave sweetness, fading with a clean, slightly savory edge.

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Quick Overview

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Cocktail Recipes

While exceptional neat, it shines in elevated agave cocktails.

Still Strength Tommy’s Margarita

• 2 oz Fortaleza Still Strength Blanco

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• ½ oz agave syrup

Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice; garnish with lime.

Fortaleza Ranch Water

• 2 oz Fortaleza Still Strength

• Fresh lime juice

• Top with sparkling mineral water

Serve over ice in a highball for a bright, mineral-driven cocktail.