There are taller bottles - but this one would make a good basketball center. The bottle is totally black with a short neck that makes it easy to handle. This one will be sitting on the back shelf of any bar - so it does not block the view of the other bottles. To me, it's an elegant look that immediately attracted my attention. One problem, however, is that you can't see the level of liquid in the bottle. It's going to be a guess as to how much is left. This is a Los Altos tequila that tastes just like what you would expect a highland tequila to taste like. You can't see the liquid until you pour it in the glass - and then the fun begins!
The color is light straw - very modestly aged - I must say. It has nice legs that stick to the glass like glue, but it rolls without appearing viscous. Putting the glass to the nose, there is a neutral level of aromatics that I have never encountered. Agave is there, slight alcohol, maybe a touch of vanilla; pleasant for sure, but not complex. Holding the tequila in your mouth - first closed, and then opened - the flavor is gentle, sweet and loaded with agave, vanilla, spicy and fruity accents. There is some alcohol that goes away on the second swallow, to leave nothing but flavor. This is one of the few reposados I would have no problem sipping - especially with fruit slices between sips. Since the price is around $60.00 it's not an inexpensive reposado - so it's better sipped for that reason as well.
Unfortunately, the natural cork on my bottle broke off into the liquid and every time I want to taste this tequila, I must filter it through a paper towel. This is the second cork to break for me in a short time. But, to be truthful, I hate the rubber stoppers and other than cork, I would prefer screw tops - like Don Julio 1942. If it's good enough for that tequila - it should be good enough for any brand. Anyone who wants to try something different and have a bottle with an unusual, but natural, look - will enjoy Baluarte. It is smooth and natural - nothing artificial; the soul of Los Altos.

My first experience with the Baluarte line...mostly because it has required special shipping costs because of the extra tall bottle. Such is the life of someone living in the frozen North.

Aroma: A sweet and complex aroma of vanilla custard, cinnamon and cooked agave.
Initial Taste: Cooked agave, vanilla, brown spices (clove & cinnamon) and a hint of oak.
Body: A medium body that gets taken over a bit by the woody flavors. Lots of oak and chocolate flavors with a mild sweet spice.
Finish: A wonderful long finish that has a heavy chocolate linger along with a nice spice and oak flavor too.

The nose is very indicative of the initial flavor with a sweet and custardy element. The body and finish are entirely different with lots of oak notes that allow a pleasant bitterness to compliment the other flavors. It’s a very complex tequila with nice notes throughout the experience. The tall bottle, while looking nice, presents problems for those looking to have it shipped.

Nose: Strong alcohol, a little bit of smoked agave and a little bit of wood not much though

Initial Taste: Smoked/spicy agave

Body: Medium heavy

Finish: Medium alcohol burn, slight numbing of sides of tongue and sides of mouth, peppery, medium duration

Price: I will only buy this from Mexico because of the 8$ price difference in TN

Presentation: Tall slim black glossy bottle


Presentation doesn't matter to me much. I like it this tequila a lot, tastes like a margarita out of the bottle but I will only be purchasing it from Mexico from now on probably based on the 8-12$ price difference in TN. I think they should bring down the alcohol in the nose but this is just my opinion.

I bought a bottle of Baluarte Tequilla in a duty-free shop in Cancun two years ago. When trying it at home first I didn't like it very much and I haven't touched it ever since then. Today I finally tried it again without many expectations and was now positively surprised.

When I smelled the aroma nose, I again didn't like the smell: almost like cheap desinfection alcohol - with a strong algave note of course. But fortunately I sipped and was surprised that the taste was completely different to the smell. While the nose is biting, the taste is quite smooth.

This Tequilla Reposado is quite different to any other Reposado or Anojo that I have tried before. The Agave taste is overwhelming and there are not many other notes - I couldn't for example find any influence of the American oak barrel. There were however some slight notes of vanilla and pepper.

What makes this Tequilla special in my eyes is the strong Agave taste combined with a very pleasent oily smoothness and a quite mild finish - which is completely opposed to the sharp aroma-nose. I will certainly not wait another 2 years before drinking my next glass of Baluarte but it will also not become a regular companion.