La Venenosa Puntas is 63% ABV (126 proof!), but it is elegant, subtle, and incredibly complex. It is a prized and rare spirit.
About this raicilla
La Venenosa Puntas is a prized and rare spirit. The puntas in this case refers to the upper portions of the agave hearts and the portion of the distillate separated right above them. This Raicilla is 63% ABV (126 proof!), but it is elegant, subtle, and incredibly complex. It’s produced by Gerardo Pena (the cousin of Don Ruben Pena) with agave Maximiliana in Jacales, Jalisco. This Raicilla is fermented in a 200 litre oak vat and double distilled in a stainless steel still.
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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JDB
114 reviews61.4% abv, Date: 3-22 Lot: A26 Bottle 240T
Picked up this 200 ml bottle at Louie’s Liquor in Azusa. I first tasted this puntas in Chicago this past October at Frontera Grill. Really impressed with that pour. This offering has a thick, strong mouthfeel. Hot for me, unlike other reviewers, but not burning. Has lots of flavors: sweet caramel and toffee, grape jelly, and peppermint. On the backend, there is a touch of the funky raicilla flavor, a bit of cream cheese. Definitely a must try if you come across a bottle at a bar. I am usually going to opt for any puntas regardless, but do seek this one out; you won’t be disappointed.
61.4% abv, Date: 3-22 Lot: A26 Bottle 240T
Picked up this 200 ml bottle at Louie’s Liquor in Azusa. I first tasted this puntas in Chicago this past October at Frontera Grill. Really impressed with that pour. This offering has a thick, strong mouthfeel. Hot for me, unlike other reviewers, but not burning. Has lots of flavors: sweet caramel and toffee, grape jelly, and peppermint. On the backend, there is a touch of the funky raicilla flavor, a bit of cream cheese. Definitely a m
Sips
32 reviewsDate: 02-22
Lot: 25
Bottle: 109/150
A fantastic Raicilla that is right up my alley! Strong flavor, strong heat, tons of sweetness and just plain fantastic. ABV is high (63%!) but you would not know it. Long finish, super palatable. The perfect amount of agave and funk and somehow still delivers that (my) desired smooth creaminess.
Lots of fruit, barely any smoke and honestly the best Raicilla I think I’ve ever had. This is something that I will keep on hand until La Venenosa makes something better to replace it with. A+!
Date: 02-22
Lot: 25
Bottle: 109/150
A fantastic Raicilla that is right up my alley! Strong flavor, strong heat, tons of sweetness and just plain fantastic. ABV is high (63%!) but you would not know it. Long finish, super palatable. The perfect amount of agave and funk and somehow still delivers that (my) desired smooth creaminess.
Lots of fruit, barely any smoke and honestly the best Raicilla I think I’ve ever had. This is something that I will keep on hand until La Venenosa makes something
Rakhal
398 reviewsI’ve always been a big fan of Gerardo Peñas Puntas. It blows my mind how soft and well integrated this is at 63% ABV. Almost no burn and tons of flavor. I get lots of powerful menthol flavors and strong herbal notes that remind me of fresh lemon thyme. It’s probably not for everyone but it’s unique and I love it!
aarild
144 reviewsThis bottle is hard to compare with any other agave spirit because of its unique character. It does not smell of mezcal: it’s a very fruity funk like a Jamaican rum, not the lactic, typical raicilla connotations of milk products or barn. Also lilac and a metallic minerality. Little smoke on the palate if any, tastes of a marriage of rhum agricole, aromatic pisco and a vegetal agave spirit. The aftertaste lingers on forever, sometimes suggesting a barrel aged spirit, but at other times just delicious, fresh fruitiness.. I’ll might try water the next time, but this is lovely as it is.
Lot 5.
This bottle is hard to compare with any other agave spirit because of its unique character. It does not smell of mezcal: it’s a very fruity funk like a Jamaican rum, not the lactic, typical raicilla connotations of milk products or barn. Also lilac and a metallic minerality. Little smoke on the palate if any, tastes of a marriage of rhum agricole, aromatic pisco and a vegetal agave spirit. The aftertaste lingers on forever, sometimes suggesting a barrel aged spirit, but at other times just de
TrogdordeFuegoanator
40 reviewsLot 4, Bottle 69-285 made 5/17.
Bright pollen notes, with a Sardinian olive oil brine. Nearly just a curiosity try due to the proof, perhaps that’s it’s selling point. Otherwise lacking in complexity and balance. One to pour for random friends.
