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Ancho Reyes Original Liqueur
About Ancho Reyes Original Liqueur
Ancho Reyes Original Liqueur is produced by Licorera Ancho Reyes – a Pueblo City, Mexico based spirits brand. Launched in 2012, they produce a small selection of specialty chile liqueurs. The brand was bought out by Campari Group in 2019.
This particular bottle of Original Liqueur is their first and flagship product, which was inspired by a family recipe for a menjurje (medicinal mixture). It utilizes ancho chiles (poblano chiles dried) as well as additional peppers, sugar, and other ingredients. Their chiles are grown in the volcanic valley land of San Martín Texmelucan de Labastida. The anchos are harvested red, and then sundried for about 15-20 days. They are then hand cut, infused for 6 months in neutral cane spirit, and blended with the other ingredients. It is rested before bottling.
Bottle Specs
❖ ABV: 40%
❖ Distillery: Ancho Reyes
❖ Aging: N/A
❖ Price Point: moderate price
My Tasting notes
The aroma of this liqueur was sweet at first, with an almost yeast-like smell that I couldn’t pinpoint. After several sniffs, the dried ancho scent came out strong, and I could picture hanging dried chiles in my mind’s eye.
I took a sip, and it was surprisingly sweet in the front, followed by chile pepper flavor. The ancho chile was clear as day, as if I had licked straight chili powder. There was also piloncillo flavor in the background that added a touch of warmth and sweetness. For a spicy liqueur, it felt very sippable.
Cocktail
For my cocktail, I originally wanted to make a simple margarita, just replacing the triple sec with Ancho Reyes. However, as I was putting together my specs, I got inspired to make several adjustments that ended up creating a different variation. Because of the earthy red color of the chile peppers, and the smokiness of the flavors, I decided to name it after the volcanic rock tenzontle. I hope you enjoy it!
Tenzontle Margarita
Ingredients
- 1oz Mezcal
- 1oz Ancho Reyes Original Liqueur
- 1oz lime juice
- 1/2oz strawberry syrup
- garnish: red sugar rim
Instructions
- Rim a small glass with red colored sugar, using simple syrup to help it stick.
- Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the glass with no ice.
I really enjoyed this liqueur inside of a cocktail. The chile flavor was more subtle against mixers, but still flavorful and smooth, with a touch of warm piloncillo. The spiciness lit up my mouth in a gentle way. Overall, I found that the flavors worked well together, and created a great tasting experience.
Bottom Line
RATING: 5/5
Overall, I was more impressed than I expected to be by Ancho Reyes Original Liqueur. I sometimes find spicy flavors in general to be a little too much when paired with the heat of alcohol. However, I thought that Ancho Reyes was nicely balanced between the spicy and sweet flavors. The spice was not overpowering at all.
In addition, I actually found this liqueur to be quite sippable, which I was not expecting. If you purchase a bottle, I recommend trying it straight at least once, just to experience it. At the end of the day, it just tastes really special. I definitely recommend picking up Ancho Reyes Original to try for yourself.
As always, drink responsibly.
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