Winter tends to be a quiet time of year, where we cozy up and reflect on the past and what’s to come. For those looking to add a spirited adventure to the season, we suggest revisiting three of the most common varieties within the agave spirits world side by side. Even if this is a review for you and your palate, let it serve as a foundation of sense memory upon which to build over the year ahead, which is sure to bring many more complex spirits and new styles. So to start off this year of DIY tastings we are, in some ways, going back to basics with a sampling of Mezcal, Raicilla, and Sotol.
The Spirits
El Rey Zapoteco Espadin
This is one of my go-to bottles for an all purpose mezcal and/or as an introduction to Oaxaca artisanal mezcal. Made by the Hernandez Escobar family in Santiago Matatlan, this bottling is consistently of good quality that shows off the classic flavors of espadin like roasted pineapple, crushed rock minerality, and light citrus and floral undertones. The fact that this remains a family producer owned brand from Matatlan is the cherry on top!
Las Perlas De Jalisco Costa Raicilla
The flagship bottling from Las Perlas, made by Santiago Diaz Ramos in Las Guasimas on the coast of Jalisco shows off my favorite flavors of Raicilla- it is spicy, crisp, clean, and full of complexity. Both Amarillo (Angustifolia) and Verde (rhodacantha) varieties are used. It’s easy to understand why the producing family is held in high esteem both regionally and internationally when it comes to agave spirits.
Origen Raiz Sotol
One of my go-to bottles of sotol comes from Valentin Cortes, one of the most iconic artisanal agave spirits producers of our time. As expected, this sotol is rich with nuance and complexity, featuring the flavors of ripe plants and expert craftsmanship. The characteristic high tones acidity and vegetal flavors are intermixed with earthy clay and dried citrus, and a distinctly silky texture. If you’ve tried a few versions of sotol and are still on the fence, this is a must.
The Pairings
Chocolate Covered Raisins
A little sweet, a little tart, and a little tannic- this easy and tasty snack provides a deceptively complex combination of flavors for the mezcal to bounce off of- highlighting the fruity, sweet, and roasted qualities. Could you swap it for another chocolate covered fruit like cranberries or pomegranate? Absolutely.
Chipotle Almonds
Subtle, smoky and spicy, this crunchy and savory bite is packed with a lot of flavors that are naturally found in Raicilla, especially Las Perlas. Bright chili notes echo the piquancy and feature the citrus and mineral notes of the spirit. Store bought seasoned almonds work well, or make your own to customize the heat level- and feel free to play around with different combinations of chilis.
Cheddar
Not all cheddars are created equal, and the name and designation actually refers to a process rather than a flavor profile- but most cheddars will offer tangy lactic notes in addition to their unique flavors that can range from horseradish to pineapple. The high acid of cheddar makes it a natural complement to the often vegetal tartness of Sotol, coaxing out the fruitier and sweeter notes underneath.
Notes
As always use these suggestions as jumping off points-both the spirit selections and the pairings. Use what you have on hand and don’t overthink it: have raisins and chocolate chips- eat them together in one bite. Since it’s the beginning of the year I suggest keeping notes in a new notebook or digital document. If you follow along the entire year, by the end you’ll have a treasure trove of pairing notes that will take you to expert level at pairing your favorite spirits and snacks.
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