In 1999, Guillermo Erickson Sauza decided to bring back the old Sauza family distillery to life. Today he produces Tequila Fortaleza there using 100% stone-milled agave, entirely produced on the estate which lies right in the middle of the town of Tequila. Fortaleza Reposado Tequila is rested for 8 months. It has an amazingly soft texture with a vegetal sweetness balanced against soft and sweet vanilla notes from the ex-bourbon barrels in which it is rested.

Ensamble is Madre’s centrepiece. It’s a blend of Espadin and the rare, wild agave, Cuishe, which only counts for 1-2% of agave species. The lion’s share of the blend is crafted by Jose Ines Garcia Morales and his family in San Dionisio, with a little Cuishe supplied from the Vazquez palenque in Miahuatlán. A departure from the overtly smoky Mezcal that abounds, the blend of sweet Espadin and piquant Cuishe is designed to be a perfect first taste for a new Mezcal drinker, as well as a great everyday sipper for the Mezcal aficionado. As the flavours unfold, you seem to taste something different with every sip: herbal and smoky notes, sage and minerals and sweet earthy fragrance. The finish is clean and lingering, underpinned by subtle smoke and floral flavour. Each small batch release is bottled in recycled glass and hand numbered. “This Ensamble is made using Espadín and Cuishe agave, and serves rich tropical fruit and bonfire smoke notes that flow from nose to palate. Its alcohol content ups the intensity of those aromas and flavors, delivering a well-balanced experience and an approachable introduction to the category.” Vinepair (15 best Mezcal brands and best Mezcals for sipping 2022)

The Madrecuishe agave is part of the Karwinskii family, which also includes agave Cuishe, Cirial, and Tobasiche. Harvested between 14-16 years old, it grows mostly in the drier climates of Oaxaca, and typically takes a tall, cylindrical form. Due to the agave's dense core and low water content, mezcal made from Madrecuishe typically has high minerality and freshness with vegetal and floral notes. QQRQ's Madrecuishe is made by Maestro Mezcalero Natalio Vazquez at his palenque in El Palmar. Agaves are sourced from both wild and semi-wild plantations in Sitio El Palmar, San Luis Amatlán and Miahuatlán. Semi-wild means that wild seeds are sowed in community or private fields and when transplanted, left to grow, as in the wild. True wild agaves are increasingly scarce and Symonds feels replanting wild seeds represents a more responsible way to enjoy these rarer types of agave. To this end QQRQ re-sow ten times as many seeds as agaves used in their Mezcals. Tasting note: Clear. Oily and dense with a briney / fruity / waxy / dried herb opening sniff. Drifts lazily from the glass. Air contact loses no definition or intensity adding hints of menthol tobacco, white pepper, char grilled pineapple and dried fruits. A medium sweet, light to medium bodied mezcal with Islay-esque flavours of grilled citrus, tyre tube, wood smoke and a brisk, minerally finish. Elegant and remarkably balanced. The bouquet is first class. 47% Alc./Vol.

Kuna Panama is tradition at its best, the 8 year old rum uses dry season Panamanian, freshly squeezed and distilled sugar cane, placed in ex_bourbon oak barrels for ageing. Light gold in colour. Rich texture, full of dried red fruits. Drier nose, floral with sustained vanilla and caramel. Hint of red wine barrel ageing. Warm toffee and caramel front palate, floral notes of vanilla and apple blossum. Leather notes, matured red wine finish. Gift boxed.

Hand Painted by an Artisan and signed in Tequila Mexico, the second hottest La Cofradia product of 2022 in Australia Satisfying the most demanding palates is one of the missions of La Cofradia, made from purest blue agave Tequila. The name was inherited in 1995 and created respecting the traditional manufacturing process. Belonging to a special reserve by our Master Distiller, whose signature is found on each bottle, Mr Carlos Hernandez. La Cofradia Iguanas Tequila is a great example of a sipping Tequila. These handmade creations look awesome on personal back bars or commercial Top Shelf.

Born in Mexico, shaped by Scotland, Storywood is the only range of tequilas in the world that are fully matured in single malt whisky and Oloroso sherry barrels. Storywood tequila begins with 10 year-old mature 100% blue weber agave, harvested from the lowland region of Jalisco and married with the natural spring water from Volcan de Tequila that flows down from the mountains. This liquid, much like a new make spirit, is then locked away in the finest of oak casks which have travelled 3 continents. Bottled at cask strength Storywood’s Double Oak is at the top of Storywood's range in the Cask Strength Limited Editions. Born in Mexico, but raised over 14 months in Single Malt Scotch Whisky barrels and Oloroso Sherry casks. Honey and caramel merge with cherry and dark fruit notes for a radically rare tequila. Limited to around 500 cases a year this one’s not to be missed!

Born in Mexico, shaped by Scotland, Storywood is the only range of tequilas in the world that are fully matured in single malt whisky and Oloroso sherry barrels. Storywood tequila begins with 10 year-old mature 100% blue weber agave, harvested from the lowland region of Jalisco and married with the natural spring water from Volcan de Tequila that flows down from the mountains. This liquid, much like a new make spirit, is then locked away in the finest of oak casks which have travelled 3 continents. Bottled at cask strength, this rich Reposado packs a punch! Born in Mexico and raised over 7 months in Scotch Speyside whisky barrels. Caramel with hints of oak, vanilla and honey on an earthy agave base. It’s one to add to your shopping list while this is available!

Born in Mexico, shaped by Scotland, Storywood is the only range of tequilas in the world that are fully matured in single malt whisky and Oloroso sherry barrels. Storywood tequila begins with 10 year-old mature 100% blue weber agave, harvested from the lowland region of Jalisco and married with the natural spring water from Volcan de Tequila that flows down from the mountains. This liquid, much like a new make spirit, is then locked away in the finest of oak casks which have travelled 3 continents. The Speyside Reposado 7 was born in Mexico and raised for over 7 months in Scottish Speyside whisky barrels, it’s a tantalizingly two-sided tequila. Caramel, subtly oaky with hints of vanilla and honey on an earthy, lowland agave base, it’s the best of both worlds.