ArteNOM Seleccion de 1414 Mountain Arandas 100% Agave Tequila (750ml)

If you're into Tequila, you'll already know that the NOM (or distiller registration number) is the only real way to determine which disitllery produced your tequila. Generally speaking, Tequila brands, as opposed to producers, select a single distillery to work with and they use that brand’s NOM on their bottles. But this is not always the case. And with more than 500 brands produced by about 70 distillers, the brand name is not a reliable indication of who made the product. Knowing the NOM is an absolute necessity if you're keen on ensuring the provenence (and quality) of your purchase. As one of the only companies to offer tequila from several distilleries under a single brand, the ArteNOM venture emphasises this Mexican convention in marketing their tequila, labelling their limited releases as "Seleccion de 1445", for example. The numbers will change from batch to batch depending on the source.

This bottling, from Arandas (elev. 5,400′), is made by Feliciano Vivanco who has been cultivating highland agave since Mexico’s tumultuous post-revolutionary period of 1919-1929. The family now holds 2,000 acres of estate-grown agave producing a rich, well-balanced spirit.

Other reviews... Pale brassy straw color. Attractive aromas of spicy poached pineapple, flan, pepper, and dried flowers with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-body and a highly polished, praline, spice dust, cedar, and mineral. Very nicely integrated flavors and a lovely wood accented finish. 40% Alc./Vol.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 93 points (Exceptional) - www.tastings.com