Bartenders and spirits connoisseurs are all the time in search of “the brand new new factor,” speaking about what’s scorching or up and coming in what’s getting on the radar of mixologists and sippers. You by no means actually know what’s scorching (and what’s lasting) till the lagging gross sales numbers are available in, however I’m guessing raicilla could be the subsequent one to take off from Mexico.
Raicilla comes from the state of Jalisco, similar to tequila, however is way much less well-known. It has extra in frequent than not, with origins in a kind of agave similar to tequila or mezcal. It has a novel taste profile of its personal although, characterised by a tangy citrus aspect that goes past what comes via in its agave cousins.
I first tried this by way of the Venenosa model at a Jalisco Tourism occasion within the USA a few years in the past after which had it once more on the 4 Seasons Punta Mita and wrote this publish on 4 Mexican spirits that aren’t well-known. A type of I don’t care if I ever strive once more, Sotol will be wildly inconsistent, and I’ve written about charanda from Michoacan at that hyperlink. Which leaves raicilla, a spirit that has loads of room to run.
Raicilla Historical past and Types
Simply as there are actually two variations of tequila—lowland and highland—there are additionally two variations of raicilla. There’s a coastal type and an inland type. Connoisseurs say that the advanced flavors are largely influenced by the terroir the place it’s cultivated and skilled sippers can simply inform the 2 variations aside. Typically, the highland model is lighter, extra floral, and has extra complexity. A part of this distinction is enhanced by the preparation, which can also be extra heavy-handed within the coastal areas.
Like a variety of Mexican spirits, raicilla went underground in the course of the Spanish colonial interval when the Europeans tried to push their very own merchandise and closely taxed native ones. (An odd twist that also exists at this time with Mexican wine for some purpose, making it costlier than Chilean or Argentine variations shipped from 1000’s of miles away.) Due to this, raicilla turned a farmer’s drink loved within the residence and at festivals, hardly ever bought commercially in shops.
It was onerous to even discover a model that wasn’t in recycled plastic jugs at the start of this century. The spirit does now have a protected Denomination of Origin although, which implies you possibly can’t make an agave spirit in some random place exterior of Jalisco or Nayarit and nonetheless name it raicilla.
This DoM places circumstances on what sort of agave plant can be utilized, how it may be produced, and the place. Whereas solely Weber blue agave can be utilized to make tequila, raicilla is extra versatile, like mezcal, which might result in extra selection.
At present, it’s more and more celebrated as a conventional Mexican spirit with its personal distinctive traits and nuances.
Raicilla Tasting Notes
Raicilla can vary from floral and fruity to smoky and earthy relying on a variety of completely different terroir components and the manufacturing technique. The kind of nonetheless used additional influences the spirit’s style, with clay offering a extra earthy end, whereas metal leads to a cleaner, extra refined profile. Some producers use the mezcal technique of smoking the agave fruit in a pit, whereas others use ovens and get one thing extra refined.
The defining attribute that shines via is that further tanginess that you just don’t get with the opposite agave spirits.
The model of Raicilla I tasted on the 4 Seasons Punta Mita Resort was by Divisidero, positioned off a rustic street between Mismaloya and Yalapa, south of Puerto Vallarta. A coastal model certainly. I didn’t precisely find it irresistible, partly as a result of I’m probably not a fan of spirits that style like smoke except they’re in a well-made cocktail. In the event you’re going to drink smoke straight, it’d as nicely be mezcal or Scotch, so I couldn’t get too enthusiastic about this model.
That was simply the blanco model that I attempted, nevertheless, which is commonly the worst one to drink neat with tequila as nicely. I feel I’d like that model much more if I attempted it in one of many cocktail recipes they’ve featured on their web site.
Whereas again in Nayarit not too long ago, nevertheless, I obtained to strive a blanco, reposado, and añejo model of Tersa raicilla from the Jalisco highlands and this was a complete completely different story. I used to be able to go purchase bottles for residence after the primary sip. I don’t know the way straightforward it will be to search out although: they don’t actually have a net web page, only a Fb account, and their contact e mail is a free gmail deal with. Their Instagram account with a number of followers hyperlinks to their Amazon buy web page.
Hopefully they’ll survive and ultimately safe wider distribution as a result of I preferred what I tasted.
The individuality of this spirit comes via within the nostril earlier than you even sip, an assertive citrus overtone that mixes with the alcohol vapors to depart a little bit sting in your nostril. Then there’s a rush of flavors going throughout your tongue while you sip it, a mixture of candy and bitter tastes that you just’d usually want a margarita to mix. With raicilla they’re inherent within the spirit itself.
Simply as that cocktail comprised of one other spirit will get sweeter after the salted rim hit has handed, so is the case with the development of an aged raicilla as you’re sipping it. At first you get the tangy citrus punch, then the end is nice and extra agave-like.
The reposado model I attempted was just a bit smoother, a bit extra refined. Then even the añejo model retained that particular tang. Sure, the model that’s aged probably the most has a darker shade, a extra difficult nostril, and an essence of maturity, nevertheless it doesn’t style something like another barrel spirit you’ve had. There’s a pleasing tartness that hasn’t been worn down or overpowered by the oak.
Like I stated although, this expertise can range rather a lot by model and native land, so ideally strive a number of when you’re in Jalisco or Nayarit and when you discover one you want, purchase it then and there as you may not see it anyplace once more.
Raicilla Manufacturers to Look For
La Venenosa is the pioneer model of this spirit, the primary one to actually bottle it up and get folks to take it significantly as one thing value stocking on the bar. They’re nonetheless probably the most well-liked manufacturers and it’s typically simpler to search out than the others. It was the primary to export to the US.
Venenosa has quite a lot of completely different variations with various ranges of getting old, agave sort, and alcohol. Two of them go for greater than $100 if you wish to get fancy.
The Divisidero model I attempted is making inroads and also you’ll discover it on the bar of among the high-end resorts in Jalisco and Nayarit. In the event you’re looking for Raicilla within the USA, it will get harder, then much more tough once more in Canada or Europe.
This won’t final, I’m positive, simply because it didn’t while you have been fortunate to discover a single model of mezcal in an American liquor retailer. Now there are U.S. mezcal bars with 100 manufacturers. For now, search for these manufacturers on U.S. cabinets or in high-end Mexican eating places with a superb spirits choice:
Balam Raicilla – With a colourful Huichol jaguar head on the white label, this one is simple to identify. Out there in blanco and añejo variations.
Malik – finest identified for its rectangular tequila bottles with a punched metallic label that the blind would have the ability to pick by really feel, Malik additionally makes a blanco raicilla that received a silver on the prestigious San Francisco Spirits Tasting Competitors. See their web site right here.
Estancia Raicilla – There’s nothing routine about this model made with maximiliana agave, roasted in a giant adobe oven, then fermented in three sorts of vessels. A type of is the form of big clay pots they nonetheless use to make wine within the nation of Georgia and some different spots all over the world.
Have you ever tried raicilla but, both neat or in a cocktail? What did you assume?
