K&L Exclusive: Arette’s Rare Single Barrel Añejo Has Arrived  

Arette Artesanal K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Añejo Suave Tequila (750ml) ($84.99)

Josh Gelfand | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 30, 2025

The nose opens with beautiful, musty waves of cooked agave, rich cacao, and vanilla bean, followed by a lift of cinnamon spice, cracked black pepper, and damp, earthy oak. The first sip brings even more fruit into the picture, with ripe apricot joining dark cherries, all wrapped in warm floral notes and a peppery butterscotch undertone.

On the finish, herbs, spice, and a streak of minerality—common to lowland tequilas—gently blanket the lingering sweetness of the agave, leading to a rich, oily landing that’s both grounded and graceful. With only 15 months spent in used bourbon barrels, the oak is present but never overpowering. Instead, it adds a soft, woodsy caramel warmth that rounds out the entire experience beautifully.

K&L Notes: El Llano is one of Tequila’s most historic distilleries, tucked between the famous Fortaleza distillery to the south and Sauza’s La Perseverancia to the north. Nestled in a district lined with walled haciendas and legendary producers, El Llano quietly upholds the legacy of the Orendain family—pioneers of tequila alongside names like Cuervo and Sauza. Of the three distilleries still owned and operated by Orendain family members, El Llano is the oldest and most traditional. Since 1976, it has been run by Eduardo and Jaime Orendain, grandsons of Don Eduardo Orendain and champions of estate-grown agave, brick ovens, and classical valley-style tequila.

In 1986, they launched the Arette brand to honor Mexico’s only Olympic gold medalist in equestrian jumping, Humberto Mariles, and his horse Arete. Nearly four decades later, the brothers have finally begun experimenting with single barrels. This gorgeous single barrel of Añejo was selected in February 2025 and bottled in May at 15 months, untouched except for dilution to 92 proof. It’s a polished, no-gimmick expression of the valley style—warm, rounded, and honest, with layered oak, cooked agave, subtle spice, and a whisper of vanilla. A rare glimpse into the Orendains' exceptional craft.