A Detailed Story of Raicilla: How Local Drink Became Global Sensation
As a passionate, well-informed liquor connoisseur, many of you might have heard of Raicilla somewhere. It is a lesser-known agave spirit that is slowly but surely stepping out of the shadows cast by its more famous cousins – western Mezcal and Tequila, resulting in the story of Raicilla becoming a global phenomenon.
Raicilla is an exquisite drink that can transport you to the heart of a remote Mexican village. The air is infused with the scent of tropical flowers and the sound of traditional music. The moment you take a sip, you will feel the essence of its rugged, mountainous origins.
If you don’t believe us, then try it today!
But wait a minute! First, read this interesting blog post. Then, life is all yours, and you decide what you want to do. However, for now, consider reading this.
Okay! So, let’s come back to the main topic.
Popularly known as ‘Moonshine of Mexico,’ Raicilla is one of the hidden gems in the world of agave spirits. While Western Mezcal and Tequila have enjoyed global acclaim and widespread popularity, Raicilla is like that ‘underrated movie’ that falls under the list of classics but is only cherished by those who seek out the extraordinary and the authentic. The thing that sets Raiciilla apart from others is its ability to represent the centuries of tradition, mystery, and flavor profile of the land from where it hails – Mexico.
Speaking of Mexico, some lyrics of Jorge Negrete’s famous song ‘México Lindo y Querido’ are coming to our mind, which goes like….
“Voz de la guitarra mía
Al despertar la mañana
Quiere contar su alegría
A mi tierra Mexicana”
Here’s an English Translation, in case you didn’t understand
“The voice of my guitar
At morning’s awakening
Wants to sing its joy
To my Mexican land.”
Honestly, even Royal Batch experts were jamming to this song while drinking Raicilla because every sip is so reminiscent of meticulous Mexican distillation.
‘Raicilla isn’t just an ordinary spirit – it’s a living testament to the rich cultural heritage and artisanal traditions of Mexico.’
There isn’t any reliable source on the internet that tells the accurate story and history of Raicilla. Considering the absence of this topic and the demand for this spirit among connoisseurs, Royal Batch has come up with a detailed blog post on Raicilla. In this blog post, we narrate an exciting and engaging story of Raicilla.
So, without further ado, let’s jump straight into this blog post.
The Story of Raicilla
Early Beginnings (An Opening Shots of This Movie-Like Story)
Like every other illicit regional Mexican spirit, the history of Raicilla is also chaotic and fuzzy. The history of Raicilla can be traced back to over 400 years. As per renowned Raicilla historian, this top-tier Mexican agave spirit dates back to the 17th century in San Sebastian del Oeste (a mining town on mountains in Jalisco).
It was in the 16th century, during the time of Spanish colonization when the origins of Raicilla were recorded for the first time. Gradually, Spanish settlers started introducing distillation techniques to Mexico. Eventually, indigenous people quickly adapted to distilling agave. During this time, Mezcal and Tequila started becoming more widely recognized while Raicilla lagged behind. The main reason behind this was the production of Raicilla in small, remote mountainous communities in Jalisco and Nayarit.
A Clandestine Past (Here Comes the Turning Point in the Story)
Everything was going great, but Raicilla’s production was deeply intertwined with rebellion and resistance. In the 1800s, the Spanish colonizers imposed strict taxes and regulations on the production and sale of alcohol. To preserve the craftsmanship, local producers began distilling Raicilla in secret, often at night, leading to the popularity of its nickname, ‘Mexican Moonshine.’ To sell the Raicilla and earn profits, distillers sold this agave spirit on streets in old Coke bottles and plastic jugs.
This secret or clandestine production continued well into the 20th century. Until now, Raicilla distillers were operating under the radar to preserve their local and beloved craftmanship.
The Craftmanship of Raicilla (The Detailing in a Story)
According to historical records, several varieties of wild agave (locally known as ‘Lechuguilla’ and ‘Maguey’ in the mountainous regions of Jalisco) were being (& still is) used to make Raicilla.
The production process begins with the harvesting of mature agave plants. These agave plants are then roasted in wood-fired pits to extract their natural sugars. As a result, this roasting process offers a distinct smoky flavor to Raicilla (similar to Mezcal).
After roasting, there comes crushing. The juice is extracted and then fermented in the open-air vats.
The same fermented liquid is then distilled using traditional copper stills, often in small, artisanal batches.
(A Narrator’s Voice: This whole labor-intensive process is being carried out by hand, preserving the traditional and cultural techniques passed down through generations.)
Recognition and Revival (The Comeback of Raicilla in the Climax of this Story)
For several decades, Raicilla has remained a local drink (typically, a Mezcal of Brazil). But this exquisite ‘Mezcal of Brazil’ has become a global sensation. In the early 2010s, Raicilla gained the renowned interest of the general public and liquor experts worldwide. The huge credit behind the global popularity of Raicilla can be given to La Venenosa.
La Venenosa Raicilla was the first Raicilla brand to become legally available for the US market in 2015. Created by Chef Esteban Morales, La Venenosa is now an iconic brand. Each of its expressions (created by Maestro Morales) is unique in its own way.
This effort of La Venenosa was very successful, helping traditional methods of Raicilla production to gain worldwide recognition.
Royal Batch Invites You to Taste the Traditional Mexican Raicilla Craftmanship
Reading the story of Raicilla up to here, many of you might be excited to taste this extraordinary agave spirit. So, why wait now? Contact Royal Batch to buy the 100% authentic La Venenosa Raicilla. With years of experience, Royal Batch is a premier online liquor store. We provide seamless deliveries across the US (including Alaska and Hawaii). Now, don’t think much! Place an order for La Venenosa Raicilla at Royal Batch!
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