Raicilla is made with agave Maximiliana at Rancho Nuevo in Atenguillo, Jalisco. It is produced by Maestro Julio Topete Becerra, who cooks the agave in a standing Adobe oven, mashing the cooked agave by hand and with wooden mallets. He then ferments the cooked agave in 200 liter white oak tubs, and then distills this Raicilla in twice in stainless steel pots.
La Reina
Artisanal Raicilla
The agave used in La Reina® raicilla (raicilla de la sierra) production is agave maximiliana. This kind of agave is a unique endemic species that prefers the hilly shady areas for the sierra to grow.
In this region regulations say only 10% of the regions agave can be harvested, so this happens when the rainy season is over and agaves are no longer bloated. Agave maximiliana only reproduce from the seeds of the quiote (stalk), this means it does not produce hijuelos (baby clones that sprout from the roots) like many other types of agave.
Crystalline, with silver sparkles. Clean and transparent.
Several notes of cooked Agave maximiliana, white pepper and grape.
Roasted fruit, toasted sugar, oak, caramel, orange zest.
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ABV: | 42% |
Xavier Villagrán, whose family has worked in mezcal for three generations, is a raicilla pioneer who founded BALAM fifteen years ago. Balam was the first brand of raicilla to be marketed nationally in Mexico. Villagrán sources excellent artisanal spirits: mezcals in Oaxaca, raicilla in each of Jalisco’s three distillation regions (coast, highlands, llano), Sótoles from Chihuahua and Durango, and the rare Churique from the tiny Lechuguilla agave. Balam has won several major gold medals.
Balam
Raicilla tuxca
Balam has won several major gold medals thanks to its flavor.
Crystalline, with silver sparkles, clean and transparent.
Baked vegetable agave, along with slightly bitter orange peel and toasted tropical fruits.
Orange peel and salt.
Raicilla sierra
Crystalline, with silver sparkles, clean and transparent.
Sweet banana and toasted fruit.
Lovely vegetal flavors that are delicate with a slight minerality.
Raicillero: | Rosalio Rodríguez |
Maguey: | Amarillo, Chico aguillar |
Agave: | Angustifolia, Rhodacantha |
Destilation: | Cobre |
Style: | Joven |
Estate: | Jalisco |
Town: | El tuito |
ABV: | 45% |
Maguey Aging: | 7-10 years |