SUAVECITO TEQUILA
JALISCO, MEXICO
WHY BUY:
Suavecito makes some of the most crowd-pleasingly smooooooth tequilas in the world, and this limited-edition Añejo Reserve Single Barrel is simply the best we've ever had from them. Credit owner Bill Foss’s unique aging process: 24 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels followed by 6 months in new Limousin oak from France — this, on top of the supreme smoothness already wrought by his innovative return of 2% of the unfermented agave nectar to the distillate. Meanwhile, the Extra Añejo is proof of what patience can bring: aged five years rather than the required three, it’s so poised and smooth you’re tempted to knock it back, instead of giving it the slow contemplation it deserves.
OUR TASTING NOTES:
* The Single Barrel Añejo Reserve opens intriguingly, with dried flowers, hints of almonds and vanilla, with whispers of tobacco and spices lurking in the background. The first sip takes you on an almost narrative progression, with bright agave and orange peel giving way to toffee richness, then an emerging oak depth, and, finally, a final chapter of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. Cinnamon and baking spices provide warmth, leading to an exceptionally long and earthy finish that evokes aged Armagnac.
* Five years in American oak bourbon barrels has created, in the Extra Añejo, a burnished bronze beauty. The nose is all indulgence: rich wood, seductive caramel, warming spices. On the palate, a silky caramel flows into a rich wave of decadent chocolate, with, in the background, subtle but unmistakable, wisps of smoky cinnamon. Nothing quite prepares you for the finish, which exceeds the merely smooth to approach the luxuriously buttery.
THE STORY:
Bill Foss never intended to become a tequila maker. In 2002, Foss, recently retired as a construction company owner, traveled to Jalisco to purchase an agave farm (but for cultivation, not distillation). There, one of Mexico's preeminent agave experts, explained to him that highland-grown agave produces piñas that are nearly 100% sugar, compared to lowland agave that's closer to 50% water. Foss planted at 7,000 feet in the Highlands of Central Mexico. Then came 2008, when the Great Recession left Foss with a mature agave crop and nowhere to sell it. Rather than watch his harvest rot, he decided to make his own tequila. With only 10% of the world's tequila produced from highland-grown agave, Foss had the raw material for something genuinely unique. His innovations multiplied: he extended his Reposado aging from two months to eight, his Añejo aging from one year to two, and his Extra Añejo aging to five years instead of three. And, perhaps most revolutionary of all: Foss discovered that by returning 2% unfermented agave nectar to his recipe, he was able to eliminate some of tequila's traditional burn — a technique no other maker had attempted. Through it all, and for all his experiments, Foss has remained a supremely hands-on owner, attuned to fine detail. He still numbers and signs each Single Barrel bottle, a testament to the personal attention he invests in each release.
THE METHOD:
Suavecito's production begins with hand-picked agave grown in volcanic soil at 7,000 feet elevation. But the character of these tequilas begins with the slow-roasting and distillation process, which preserves the agave's essential character. Meanwhile, the innovative addition of 2% unfermented agave nectar results in uncommon smoothness.
ABV:
The Single Barrel Añejo Reserve ranges from 51-54% ABV (102 to 108 proof), delivering full-strength flavor without harshness.
FUN FACT:
Destiladora Agave Azul holds Environmentally Responsible Agave (ARA) Certification, ensuring sustainable farming practices that contribute positively to biodiversity. This means every sip supports both exceptional taste and environmental stewardship.
RECOMMENDED SERVING:
To fully appreciate their depth and complexity, enjoy both expressions neat or with just a splash of water. And, if you’re looking to gild the lily a bit, pair the Reserve Single Barrel with some squares of dark chocolate or a fine, aged cigar.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the distiller, to ensure pristine provenance of delivery. Don’t hesitate to order yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in CO, KS, MI, MO, NC, NE, NY, OK, TN, VA, & WA. This offer will expire on Monday, June 9, 2025.