Review: Cierto Tequila Private Collection Blanco

With over 600 National and International awards and medals Cierto Tequila is the worlds most awarded tequila.  Yet Cierto is a brand you have probably never heard of.  That is about to change as Cierto Tequila Private Collection was launched February 2023 in 8 US states including California, Illinois, Texas, New York, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Delaware.  Additional distribution will follow.  It all started in 2017 when Todd Chaffee Chairman of Elevated Spirits set a goal to make the worlds finest tequila.  He worked with Master Distillers Enrique Fonseca and Sergio Mendoza fourth and fifth generation agaveros, whose family has grown agave since the 1800’s.  Cierto is crafted at La Tequilena Distillery.  Cierto is Spanish for True.  The Cierto Tequila Private Collection consists of the traditional four age based tequila expression.  All are made from estate grown agave from the Atotonilco Highlands.  The hand selected agave is slow cooked in low pressure ovens, fermented with a proprietary yeast and twice distilled in Alembic Copper Pots and Coffey Column Stills.  The spirit is filtered, proofed with pure volcanic spring water and oxygenated twice.  Cierto Blanco is not barrel aged but it does rest for 8 months in Stainless steel tanks before bottling.  The aroma leads with cooked agave, citrus, herbal, and pepper.  Additional time brings out floral notes.  The sweet cinnamon, green olive, and agave entry has a thick oily feel.  Grapefruit arrives building to a floral, citrus, agave peak.  It fades with cinnamon, lemon, bell pepper, and a soft mineral water feel.  The finish leaves mint, flower petals, milky agave, herbal notes, and black pepper.  Cierto Tequila Private Collection Blanco is a full flavored tequila that has the feel of a higher proof tequila without the added heat or burn the higher alcohol would bring.

NOM: 1146

Region: Highland

40% Alcohol

Score: 91

Award: Gold Medal