Fascinating! Love this background, have not heard of raicilla. Knew agave products, tequila- mezcal, had a long and complicated history but never knew how much. And that the products date back to 16th century, even involving the Phiippines for distillery science. Cabo Corrientes must have been beautifull. Love the micro climate--platanos AND agave! Cool!
thank you and thanks for reading! yeah it was a pretty beautiful area with an incredible amount of history, just right outside of Vallarta. If you're interested take a peak at the next couple parts as well, there's a lot to unpack with agave spirits actually - especially politically!
I have ne er heard of raicilla. But I love mezcla. My husband and I were stuck in Oaxaca for 4 mo ths last year. We discovered a planque off the beaten path with 12 different types of mezcla and a very generous owner. It was best mexcal we found except for one will mezcla from another palenque. We visited this planque often and it is part of what kept us sane until we could leave Oaxaca.
Now we are going to have to seek out raicilla when we return one day. Is it similar to mezcal?
how did you get stuck there?? sounds like quite a story. but hey I'm sure having some good mezcal nearby definitely helped!
Raicilla is similar! It's a regional mezcal to Jalisco. the differences will come throughout the process (the agaves used, the type of distillation, how they roast the pinas, etc). the still used in most of the raicilla, at least on the coast, is the Filipino style still made out of wood. I believe most mezcal these days, unless it's labeled "ancestral," uses a copper still. as far as the taste goes, it would be similar but likely less of that "smokey" flavor people often associate with mezcal.
I love the smokey flavor of mezcal. We got stuck because our van broke down, we lost our transmission. It took 4 months to get it fixed - long story. Sorry for all the typos - spell check keeps changing my words.
It's a bit tough to find outside Mexico. I've heard you can find Mezonte Raicilla Japo in the US - that's one from Cabo Corrientes that's pretty good. I've seen La Venenosa Raicilla in Seattle which is okay, but a bit more industrialized nowadays.
Fascinating! Love this background, have not heard of raicilla. Knew agave products, tequila- mezcal, had a long and complicated history but never knew how much. And that the products date back to 16th century, even involving the Phiippines for distillery science. Cabo Corrientes must have been beautifull. Love the micro climate--platanos AND agave! Cool!
thank you and thanks for reading! yeah it was a pretty beautiful area with an incredible amount of history, just right outside of Vallarta. If you're interested take a peak at the next couple parts as well, there's a lot to unpack with agave spirits actually - especially politically!
I have ne er heard of raicilla. But I love mezcla. My husband and I were stuck in Oaxaca for 4 mo ths last year. We discovered a planque off the beaten path with 12 different types of mezcla and a very generous owner. It was best mexcal we found except for one will mezcla from another palenque. We visited this planque often and it is part of what kept us sane until we could leave Oaxaca.
Now we are going to have to seek out raicilla when we return one day. Is it similar to mezcal?
how did you get stuck there?? sounds like quite a story. but hey I'm sure having some good mezcal nearby definitely helped!
Raicilla is similar! It's a regional mezcal to Jalisco. the differences will come throughout the process (the agaves used, the type of distillation, how they roast the pinas, etc). the still used in most of the raicilla, at least on the coast, is the Filipino style still made out of wood. I believe most mezcal these days, unless it's labeled "ancestral," uses a copper still. as far as the taste goes, it would be similar but likely less of that "smokey" flavor people often associate with mezcal.
I love the smokey flavor of mezcal. We got stuck because our van broke down, we lost our transmission. It took 4 months to get it fixed - long story. Sorry for all the typos - spell check keeps changing my words.
I’ve never been much of a fan of tequila but love a historical deep dive
I actually haven't really cared much for tequila either, but raicilla is sooooo much different on the palate - have you tried it?
I have not! Have any recs for a good intro to this spirit?
It's a bit tough to find outside Mexico. I've heard you can find Mezonte Raicilla Japo in the US - that's one from Cabo Corrientes that's pretty good. I've seen La Venenosa Raicilla in Seattle which is okay, but a bit more industrialized nowadays.
You're whetting my appetite for my trip to Sayulita next winter. Wondering if I can find raicilla in that area, or just further inland?
I'm pretty sure you can find it there! Once it gets a little closer I can ask my friend if he knows any bars or good places to find it :)
Fascinating stuff. Looking forward to part two.
Thanks you!