Arette

Arette Tequila is produced by the Orendain family at the historic El Llano distillery in Tequila, Jalisco — a family with over a century of tequila production history in the valley town where tequila itself originates. The brand was founded in 1986 and named for “Arete,” the horse that won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in show jumping for Mexico at the 1948 London Games. Additive-free, verified by the Tequila Matchmaker. 100% estate-grown Blue Weber agave from the Tequila Valley lowlands.

The Orendain family’s production philosophy at El Llano centers on traditional Tequila Valley methods: brick oven cooking, roller mill crushing, and stainless steel fermentation. The Tequila Valley lowland terroir — the original region that gave tequila its name and appellation — produces agave with a different character than the Los Altos highlands: more herbaceous, more mineral, earthier, and drier, with less of the fruity sweetness that highland agave develops at altitude. This makes Arette expressions distinctively dry and mineral compared to the sweet, fruit-forward style that has dominated the ultra-premium mainstream.

The lineup spans multiple tiers. Arette Blanco — unaged, bright and agave-forward with floral and citrus notes, the purest expression of Tequila Valley terroir. Arette Artesanal Blanco — traditional production using a more hands-on process that increases agave fiber contact and produces a more intense, mineral-driven character than the standard Blanco. Arette Suave Añejo — aged 20 months in previously used Four Roses bourbon and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey barrels: the used barrels impart more restrained oak influence than new barrels, allowing the Tequila Valley agave character to remain prominent through 20 months of aging. Arette Gran Clase Extra Añejo — 36 months in American white oak, hand-decorated bottle, limited production, the apex of the lineup.

Browse all tequila, additive-free tequila, and añejo expressions at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arette Tequila and why is it considered underrated?

Arette is produced by the Orendain family at El Llano distillery in the town of Tequila itself — one of the oldest families in Jalisco tequila production, operating in the valley that gave tequila its name. The brand is consistently cited as underrated because it offers genuine traditional Tequila Valley character — dry, mineral, herbaceous, additive-free — at prices well below more heavily marketed premium brands with similar or lesser production credentials. The Artesanal Blanco in particular is frequently recommended by tequila enthusiasts as one of the best traditional-style blancos available under $40. The Orendain family name also appears on other tequila brands produced at El Llano, but Arette represents their flagship expression of traditional Valley production.

What makes Arette Suave Añejo’s barrel choice unusual?

Most añejo tequila uses new American white oak barrels or previously used bourbon barrels. Arette Suave Añejo specifically uses previously used Four Roses bourbon barrels and previously used Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey barrels together. The “previously used” designation matters: barrels that have already held whiskey have already released most of their extractable vanilla, tannin, and lactone compounds into the prior spirit. Using them for tequila aging produces a softer, more restrained oak influence — adding vanilla and caramel without the aggressive wood tannin that new oak would contribute over 20 months. The specific combination of Four Roses (fruity, floral bourbon character) and Jack Daniel’s (Tennessee whiskey, charcoal-mellowed) adds distinct layering that single-barrel-type aging cannot achieve. The word “Suave” (smooth) in the name directly references the softening effect of the used-barrel approach.

Is Arette additive-free?

Yes — independently verified as additive-free by the Tequila Matchmaker, meaning no glycerin, caramel coloring, oak extract, or sugar syrup has been added to any expression. The mineral, dry character of Arette is what Tequila Valley lowland agave actually tastes like without supplementation — which is a useful reference point for understanding how additives change the taste of tequilas that use them.