Rating: 17/23 I'm a fan of Fortaleza Blanco. This isn't much higher proof (seriously - I read "still strength" and I think 58%, not 46%), but it normally costs quite a bit more. Why? How much better could it be? I found it at a decent price and I needed a new bottle, so I'm trying it. N: I get that usual olive brine and oil, but there's also something a tad smoky here. There are also some bitter herbs and a get a little mint. Something is a bit savory. I might guess that this was a mezcal if I didn't know better. The nose isn't the most complex and it is a little muted, but it does seem fitting for what I expect to be a bold dram. Eventually some faint tropical notes (green pineapple and I'm not sure what else (probably some lime)) come out. P: Spicy, oily, full, musty paper, mint, herbal, somewhat vegetal, stewed agave, faint light caramel sweetness. Some olive brine and lime comes out along with increased mustiness on the second sip, before it returns to more of the normal profile. Definitely on the bitter and dry side. The complexity and balance are good here. They definitely improve upon the dregs of my bottle of regular Fortaleza Blanco. This is also hotter and is still quite challenging though. I prefer this, but the difference in quality isn't as large as I'd hoped. F: Rich and full. Brine, herbal, a little vegetal, definitely spicy. Kind of numbing. - Conclusion - I think I like this better than the regular blanco, but enough to justify the higher cost (even accounting for the fact that this is higher proof)? Probably not. I also think that Fortaleza Reposado is a better sipper than this is. It's just more complex and balanced. It kind of hits all of the tequila notes while still being its own thing, whereas this has a very specific profile. I'm going with a 17 for this to match the blanco. I'm a bit disappointed, but not terribly surprised. And I don't regret my purchase.