La Venenosa | Raicilla Tabernas 70cl

Raicilla Tabernas by La Venenosa

The spirit that fooled the Spanish tax collectors — and has been doing it in style for over 600 years. Raicilla is a type of mezcal native to the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Around 1780, artisans making mezcal in Jalisco adopted the name Raicilla to convince tax collectors it wasn't mezcal — and therefore not taxable. The ruse worked. The spirit survived. And Jalisco's agave diversity, second only to Oaxaca, has made it one of the most exciting terroirs in the agave world.

This expression — Tabernas — is made by Don Chalio Rodriguez in the small coastal village of El Tuito, Jalisco. It uses Chico Aguiar agave, native to the region, roasted in a traditional oven of wood and stone, then double-distilled in a stainless steel Philippine still. The result is soft, herbal, and buttery — with subtle cooked agave notes, a dry palate, and a smooth, long finish.

• Style: Raicilla
• Producer: La Venenosa (founded 2011 by chef Esteban Morales)
• Maestro: Don Chalio Rodriguez, El Tuito, Jalisco
• Agave: Chico Aguiar (native to Jalisco coast)
• ABV: 44.4%
• Volume: 70cl
• Roasting: Wood and stone oven
• Distillation: Double-distilled, stainless steel Philippine still
• Nose: Soft, herbal, butter
• Palate: Dry, subtle cooked agave, smooth and long finish

600 years of Jalisco agave tradition. Hidden in plain sight.