ArteNom Seleccion 1123 Blanco 750ML is a 100% Blue Weber agave tequila bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) in a 750ml format, barrel-conditioned in brandy casks that previously held Oaxacan mezcal. This unusual finishing step—lasting 21 to 28 days—earned it the "Histórico" designation, a nod to early-1900s blanco styles. Tastings.com awarded the expression 95 points out of 100 in May 2023, underscoring its place among the most distinctive unaged tequilas available.Quick Facts: ABV: 43% | Origin: El Arenal, Jalisco, Mexico | Blanco (Histórico) | Distillery: Destilería Cascahuín (NOM 1123)Production & HeritageDestilería Cascahuín operates in El Arenal, a small town in the Tequila Valley of Jalisco, under the guidance of Master Distiller Salvador Rosales Torres. The agave is sourced from lower-altitude valley fields, double distilled, and then briefly conditioned for 21 to 28 days in brandy barrels that previously aged Oaxacan mezcal. This barrel-conditioning bridges two Mexican spirits traditions, imparting a faint smokiness and textural weight rarely found in a blanco. ArteNOM itself holds a singular distinction: it is the first and only brand authorized by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT) to bottle tequilas from multiple distilleries under one label, with each expression identified by its NOM number—in this case, 1123.Tasting NotesAroma: Roasted pineapple leads immediately, layered with warm butter and baking spices. Deeper passes reveal smoked pepper, wet mineral notes, and something resembling upside-down pineapple cake fresh from the oven.Taste: The entry is viscous and cooked-agave sweet, with baked pineapple and honey melting into hot cinnamon and black pepper at mid-palate. As the flavors develop, sweet potato, vanilla, licorice, and a distinct hardwood smoke emerge—a clear echo of those mezcal-seasoned casks. Wet cement minerality and buttery richness hold everything together.Finish: Medium-long with an ashy, anise-tinged fade that gives the tequila an almost mezcal-like quality. Lingering cinnamon warmth and almond sweetness close things out cleanly.How to Drink ArteNom 1123 BlancoSipping neat at room temperature is the best way to appreciate the brandy-mezcal cask influence and the layered minerality. A single ice cube or a few drops of water can open up the buttery, pineapple-forward aromatics for those who prefer a slightly tempered pour. Oaxaca Old Fashioned: The built-in smokiness means you can skip the mezcal rinse and let the 1123 do double duty as both tequila and smoky backbone. Paloma: The viscous texture and baking-spice character stand up to grapefruit soda without being buried, adding unexpected depth. Tommy's Margarita: Agave syrup and lime amplify the roasted pineapple and honey notes, producing a richer, more complex variation than a standard blanco delivers. Best For Tequila enthusiasts exploring historically inspired production methods Mezcal drinkers curious about tequilas with smoky, mineral-driven profiles Gifting a spirits collector who values unique NOM-specific bottlings Side-by-side tastings comparing valley versus highland blanco expressions Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does ArteNom 1123 Blanco taste like? It leads with roasted pineapple and cooked agave sweetness, then shifts to hot cinnamon, black pepper, and a distinctive smoky minerality from its mezcal-seasoned brandy cask conditioning.How does ArteNom 1123 Blanco compare to Fortaleza Blanco? Both are valley-sourced, agave-forward blancos with notable minerality, but ArteNom 1123 gains a smoky, anise-like dimension from its brandy-mezcal barrel conditioning that Fortaleza's unaged, stainless-rested profile does not share. Fortaleza tends toward brighter citrus and raw agave, while the 1123 leans into baking spice and hardwood smoke.Is ArteNom 1123 Blanco good for sipping neat? Absolutely—the 43% ABV, viscous mouthfeel, and complex layering of pineapple, cinnamon, and mineral notes make it ideally suited to neat drinking.Where is ArteNom 1123 Blanco made? It is produced at Destilería Cascahuín (NOM 1123) in El Arenal, a town in the Tequila Valley of Jalisco, Mexico, under Master Distiller Salvador Rosales Torres.What foods pair well with ArteNom 1123 Blanco? Grilled pork al pastor complements the smoky sweetness; aged Oaxacan cheese mirrors the mineral backbone; ceviche with pineapple salsa echoes the roasted fruit notes; dark chocolate with chili amplifies the cinnamon-pepper spice; and carnitas tacos with charred salsa align with the tequila's hardwood smoke character.What sizes does ArteNom 1123 Blanco come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle.Is ArteNom 1123 Blanco worth the price? It sits in the premium tier for blanco tequila, justified by the unusual barrel-conditioning process, the 95-point Tastings.com score, and a production method that genuinely differentiates it from conventional blancos at similar or higher price points.Why ArteNom 1123 Blanco?The 21-to-28-day rest in brandy casks seasoned with Oaxacan mezcal is not a marketing gimmick—it is a deliberate recreation of how blanco tequila was treated in the early 1900s before modern aging categories existed. That "Histórico" approach delivers a flavor profile that straddles tequila and mezcal territory without technically being either a reposado or a mezcal. The 95-point recognition from Tastings.com validates what the palate confirms: this is one of the most texturally complex and aromatically layered blancos on the market. For drinkers who think they know what unaged tequila can do, the 1123 is a compelling argument that the category still has surprises left.