TheAuditor
38 reviewsDate: 4-17
Lot 4
Bottle 25-280
Agave Maximiana
**ABV:** 61.8%
**Nose:** Strong, pungent. Ripe red strawberries, fruity pebbles, clay, peppers, agave funk.
**Palate:** Medium oily mouthfeel. Dry, Strawberries, clay, roasted green peppers, clay, earthiness, slight minerality. Light funk, slight salt.
**Finish:** Long length, dry. Fruity pebbles, roasted peppers, earthiness, minerality, slight funk.
This thing is an all out assault of red berries all throughout, almost sugary cereal-esque in pure pungentness. This plays well with the more savory flavors of the peppers, clay, and the light agave funk that this bottling has. I can see why this is considered a choice cut due to how intense the flavor is.
Date: 4-17
Lot 4
Bottle 25-280
Agave Maximiana
**ABV:** 61.8%
**Nose:** Strong, pungent. Ripe red strawberries, fruity pebbles, clay, peppers, agave funk.
**Palate:** Medium oily mouthfeel. Dry, Strawberries, clay, roasted green peppers, clay, earthiness, slight minerality. Light funk, slight salt.
**Finish:** Long length, dry. Fruity pebbles, roasted peppers, earthiness, minerality, slight funk.
This thing is an all out assault of red berries all throughout, almost sugary cereal-esque in
Nick
25 reviewsThat distinctive raicilla taste – a change from the more smokey mezcals on the shelf. Always search out a La Venenosa when travelling as it’s been hard to get in Australia. Sweetness and fruits, currant, grape and apple with a touch of candy. ABV 61.8% leaves a sharpness on the mouth leaving room for the flavours to make mark. Second sip confirms the flavours and perhaps a bit more robustness. Third? OK, I will. It’s also the first chance to own a bottle of La Venenosa, so a special place on the shelf. Lot 4: Bottle 191-300: Date 4/17.
That distinctive raicilla taste – a change from the more smokey mezcals on the shelf. Always search out a La Venenosa when travelling as it’s been hard to get in Australia. Sweetness and fruits, currant, grape and apple with a touch of candy. ABV 61.8% leaves a sharpness on the mouth leaving room for the flavours to make mark. Second sip confirms the flavours and perhaps a bit more robustness. Third? OK, I will. It’s also the first chance to own a bottle of La Venenosa, so a sp
El_Roberto
23 reviewsLot 03, bottle 33 of 200 (was a bit scribbled) Real funky this one! Dried fruit sweet smell. Sweet aloe vera flavour. Couldn’t see the ABV % on the bottle but probably low 60’s, and suprisingly low alcohol burn with something so strong! A lot less afterburn than most 40% ABV’s!
Nic Hnastchenko
108 reviewsHad a heavy hitting bottle from Real Minero right before this, and asked the bartender what the strongest mezcal they had was. Turns out it was a Raicilla. Super interesting that it was just the puntas. This one came in at 62.4%
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsFruitiest agave spirit ive ever had. Apple and pear on the nose, and kiwi and stone fruit on the palate. Almost no smoke. No burn for 63%. Excellent, a crazy awesome raicilla.
From the Nasa Liquors special bottle from their store-pick batch
Tyler
612 reviewsNose of dried apple much like the other La Venenosa raicilla from Maximiliana agave. I got notes of spearmint, grape, apple, and slight metal. It doesn’t taste too strong going down but the finish leaves your palate tingling from the high ABV. Compared to the other La Venenosa Maximiliana raicilla (black bottle), you can taste the difference a second distillation makes.. the flavor experience is more compact and distinct here. I enjoyed this but expected to be more impressed considering the high cost of about $200/bottle; thankfully I tried this at a bar. Lot 3, 5-16.
Nose of dried apple much like the other La Venenosa raicilla from Maximiliana agave. I got notes of spearmint, grape, apple, and slight metal. It doesn’t taste too strong going down but the finish leaves your palate tingling from the high ABV. Compared to the other La Venenosa Maximiliana raicilla (black bottle), you can taste the difference a second distillation makes.. the flavor experience is more compact and distinct here. I enjoyed this but expected to be more impressed considering t
Keith
35 reviewsLot 1. Clarity and focus, flavor that cuts through anything previously on the palate, then establishes a sweet, lightly citrus aftertaste. Its high ABV is more buzz than burn; a flavor delivery mechanism rather than distraction. As Raicilla goes this is an all-star. The scaling conundrum is selecting a rating compared to smoked-agave spirits.