Mezcal Ilegal Joven is produced by Ilegal Mezcal – a Oaxaca, Mexico based brand. It first began in 2004 as a smuggling operation that brought bottles of mezcal from Mexico to a bar in Guatemala. In 2006, it converted to a legal business, and currently partners with 4th generation mezcaleros in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca. Their mezcals are made with the Espadín variety of agave, which is hand harvested and then roasted for 5-7 days using Encino Oak from certified sustainable wood farmers. It is then cut, and crushed with a traditional tahona, before being fermented with natural airborne yeast for 7-10 days. It is distilled first with its […]
BarSol Quebranta Pisco is produced by BarSol – an Ica, Peru based brand that produces small batch Pisco in a variety of expressions. The grapes used in their piscos are hand selected, de-stemmed, and macerated. They are then fermented, using only the natural yeast from the grape skins, for about 10-20 days. It is distilled one time in copper pot stills, before the heart is removed and rested for at least 12 months. Each pisco is hand bottled, without any dilution to reach its proof. It is advertised as not containing additives. This particular bottle of Quebranta Pisco uses Quebranta grapes, which are less aromatic than the other grape […]
John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum is produced by R.L. Seale & Co. Ltd. – a family-owned, Barbados-based spirits producer who acquired the John D. Taylor brand in 1993. John D. Taylor began creating their famous Falernum in the late 1800’s, and it is often regarded as the “original” version of the spirit. It is now produced at Foursquare Distillery in Saint Phillip, Barbados. This bottle of Velvet Falernum is made using a rum base, lime, cane sugar, and spices. It is bottled at 22 proof. Bottle Specs ❖ ABV: 11% ❖ Distillery: Foursquare Distillery ❖ Aging: N/A ❖ Price Point: low price My Tasting notes The aroma of this liqueur was very sweet […]
Sotol Onó is produced by Laika Spirits – a Mexican spirits company that produces a selection of various agave and sotol products under different brand names. The production for Sotol Onó is based in Aldama, Chihuahua, and the branding and design are meant to honor the indigenous people of the area, in particular the Tarahumara. This bottle of Sotol is made using the Dasiliryon Cedrosanum variety of the sotol plant, which is roasted in a shallow pit oven. It is macerated in two different stages, starting with an axe, and then a knife. It is then fermented in concrete tanks for about 5-6 days, then distilled twice in copper stills. It is unaged […]
Il Tramonto Limoncello Liqueur is produced by Il Tramonto – an Italy based spirits brand that produces a small lineup of liqueur products using old family recipes. As a brand, they aim to create products that evoke a bright cheerfulness, as represented by their brand name meaning “sunset” in Italian. This particular bottle of Limoncello is made using Sicilian lemons, the rinds of which are steeped in a neutral grain spirit, before being distilled and sweetened. Bottle Specs ❖ ABV: 30% ❖ Distillery: undisclosed (Italy) ❖ Aging: N/A ❖ Price Point: low price My Tasting notes The nose notes of this liqueur were fairly neutral. There wasn’t […]