La Venenosa Raicilla Rhodacantha (Green Label), Costa de Jalisco (91 proof)

Item Number: 7806

UPC: 0-799599687692

Country: Mexico
Region: Jalisco
Estate Grown Wine: No
Grape(s): Rhodacantha Agave / Chico Aguiar Agave
Type: Spirits - Raicilla
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Pack: 6
Closure: T Top
Alc by Vol(%): 45.5
Soil Type: Sandy, medium nitrogen
Elevation: 1,900 feet

The tree trunk distillation used by Alberto ‘Beto’ Hernández is something we don’t get to experience in most other spirits of the world. Unique in style and flavor, this coastal raicilla brings us a glimpse into some of the oldest distilling techniques of Mexico. This expression is historically significant, as well as culturally and economically impactful.

Tabernero (Distiller): Don Alberto Hernández
Village: El Tuito
Oven: Above ground adobe with volcanic rock and oak
Milling: Hand chopped with a machete before passing through shredder
Fermentation: Wild yeast in wooden vats
Distillation: Twice
Still Style: Filipino-style still made from copper and the trunk of a Higuera Blanca tree

Tasting Notes: La Venenosa Costa has notes of sweet smoke, roasted pineapple, and green pepper. The palate shows pine, cedar, and earth. There is a great balance of smoke and agave.

About Raicilla: Raicilla is a type of mezcal that has been produced in Jalisco for over 400 years. In the 1780s, mezcal artisans began using the name 'raicilla' to evade a mezcal tax imposed by the Spanish Crown—a clever deception that proved successful. Despite its deep roots, raicilla remains relatively unknown, largely overshadowed by Jalisco’s most famous mezcal, Tequila. However, Jalisco is home to a remarkable diversity of agave species, second only to Oaxaca. This rich biodiversity, combined with varied terroirs, traditional equipment, and unique production techniques, makes raicilla a fascinating spirit—one that offers an extraordinary journey through flavor and history.