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La Venenosa Etnica Tutsi Maguey Masparillo

La Venenosa Tutsi is an agave spirit from the Huichol people in northwest Jalisco. It disappeared for nearly 25 years and is now produced in small batches by a single producer.

Rating: (7 reviews)
Category:Raicilla, Tutsi
Cost:$$$$
Brand:La Venenosa Raicilla
Raicillero:Rafael Carrillo Pizano
Maguey:Masparillo
Style:Joven
State:Jalisco
Town:Tatei Kie
ABV: 43%
Release year: 2017
Website: https://www.instagram.com/raicillalavenenosa/, opens in new window

About this raicilla

Etnica is an extension of La Venenosa line of raicillas that serves as a platform to bring agave spirits from indigenous ethnic groups to the market. This agave spirit is from the Huichol people in northwest Jalisco. While we call this spirit a Raicilla for ease of use on this site, Tutsi is the name that is used to describe it locally. Tutsi was lost for about 25 years and there is currently only one practicing producer. This Tutsi is made from 100% wild maguey Masparillo, roasted in an underground oven, and fired by wood. The cooked agave is then milled by hand with mallets. The natural fermentation occurs in a rock pit, and it is single distilled in a Huichol still. Tutsi is extremely rare, only two or three 45-liter batches are made yearly. Tutsi is a complex spirit with woodsy notes intertwined alongside citrus and mineral.

La Venenosa Raicilla

Raicilla has been produced for over 500 years in the Mexican state of Jalisco, Mexico. Jalisco offers a plethora of agave species, second only to Oaxaca, however the Tequila made in Jalisco can only be made with the blue agave. Raicilla from Jalisco can be made with many different types of agave that are scattered across the landscape. These, along with great diversity in terroir, equipment and techniques, give Raicilla an amazing spectrum of flavor and history.

La Venenosa Raicilla range was created by Chef Esteban Morales to bring these hidden jewels to the global market. Esteban traversed the state in search of the best producers in each region. Every one of these Raicilla expressions is unique; created by different Maestro Taberneros in distinct regions, from different species of agave using diverse techniques, the individual results are astounding. Due to the relatively raw nature of Raicilla production, the ABV of each La Venenosa may vary slightly by batch.

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Member rating

4.36 out of 5

7 reviews

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars2 weeks ago

Lot 26, bottle 55 of 150, 41.5% ABV.

Expectations were high — the price, the rarity, the reviews full of superlatives… I bought it weeks ahead of my birthday and then waited for then to try it which built things up too. And then honestly, a bit of a disappointment. Not that it’s horrible, it’s funky and interestingly different compared to other agave spirits I’ve tried. Lots of forest aromas and tastes — pine, cedar, juniper etc. and that distinctively funky raicilla flavor which I’m still not sure about. Maybe just not my jam, maybe I need more of them… Beyond the forest flavors I didn’t get a lot else beyond some sweetness. After some weeks even the forest notes calmed down. Glad I tried it but not at all sure it’s what I would buy again at this price point.

Lot 26, bottle 55 of 150, 41.5% ABV.
Expectations were high — the price, the rarity, the reviews full of superlatives… I bought it weeks ahead of my birthday and then waited for then to try it which built things up too. And then honestly, a bit of a disappointment. Not that it’s horrible, it’s funky and interestingly different compared to other agave spirits I’ve tried. Lots of forest aromas and tastes — pine, cedar, juniper etc. and that distinctively funky raicilla flavor which I�

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mt_rainyer

mt_rainyer

43 reviews
Rated 3 out of 5 stars11 months ago

Lot 2
Very earthy, leathery with touches of marmalade and smoke. Has almost a bbq flavor to it. The low abv (just like the mai) keeps the flavors in check somewhat. Relatively balanced by comparison. If you like woody, smoky, leathery flavors while still having a bit of other things – this one is for you. Personally was glad to try this one, but buy the Mai (for those deciding between the two this is on the dusty/earthy side and that is on the piney/aloe side).

El_Roberto

El_Roberto

23 reviews
Rated 4 out of 5 stars2 years ago

Aloe smell, tropical fruits, fresh. Smooooth and easy to drink, barely any alcohol burn. Rocket/Arugula and grapefruit on the palate, slight hint of vanilla hidden in there. Excellent

DavCao

DavCao

3 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars2 years ago

Fecha 06/18, Lote 2, bottle 34/60. 43.9%. amazing bottle. I think I could smell it for hours. It smells of sea and Mediterranean coastlines. citrus fruits, vegetation, blend with a wild mineral and mountain note. the taste is sensational. a delicious lemon and cedar cream, velvety like never before in the mouth. final notes refer to pine nuts and chestnuts. long, very long in persistence and crazy in the aftertaste.

aarild

aarild

152 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars3 years ago

Smells like a mango lassi: tropical fruit and yoghurt, then a whiff of dusty leather from a Moroccan souk. I can agree on cedar, or something woody, with a bit of incense on the tongue after a few seconds. Intriguing vague taste of lime sherbet (sugared lime peels and -juice). Then more light, tropical fruits such as carambola and papaya rather than agave/pear. Great experience, make sure you’ve warmed up the palate with something basic before you go for this one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Lot 7 bottle 120 of 120 for this batch. Unique flavors right out of the gate. It’s musty, but has a good lingering sugar at the back of the tongue. Leaves a strong note of cedar and the smell of wilted herbs. It’s earthy and and fruity at the same time. An incredible bottle worth seeking out.

GreenspointTexas

GreenspointTexas

385 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars5 years ago

Up there with the best mezcals/tequilas/agave spirits ive had. The only distillate ive had from the Maguey Masparillo, and wow, what an experience. Slightly sweet without being overbearing, smoke follows, with a dry finish almost making you want more and more after every sip. Citrus abounds, with slight vegetal notes. Complex, earthy, one of the best spirits ive had. Worth the money and time to seek out, too bad there were only 60 bottles from this release.

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