Fifteen years in the making, the Fuenteseca Reserva Extra Anejo 15 Year is one of the most extraordinary aged tequilas ever released, a testament to Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca's patience and the singular highland agave of Atotonilco, Jalisco.

The highland agave harvested for this expression was collected in the spring of 1998, just before the summer rains, from plants that had been softened by the prior year's El Nino storms. Lower sugar content in the water-logged agave meant a naturally restrained sweetness, which was coaxed forward through an extended rest in an earthen-floor aging room in Atotonilco el Alto. Roughly 97% of the lot matured in American white oak, with a careful 3% laid into French oak to introduce a quiet layer of dark tannin. The result is an additive-free extra anejo of rare depth and historical character, bottled under NOM 1146.

• Nose: Warm vanilla and dried fruit emerge first, followed by toasted oak, candied agave, and a whisper of cinnamon and leather.
• Palate: Rich and round, with notes of butterscotch, dark chocolate, roasted agave, dried cherry, and a subtle earthiness that speaks to the highland terroir.
• Finish: Long and warming, with lingering oak spice, caramel, and a faint mineral quality that ties the glass back to its Jalisco roots.

This is a sipping tequila first and foremost, though it would bring remarkable complexity to an Old Fashioned or a Tequila Manhattan for those who prefer a stirred cocktail.

Best enjoyed neat or over a single large ice cube to let the full 15 years of character open slowly. Crafted from highland agave grown in the Atotonilco region of Jalisco, Mexico, and produced additive-free under the direction of Enrique Fonseca.