5 Fantastic Tequilas to Buy If You Can’t Find Fortaleza

Among tequila lovers, Fortaleza (better known as Los Abuelos in Mexico) is heralded as the gold standard. Over the decades, the brand’s reputation for additive-free, tahona-crushed spirits has earned it a dedicated cult following with consumers, cementing it as the tequila to buy for anyone worth their salt.

In recent years, that cult status has reached an unreasonable pitch. Prices have risen astronomically on the resale market, only to be snatched up within seconds by die-hard collectors. Chances are, Fortaleza is currently sold out in your vicinity.

In the meantime, we’ve put together a list of five fantastic bottles that give Fortaleza a run for its money. Most importantly, these are tequilas that you can actually buy without sacrificing an arm and a leg.

LALO Blanco

Our Review | Buy Now

Amidst the flood of celebrity-owned brands and “club bottles,” it’s rare for a new tequila to make a big splash on the market. Especially when that brand produces only one expression.

Founded in 2021 by Eduardo González — grandson of Don Julio’s very own Don Julio González — LALO demonstrates an unwavering dedication to its craft. Using Champagne yeast as its no-so-secret special ingredient, LALO dazzles with a delicate palate of tropical fruits, honey, butter cream and light salinity.

Best of all, it retails for only $45. Whether you’re mixing cocktails or sipping on the rocks, LALO’s price-to-quality ratio is completely unrivaled.

Don Fulano Fuerte

Our Review | Buy Now

Don Fulano’s reputation for top-tier, additive-free tequila has been proven time and time again since the brand’s launch in 2000. Distilled under the same roof as Cimarron, Cierto Tequila and Tears of Llorona (more on that later), the Fonesca family certainly knows what they’re doing.

The 100-proof Don Fulano Fuerte iterates on the brand’s popular blanco expression with sugary flavors of agave frosting, honey and papaya followed by a creamy, toasted sesame-forward finish. Rarely, if ever, do you find a high-proof tequila so sweet. At $52, this is one of the best bang for your buck picks within the brand’s portfolio.

Suerte Still Strength Blanco 104

Tequila Matchmaker | Buy Now

The trending popularity of Fortaleza has inspired a renaissance of still-strength releases over the past few months, led by acclaimed brands like Tequila Ocho, Pasote and Volans.

One of the best of the bunch was recently released by Suerte. Bottled at a blistering 104-proof, Suerte’s limited-edition Still Strength Blanco combines vibrant agave flavor, a fiery bite and plenty of expected vegetal notes. Similar to Fortaleza, it’s produced at a dedicated distillery (NOM 1530) using tahona-crushed agave.

So far as high-ABV tequila goes, this is about as good as it gets. The brand released just 1,530 bottles of this latest release, which can be found online for $70.

Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo

Our Review | Buy Now

Clocking in at 43% ABV, this 1-liter behemoth of an extra añejo is aged for five years in a mix of scotch, brandy and Sherry oak barrels. Tears of Llorona was first brought to market in 2014 by Master Tequilero German Gonzalez and has since established itself as the crown jewel in many a tequila aficionado’s collection.

The expression offers up a nose brimming with sweet orange, pear and baking spice followed by a complex palate of dry oak, maple, fuji apple and cinnamon. This one should feel right at home for cognac and whiskey lovers alike.

Of course, all of that praise comes at a price — Tears of Llorona retails for around $250. If you have a couple hundred bucks and some change lying around in your spirits budget, we promise, this one won’t disappoint.

Cambio Reposado

Our Review | Pre-Order

An upcoming launch from Chicago-based Chef John Des Rosiers, Tequila Cambio aims to bring back the old-school — confirmed additive-free, tahona-crushed agave, 46% ABV — in a refreshing new package.

We had a chance to taste the lineup early and found a lot to like. The brand’s commitment to intricate barrel aging was on full display in its Reposado, rested in a combination of White Burgundy, White Bordeaux and French Oak Chardonnay casks. So far as flavor, expect delicate notes of ginger and rye bread followed by a long citrus-laden finish.

Unlike much of its similarly qualified competition, Cambio will be launching at just $60 in the coming weeks. At its price, this is one of the easiest recommendations we’ve got.

Read More:

Australia Digs Deeper Into Tequila Market With Peanut Butter, Fruit Zingle and ‘Fireballs’-Flavored Agave Spirits

New Additive-Free Tequila ‘Founded, Farmed Distilled and Led by Women’ Hits the Market Nationwide

‘A Delicious Treat’: El Tesoro Tequila Expands Specialty Collection With Knob Creek Rye-Rested Añejo

Here at Tequila Raiders, we do more than write about current events in tequila. We are the only media property reviewing tequilas and aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the tequila world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of tequila in your morning email, sign up for our Deal of the Day newsletter