Puntagave "Rustico" Raicilla Blanco

Puntagave "Rustico" Raicilla Blanco is made from wild Agave Rhodacantha in the coastal mountains of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, at 700 meters elevation, and distilled in a rare Filipino-style still — a hybrid apparatus constructed from copper and a hollowed-out tree trunk. Raicilla is one of Mexico's oldest agave spirits, produced for over four centuries in Jalisco's coastal and sierra regions, and for a time driven underground to avoid Spanish colonial taxation. This bottling is crafted by maestro producer Victoriano Joya, who follows traditional artisanal methods: the piñas are roasted in an earthen pit, then double distilled in that distinctive still, which imparts additional texture and aromatic complexity to the final spirit. Puntagave operates in a coastal microclimate where wild Agave Rhodacantha thrives in rugged, mineral-rich terrain. The Filipino-style still — sometimes called a "tronco" still — is a relic technique that uses the porous wood trunk as part of the cooling chamber, adding vegetal and earthy notes that copper alone cannot. Victoriano Joya's production is small-batch and entirely by hand, from harvest through fermentation in open-air wooden vats to the slow, controlled distillation that preserves the raw character of the agave. The coastal terroir and wild-harvested agave give this raicilla a savory, herbaceous profile distinct from the sweeter, fruitier expressions typical of highland mezcal. Bottled at 88 proof, the nose opens with parmesan, green earth, and fresh herbs — an aromatic signature of Agave Rhodacantha and the tree-trunk still. The palate reveals layers of tropical fruit, buttercream, and citrus, with a smooth, lingering finish. Puntagave calls this one of their in-house favorites for its strong acidity, high proof, and remarkable aromatic complexity. Sip it neat to appreciate the interplay of savory and fruit notes, or use it as a dynamic, high-proof base in cocktails that benefit from funk and backbone — mezcal Negronis, agave Manhattans, or a simple raicilla-and-tonic with lime. Available for pickup at 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.