Tasting Tequila with Brad

My First Arroqueño Mezcal… I Finally Get the Hype

Don Amado Arroqueño Mezcal Review | My First Arroqueño Experience Today on Tasting Tequila with Brad, I’m diving into my very first Arroqueño mezcal — the Don Amado Arroqueño. After interviewing Jake Lustig from PM Spirits and hearing him talk about why Arroqueño is one of his favorite agaves, I knew I had to finally explore this category deeper for myself. This traditional mezcal is made by maestro mezcalero Germaín Arellanes Arellanes in San Pablo Apostol, Oaxaca using 100% Arroqueño maguey grown at 4,800 feet elevation. The production process is incredible: earthen pit roasted agaves, pine wood vat fermentation with airborne yeast, and double distillation in ceramic pot stills. In this review, I break down: * Arroqueño agave * Traditional mezcal production * Ceramic pot distillation * Flavor notes and tasting experience * Why mezcal tastes so different from tequila * My honest thoughts as someone still learning mezcal If you enjoy additive-free tequila, traditional agave spirits, mezcal reviews, whiskey, or craft spirits, this is a bottle worth checking out. Bottle Featured: Don Amado Arroqueño Mezcal Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and comment what mezcal I should try next. #mezcal #arroqueno #donamado #agavespirits #mezcalreview #oaxaca #tequila #additivefree #craftspirits #tastingtequilawithbrad

My Wife Chose THIS Over Fortaleza Winter Blend 2025?!

Fortaleza Winter Blend 2025 is FINALLY open… and Tonie and I are putting it head-to-head against regular Fortaleza Reposado to see which one we actually prefer. What started as a tequila review turned into a conversation about tequila travel, visiting Fortaleza in Tequila, Jalisco, traveling through Arandas, the Yeyo bottle scavenger hunt, and the amazing friendships we’ve built in the agave world. In this video we discuss: * Fortaleza Winter Blend 2025 Review * Fortaleza Reposado Comparison * Flavor differences between Winter Blend & regular repo * Floral vs savory tequila notes * Copper pot still influence * Traveling to Tequila & Arandas * Sergio Cruz, Oscar Vasquez Camarena & tequila culture * Additive-free tequila experiences Fortaleza Winter Blend has become one of the most hunted tequila releases every year, and this 2025 release definitely brings a different profile to the table. But did it actually beat the standard Fortaleza Repo? Let us know YOUR thoughts in the comments if you’ve tried Winter Blend 2025. Subscribe for tequila reviews, blind tastings, tequila travel, distillery tours, additive-free tequila content, and interviews with some of the biggest names in agave spirits. #Fortaleza #WinterBlend2025 #Tequila #FortalezaTequila #AdditiveFreeTequila #TastingTequilaWithBrad

Cascahuín Añejo | Why This Old School Tequila Still Dominates

The legendary square bottle Cascahuín Añejo is one of the most respected traditional additive-free tequilas among tequila enthusiasts — and today I finally review it on the channel. Produced at NOM 1123 by Salvador “Chava” Rosales, this old-school añejo focuses on cooked agave, minerality, and balance instead of overpowering oak and sweetness. In this review, we break down the full production process including brick oven cooking, roller mill extraction, open-air fermentation, double distillation, and aging in fatigued American oak barrels for 14–16 months. This tequila represents what many believe traditional añejo tequila should taste like. If you love additive-free tequila, traditional tequila production, lowlands tequila, Cascahuín tequila reviews, or agave-forward añejos — this bottle deserves your attention. Tequila Reviews Additive-Free Tequila Distillery & Production Deep Dives Blind Tastings & Agave Education Interviews with Brand Owners & Master Distillers Subscribe for more tequila content from Tasting Tequila with Brad. #Cascahuin #Tequila #AdditiveFreeTequila #Anejo #TequilaReview #Agave #TequilaNerd #TastingTequila #LowlandsTequila #TraditionalTequila

From Gas Cans to Global Mezcal | Jake Lustig’s INSANE Story

Jake Lustig joins me for one of the BEST agave spirit conversations I’ve ever had on Tasting Tequila with Brad. We dive deep into traditional mezcal production, Don Amado Mezcal, ArteNOM tequila, clay pot distillation, Oaxaca, fermentation with fibers, historic tequila production methods, and how mezcal went from being delivered in gas cans to becoming a global craft spirit movement. Jake shares incredible stories about starting in Oaxaca in the late 80s, mapping distilleries, building Don Amado Mezcal, helping launch Espolòn Tequila, creating ArteNOM, and preserving traditional agave culture while still innovating production methods. This interview covers: * Traditional clay pot mezcal distillation * Don Amado Mezcal production * ArteNOM 1123 & historic tequila methods * Mezcal vs tequila differences * Wild vs cultivated agave * Fermentation techniques * Oaxaca mezcal culture * Sustainability & agave replanting * Barrel-aged mezcal debate * The future of craft agave spirits If you love additive-free tequila, traditional mezcal, agave education, or hearing stories from the legends behind the industry, this interview is for you. Let me know in the comments: What’s YOUR favorite mezcal right now? #Mezcal #JakeLustig #DonAmado #ArteNOM #Tequila #AgaveSpirits #Oaxaca #AdditiveFreeTequila #ClayPotDistillation #TastingTequilaWithBrad

This Reposado Is DIFFERENT… | Paladar Tequila Review

Paladar Tequila Reposado is one of the most interesting additive-free tequilas I’ve tasted lately. Produced at the legendary El Llano Distillery NOM 1109 by Eduardo Orendain Jr., this reposado blends old-school tequila production with modern craftsmanship and experimental thinking. In this review, I break down the production process, flavor profile, fermentation methods, aging, and why Paladar Reposado feels different from a lot of reposados on the market today. From open-air pine fermenters and wild yeast fermentation to volcanic soil-dipped bottles and balanced ex-bourbon barrel aging, this tequila has a ton of character. I also recently interviewed Paladar co-founder Pete Nevenglosky, and after learning more about the philosophy behind the brand, this tequila makes even more sense in the glass. If you enjoy additive-free tequila reviews, tequila education, NOM breakdowns, agave-forward profiles, and deep dives into production methods, make sure to subscribe to Tasting Tequila with Brad. Tequila Details: • Paladar Reposado • NOM 1109 – El Llano Distillery • Additive-Free • Estate-Grown Blue Weber Agave • Open-Air Pine Fermentation • Wild & Proprietary Yeasts • Aged in Ex-Bourbon Barrels #Tequila #PaladarTequila #Reposado #AdditiveFreeTequila #TequilaReview #TequilaEducation #NOM1109 #Agave #TastingTequila