GSN Review: Alto Canto Reposado

NEW YORK CITY, USA |August 12, 2024

Alto Canto is an artisanal, small-batch, certified organic collection of tequilas developed by Founder Daday Suarez and Master Distiller Juan Reyes. Located at 9,000 feet in the Sierra del Tigre mountains of Jalisco, Alto Canto, meaning ‘high song’, was built using traditional methods to create a distillery where the terroir produces an exceptional spirit. The distillery uses certified organic agave and mountain spring water, while following ancestral processes passed down through generations.

“Originally I planned to buy tequila and market it in the U.S. as a legacy project for my family,” shares Founder and General Manager Daday Suárez. “I soon realized I wanted to build something from the ground up that celebrates the best of Mexico and its terroir. Juan had the same vision, and together, we spent five years building a distillery to make tequila in the purest way possible.”

Alto Canto is distilled at the highest altitude of any tequila in Mexico using organic agaves cooked for 72 hours in traditional brick ovens. The agaves are macerated by tahona (a volcanic rock wheel) to prevent stressing the fibers, then transferred to wooden tanks for natural fermentation. A second Malolactic fermentation brings flavors to their peak.

Wild malolactic fermentation occurs over 80 hours, with endemic yeasts creating a unique flavor profile. The fermented product is then distilled in copper stills. The high altitude causes the alcohol to evaporate at a lower temperature, resulting in a smoother tequila. Alto Canto ages its tequilas in new American oak barrels inside a building made from local adobe bricks, which breathe the terroir and allow for a slow extraction of flavors and aromas.

This process, called Tequila de Altura, reinvents the tequila tradition in its purest form. High altitude and lower pressures result in better quality. The endemic yeasts, distillation process, and mountain aging create quality spirits.

Complementing its artisanal production, Alto Canto Tequila fosters biodiversity by planting cherry and apple trees known for their beneficial yeast profiles. Waste reduction is central to their sustainability, focusing on recyclable packaging and efficient resource use. The brand empowers the local community with fair wages, development initiatives, and investments in education and infrastructure, creating a positive impact beyond the distillery.

GSN’s Remarks: Heavy notes of agave enrobed with hints of vanilla bean, oak wood, baking spice, sour cream, dark cherry and brown bread. Lovely, exceptionally smooth entry on the palate with a sweet, lightly floral character. Some initial notes of honey, cream puff, and marshmallow fade as the oak and char add a pervasive brightness and drying aspect on the finish. The body is medium-light, while the fade is medium-long. A real gem of a sipping reposado. GSN Rating: A+