A rich and pure infusion of star anis into Bacanora that will make you reconsider most classic anisettes.
Details
- Location: Bacanora, Sonora
- Agave: A. angustifolia Haw.
- Maestro Mezcalero: Manuel “El Toro” Chacón
- ABV: 40%
- Tasting keywords: Anis and star anise
- NOM: 168
- Buy it today
Nose
It’s like sticking your nose into a jar of anise; a wonderfully rich, down-to-earth encounter with the spice.
Taste
You can taste the star anise immediately, and it’s surprising because there’s nothing sugary or artificial about it. That’s a sad testament to all the other ingredients in so many liquors because this bottle tastes fresh and exciting. It has a touch of the off sweet that speaks to the agave sugars and Bacanora keel.
Method / Background Notes
This has aperitif written all over it. Put it on ice for a fun run at Mediterranean traditions but I know that bartenders will want to use it in all sorts of drinks both as a base in its own right and as one of those aching accents like the absinthe in an A la Louisianne. It really sings exactly because it doesn’t have any additives, that pure spice flavor is loud and proud.
Santo Cuviso co-creator Gunther Maier told me that the Chacon family “soak star anise in water until it becomes a syrup, there are no other additives, then infuse that syrup into the joven over 24-48 hours, filter and bottle.”
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