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NOBLE PURSUITS

RUN, DON’T WALK. WITH ONLY 560 BOTTLES IN THE WORLD, CASA NOBLE’S ALTA BELLEZA IS CHICAGO’S NEWEST NOT-TO-BE-MISSED SPIRIT.

- BY ALDOUS TUCK

Run, don’t walk. With only

560 bottles in the world, Casa Noble’s Alta Belleza is Chicago’s newest not-to-be-missed sip.

With a family history of tequila-making that reaches back two centuries, Jose “Pepe” Hermosillo, Casa Noble’s CEO and founding partner, has tequila in his blood. This legacy just went ultra-luxe with a limitededi­tion release of an exceptiona­l añejo, the Alta Belleza ($1,200). Hermosillo shares the journey of this outstandin­g expression.

How long did it take to create Alta Belleza? Nearly 16 years—which included handpickin­g 12-year-old blue agave, triple-distilling the añejo in small batches, and then aging it for three years before a six-month finishing in T5 Tonnelleri­e Taransaud French Oak wine barrels [that] formerly held Robert Mondavi To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon. What makes the Taransaud barrels so special?

We have worked with the Taransaud cooperage for years, so it was quite an opportunit­y to access these particular barrels, which add a singular complexity to the taste profile.

Share the elements of that taste profile.

It is a blend of two places: Jalisco, Mexico, and the Napa Valley. The complex tastes of sweet cooked agave, toasted almond and cinnamon, and the aromas of green apple and spices mingle with finishing notes of nuts, green pepper, and cinnamon from the wine barrels, which also deliver a beautiful copper tone. Available at The Marq, 60 W. Adams St., 312-6004434; themarqchi­cago.com

 ??  ?? Connoisseu­r’s cup: gose “Pepe” eermosillo, the CEL and founding partner of Casa koble, has perfected a limitededi­tion añejo, Alta Belleza, that retails for A1,2MM a bottle.
Connoisseu­r’s cup: gose “Pepe” eermosillo, the CEL and founding partner of Casa koble, has perfected a limitededi­tion añejo, Alta Belleza, that retails for A1,2MM a bottle.

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