ArteNom Seleccion 1146 Anejo 750ML

ArteNom Seleccion 1146 Anejo 750ML is a 100% Blue Weber agave añejo tequila bottled at 41.3% ABV (82.6 proof) in a 750ml bottle. The Beverage Testing Institute awarded it 95 points in 2019, calling it the "Best Añejo Tequila" and describing it as "a flavor-packed, cognac-like Añejo tequila with delicate fruity nuance and big toasty brawn." A Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition further cements its standing among the most decorated añejos available today.

Quick Facts: ABV: 41.3%  |  Origin: Jalisco, Mexico  |  Añejo (~3 Years Aging)  |  Distillery: Casa Tequileña (NOM 1146)

Production & Heritage

ArteNom 1146 is produced at Casa Tequileña under the supervision of Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca, one of the most respected figures in tequila production. The agaves are sourced from the highlands near Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco, where higher elevation and red clay soil produce piñas with pronounced sweetness. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using Mendoza wine yeast strains — an unusual choice that nudges the spirit toward the wine-influenced character that defines the finished product.

What truly separates ArteNom 1146 from standard añejos is its split-barrel aging program. Sixty percent of the liquid rests for two years in used Cabernet Franc wine barrels sourced from France's Loire Valley, while the remaining forty percent ages for three years separately. The two components are then married and finish together for an additional year in American white oak barrels previously used for Canadian whiskey or Tennessee rye whiskey. The total aging time approaches three years, and the result is a layered tequila that bridges the worlds of agave spirit and Old World winemaking.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly squeezed orange juice and warm cinnamon appear first, followed by toasted vanilla, butterscotch, and cocoa. Beneath those top notes, a subtle plum and grape quality — likely the Cabernet Franc influence — adds an unexpected depth that distinguishes this from typical oak-driven añejos.

Taste: The entry is dense and chewy, leading with toffee, walnuts, and orange flan at mid-palate. As it opens up, dark chocolate, pecan pie, and cooked agave sweetness build toward a peak where black pepper and baking spices provide structure. The wine-barrel component contributes a honeyed, almost Cognac-like richness without masking the underlying agave character.

Finish: Medium-long and warming, with roasted nuts, lingering black pepper, and a whisper of dried fruit. The oak tannins provide gentle grip, and a clean agave note reasserts itself at the very end.

How to Drink ArteNom 1146

Neat in a Riedel tequila glass or a stemmed copita is the best way to appreciate the wine-barrel complexity. A single ice cube opens the aromatics further without diluting the texture. This tequila also holds its own in spirit-forward cocktails:

• Oaxaca Old Fashioned: The dark chocolate and toffee notes amplify the cocktail's smoky-sweet backbone when split with a small measure of mezcal.
• Añejo Manhattan: Substituted for rye, ArteNom 1146's Cabernet Franc influence pairs seamlessly with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters.
• Tequila Sidecar: The orange zest and cocoa character dovetails with Cointreau and fresh lemon for a rich, citrus-driven sipper.

Best For

• Gifting a tequila enthusiast who already owns Don Julio 1942
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Introducing whiskey or Cognac drinkers to premium añejo tequila
• Building a curated home bar shelf of additive-free tequilas

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ArteNom 1146 taste like? It delivers a rich, Cognac-like profile dominated by toffee, dark chocolate, orange zest, and roasted walnuts, with cooked agave sweetness anchoring the palate throughout.

How does ArteNom 1146 compare to Don Julio 1942? Both are premium añejos, but ArteNom 1146 leans toward wine-influenced complexity from its Loire Valley Cabernet Franc barrel aging, while Don Julio 1942 emphasizes butterscotch and caramel sweetness from a more traditional oak program. ArteNom 1146 typically costs less while carrying a higher Beverage Testing Institute score (95 points vs. 91 for 1942).

Is ArteNom 1146 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its nearly three years of aging and 41.3% ABV make it smooth and complex enough to drink neat, and the wine-barrel influence rewards slow, attentive sipping.

Where is ArteNom 1146 made? It is distilled at Casa Tequileña (NOM 1146) in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, under Master Distiller Enrique Fonseca, using highland agaves grown near Atotonilco el Alto.

What foods pair well with ArteNom 1146? Dark chocolate truffles highlight the cocoa and toffee notes; aged Manchego cheese mirrors its nutty character; mole negro complements the baking spice and agave sweetness; orange flan echoes the citrus and caramel flavors; and grilled stone fruit works with the underlying Cabernet Franc-derived plum notes.

What sizes does ArteNom 1146 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is ArteNom 1146 worth the price? It positions as a premium añejo that punches well above its tier — carrying a 95-point BTI rating, a Double Gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and a complex multi-barrel aging program, all at a price point below many comparably decorated competitors like Don Julio 1942.

Why ArteNom 1146?

The split-barrel aging in Loire Valley Cabernet Franc barrels and American white oak previously used for North American whiskey is a production method few tequila producers attempt at this scale. That program, overseen by Enrique Fonseca — a distiller with one of the largest private agave reserves in Jalisco — yields an additive-free añejo that earned 95 points from the Beverage Testing Institute, 93 from Wine Enthusiast, and a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For drinkers seeking an añejo that tastes distinctly different from the vanilla-caramel standard, ArteNom 1146 delivers genuine complexity rooted in verifiable craft rather than marketing narrative.