Raicilla (, 'little root') is a

distilled spirit Liquor ( , sometimes hard liquor), spirits, distilled spirits, or spiritous liquor are alcoholic drinks produced by the distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. While the w ...

originating in the south western part of the Mexican state of

Jalisco Jalisco, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in western Mexico and is bordered by s ...

. Like

tequila Tequila (; ) is a liquor, distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, Jalisco, Tequila northwest of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands (''Los Altos (Jal ...

and

mezcal Mezcal (, ), sometimes spelled mescal, is a liquor, distilled alcoholic beverage made from any type of agave. Agaves or magueys are endemic to the Americas and found globally as ornamental plants. The ''Agave'' genus is a member of the Agavoid ...

, it is a product of the

agave ''Agave'' (; ; ) is a genus of monocots native to the arid regions of the Americas. The genus is primarily known for its succulent and xerophytic species that typically form large Rosette (botany), rosettes of strong, fleshy leaves. Many plan ...

plant. Raicilla is a traditional beverage with about 300 years of history and a protected Denomination of Origin. Its aroma and flavor are derived from the species of agave and characterized by the soil, topography, climate, water, producer (), yeasts, and other factors. Raicilla is colorless when it is matured in glass or yellowish when it is matured in wood.

Process

Raicilla is distilled in rudimentary stills from a fermented mash made from the central stem (''piña'') of the

plant. The mash is slow-cooked, and the steam condensed on a copper cone, cooled, traditionally, by spring water. To make a liter of Raicilla takes 10 kg of agave. Many different species of agaves are used to produce Raicilla, including '' Agave angustifolia'' ( or "yellow"), '' Agave maximiliana'', '' Agave inaequidens'' and '' Agave rhodacantha''. It is usually more than 100

proof Proof most often refers to: * Proof (truth), argument or sufficient evidence for the truth of a proposition * Alcohol proof, a measure of an alcoholic drink's strength Proof may also refer to: Mathematics and formal logic * Formal proof, a co ...

before water is added to control proof. Raicilla can be classified into different types based on its aging process and regional varieties. These include Young or Joven Raicilla, which is clear and the immediate result after distillation; Aged or Matured in Glass; Reposado, aged in wooden containers; Añejo, aged in wood barrels for over twelve months; and Abocado, infused with ingredients like herbs, fruits, and flowers. Additionally, there's double-distilled Raicilla, which is exclusive to artisanal or traditional processes. The types of Raicilla by region are Raicilla de la Costa and Raicilla de la Sierra,Our process
/ref> each with distinct flavor profiles owing to the agave varieties and terroir.

Protected origin

The '' denominación de origen '' applies to 17 municipalities: Atengo, Chiquilistlán,

Juchitlán Juchitlán is a town and municipality, in Jalisco in central-western Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the n ...

, Tecolotlán, Tenamaxtlán,

Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta ( or simply Vallarta) is a Mexican resort city near the Bahía de Banderas on the Pacific coast of the Mexico, Mexican state of Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta is the second largest urban agglomeration in the state after the Guadalajara ...

, Cabo Corrientes, Tomatlán, Atenguillo, Ayutla, Cuautla, Guachinango, Mascota, Mixtlán, San Sebastián del Oeste and Talpa de Allende in Jalisco and Bahía de Banderas in Nayarit.

References

Agave-based drinks Mexican distilled drinks Mexican alcoholic drinks Mexican Designation of Origin {{distilled-drink-stub