Aqara Agave de Los Andes Agreste
Aqara Agave de Los Andes Agreste is a 45% ABV (90 proof) agave spirit in a 750mL bottle, distilled from wild Andean agaves in Caraz, Peru — rested at least three months, never oaked — a Peruvian expression of the agave category built on terroir rather than imitation of tequila or mezcal, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 45% (90 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Agaves: wild ensamble of Agave Americana Expansa Gentry and Agave Cordillerensis, harvested at ~10 years (24 Brix) with machetes — 18 kg of wild agave per liter of spirit
- "Agreste": more green ("verde") left on the agave at harvest than the Plateado, giving stronger, more distinct agave character
- Production: steam-cooked 7 hours in a jacketed mash tun; fermented in stainless steel with dry yeasts plus 5–10% bagazo; double-distilled in small copper pot stills (120L/150L)
- Origin: Caraz, Ancash, Peru — distilled at 2,256 meters in the Andes with Blanca mountain-range snowmelt; producer Marco Suarez Lara
Agave, but from the Andes
Aqara's founding idea is that agave spirits should not be a Mexican monopoly on flavor: the Andes grow their own wild agaves at altitude, and Aqara distills them into a spirit with a terroir all its own. In Caraz, Peru, producer Marco Suarez Lara harvests wild agaves at roughly ten years old, cutting them into small cubes, steam-cooking for seven hours, fermenting with a portion of the fiber (bagazo) for depth, and double-distilling in small copper pot stills. The Agreste expression rests at least three months without oak; the name reflects the harvest itself — more of the green left on the agave than the Plateado, for a stronger agave voice. With only 18 kilos of wild agave yielding a single liter, every bottle is a labor of the mountain. Discover more boundary-pushing spirits in our whisky adjacent range — or better, the full Aqara lineup.
Tasting Notes
Importer and retailer notes (no official brand tasting notes found) describe an intense, enveloping spirit: hints of moist earth on the nose, a powerful and complex palate with a smooth texture, aromas of tropical fruits, peaches, and quince, and a long finish. Rustic and wild — "agreste" in spirit as well as name.
How to Enjoy
Sip it neat at room temperature to meet the wild agave on its own terms — this is a spirit for the curious. It also brings Andean character to cocktails: try it in an agave Old Fashioned or a high-altitude margarita variation with grapefruit. Pair with ceviche or grilled meats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aqara a tequila or a mezcal?
Neither. It is a Peruvian agave spirit distilled from wild Andean agaves in Caraz, Peru. The brand positions itself as expanding the agave category on terroir, not imitating tequila or mezcal.
What does "Agreste" mean?
For this brand it means more green ("verde") is left on the agave at harvest than for the Plateado — giving the distillate stronger, more distinct agave character. (The word literally means "wild" or "rustic" in Spanish.)
What agaves are used?
A wild ensamble of Agave Americana Expansa Gentry and Agave Cordillerensis, harvested at roughly 10 years old.
Who makes it?
Marco Suarez Lara, in Caraz, Ancash, Peru — distilled at 2,256 meters in the Andes using Blanca mountain-range snowmelt.
The Andes, distilled — order Aqara Agave de Los Andes Agreste online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.