La Venenosa Raicilla Costa
45.5% ABV (91 proof, green label — batch ABV varies, check label) | 750mL | Unaged | Rhodacantha + Angustifolia agave, double-distilled in a Filipino still | Llano Grande, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco — La Venenosa Raicilla Costa is a coastal ("de la Costa") raicilla from a single taberna in Llano Grande, Cabo Corrientes — a wild, savory, small-production agave spirit from maestro tabernero Don Alberto Hernández.
Raicilla is Jalisco's other agave spirit — not tequila, not mezcal. For the Costa expression, agave hearts (a batch-varying mix of Rhodacantha, locally Amarillo Grande, maturing ~12 years, and Angustifolia, Chico Aguiar, ~8 years) are cooked in a wood-fired above-ground adobe oven, then double-distilled in a Filipino-style still of copper and a hollowed-out higüera blanca tree trunk. Aromatically dense and savory: nuts, pine, mastic, olive brine, sawdust, cedar, and cocoa on the nose; bright acidity — unusual in a spirit — with olive, funk, resin, wine-like tannins, yuzu, herbs, terracotta, and fresh carrot on the palate; smooth and refreshing into a sweet-spice settle — available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Tasting notes
Brand/retailer notes: nose of nuts, pine, mastic, olive brine, sawdust, cedar, cocoa; palate of bright acidity, olive, funk, resin, wine-like tannins, yuzu, herbs, terracotta, fresh carrot; smooth, refreshing finish with sweet spice.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- Coastal raicilla from a single taberna — Don Alberto Hernández, Llano Grande, ~700m above sea level
- Wild agave, traditional methods — adobe-oven cooking, double distillation in a Filipino tree-trunk still
- A savory, funky, wine-like agave spirit — nothing like tequila
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat at room temperature in a copita to catch the savory aromatics; it also brings funk and salinity to a mezcal-style cocktail.
Frequently asked questions
Is raicilla the same as tequila?
No. Raicilla is a distinct Jalisco agave spirit — traditionally made in small coastal and highland tabernas with wild agave and rustic stills. It's unaged here and bottled at 91 proof.
Why does the ABV vary?
Small-batch production — different batches have been observed at 45.5%, 46.6%, and 47.3% ABV. Check the bottle label for your batch.
What does it taste like?
Savory and funky rather than sweet — nuts, olive brine, pine, resin, bright acidity, and a wine-like tannic structure.