Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) announced a new spirit that explores what happens when a legendary whiskey maker applies decades of whiskey-making knowledge to the craft of tequila. 

Introducing Gran Nota Triple Oak Reposado – a modern tequila shaped by the discipline and patience of renowned whiskey distiller Chip Tate in collaboration with the Bañuelos family. Crafted on-site by the master distiller himself in the highlands of Jalisco at Hacienda El Mexicano (NOM 1588), this ultra-premium reposado is the first from Tate’s Gran Nota brand and represents a distinctive evolution in tequila— where the complex aging principles often used in whisky blending are applied.  

Gran Nota Triple Oak Reposado begins with 100% mature Blue Weber agave from the Highlands of Jalisco, slow cooked for three days in traditional brick ovens using atmospheric steam rather than pressure-cooking in autoclaves. This deliberate process develops rich, caramelized agave notes while retaining the spirit’s natural sweetness and avoiding harsher, acrid flavors. The result is a rounded, nuanced base spirit with a pronounced cooked-agave character.

Tate’s award-winning innovation enters the process as the liquid is then fermented for five days with a proprietary malt whiskey yeast typically used in the production of fine Scotch-style whiskies – a true departure from conventional tequila methods – to create a richer, more expressive fermentation profile. The yeast contributes weight, texture and signature notes of fresh pear and ripe fruit, producing a fuller-bodied spirit with greater aromatic complexity.

During distillation, only the finest hearts are selected, with exceptional cut precision, emphasizing purity and structure. Gran Nota Reposado is then rested for five to fourteen months in a signature Triple Oak maturation program that combines new custom American oak, new custom European oak and select ex-whiskey barrels. Each barrel type is specified with different toast levels, enabling targeted extraction across the blend. Tate’s aging techniques balance newer oak influence with seasoned barrels to modulate structure and texture while preserving agave character. The result is a reposado with layered oak integration, controlled wood impact, and a measured expression of the base spirit.

“Gran Nota is about unlocking agave’s layers and dimensions,” Tate said in a news release. “Working alongside the Bañuelos family, we set out to explore how innovative fermentation and a triple oak maturation approach could reveal new dimensions of flavor, while still honoring the essence of the agave. I’ve wanted to create a reposado that feels familiar yet is undeniably new in its expression of the interplay between the piña and the Oak. True craft celebrates tradition by reinvigorating and building on deep roots.”

Bottled at 45% ABV, Gran Nota Reposado shows a notably deeper color than most reposados, reflecting the layered extraction achieved through its maturation program, high-impact toast specifications and longer-than-typical aging. New oak contributes measured tannin, structure and aromatic lift without overwhelming the agave. 

Gran Nota is the fourth in a line of unique and award-winning spirits developed by Tate, Master Distiller of Innovation for Foley Family Wines & Spirits, which also includes Ampersand, a collection of small batch spirits; Gambit No. 6 Whiskey, a 6-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon aged in six different finishing casks; and Penumbra Mezcal, a single-palenque Espadin.

Gran Nota Reposado is available for purchase nationwide at select retailers (SRP $55), in Mexico, and online at https://www.grannotatequila.com.

Gran Nota Images can be found here: Brand Portal – Foley Family Wines & Spirits

Gran Nota—meaning “great note”—is a modern tequila born from the collaboration of Tate and the legendary Bañuelos family, bringing together generations of tequila-making expertise, innovative fermentation and Triple Oak aging. 

Read more:  Penumbra Mezcal Launches via Foley Family Wines & Spirits

About Foley Family Wines & Spirits

Established by Bill Foley in 1996, Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) is a portfolio of highly acclaimed wines and spirits from some of the world’s greatest estates. The company owns more than 24 wineries and a distillery, each with its distinct style, legacy, and approach to hospitality. The growing global spirits portfolio includes High Ground Vodka, Charles Goodnight Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, New Zealand’s Lighthouse Gin, El Mexicano Tequila, the Loch Lomond Group portfolio of Scotch and spirits, and Two Stacks Irish Whiskey and Killowen Distillery. To learn more about Foley Family Wines & Spirits, visit ffws.com/spirits.