Las Perlas de Jalisco Raicilla de Costa is distilled by Maestro Raicillero Santiago Díaz Ramos using single-origin maguey Verde (agave Angustifolia) and maguey Amarillo (agave Rhodacantha).
About this raicilla
Las Perlas de Jalisco Raicilla de Costa Rhodacantha – Angustifolia is distilled by Maestro Raicillero Santiago Díaz Ramos near Las Guásimas which is about 30 minutes north of El Tuito, the largest town in the Cabo Corrientes municipality of Jalisco, Mexico. This raicilla is made from single-origin maguey Verde (agave Angustifolia) and maguey Amarillo (agave Rhodacantha) grown for over 12 years on hilly, coastal terrain.
The agaves are cooked in a stone-lined underground pit that is sealed with clay. The following day, water is added to create steam. The total cook time is approximately 72 hours. The cooled agaves are chopped using sledge hammers and machetes in a wooden trough and are then run through a mechanical chipper. The fibers and resulting juices are fermented in a large masonry tanks along with spring water. Fermentation occurs over 20 or more days from wild airborne yeasts. It is first distilled in a 400 liter stainless steel pot still and the second distillation is in a smaller Higuera wood “Filipino” still with a copper top. The resulting raicilla is both floral and vegetal with notes of green pepper and melon. There are hints of salinity, minerality, and smoke.
Las Perlas de Jalisco
Las Perlas de Jalisco is distilled at Hacienda El Divisadero by 5th generation raicilleros, the Diaz Rubio and Diaz Ramos families. The taberna is located near the village of Las Guásimas, about 30 minutes north of El Tuito, the largest town in the Cabo Corrientes municipality.
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JDB
86 reviews48% abv, Lot 4, ABR 15
Been trying more raicillas of late and thoroughly enjoying them. I picked up this bottle at one of my more reliable liquor stores for agave spirits, Ramirez Liquor. This raicilla is pretty darn tasty. I know that the funk in raicillas can turn some folks off, but it does draw me in (cue the James Brown riff). This one does have some cheese on the nose and a fresh hit of lemon and lime peel. The flavor hits with that lemon flavor, lemon curd, solid pepper heat, salted caramel, and a bit of pine. A bit of astringency and salinity on the backend. Flavor for days, more like 4.25/5 stars for me. Looking at the other reviews, there is some variation in the batches. I don’t get the sour apple, but on Tequila Aficionado in their YouTube review, they mention a pineapple flavor, which I do get. More recent reviews mention the cream cheese and Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit, which is closer to the flavor profile of my batch.
48% abv, Lot 4, ABR 15
Been trying more raicillas of late and thoroughly enjoying them. I picked up this bottle at one of my more reliable liquor stores for agave spirits, Ramirez Liquor. This raicilla is pretty darn tasty. I know that the funk in raicillas can turn some folks off, but it does draw me in (cue the James Brown riff). This one does have some cheese on the nose and a fresh hit of lemon and lime peel. The flavor hits with that lemon flavor, lemon curd, solid pepper heat, salted
SoloAgave
86 reviewsA favorite of a few bartenders in Guadalajara and one of my favorite Raicillas I’ve had so far (I’ve only had a handful). I get a nice hit of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum, sweet cream cheese funk, and a wild flavor that I wish more tequila had. Didn’t get batch info (bottle says espadin/mexicano agaves). Great ensamble if so – perfect gateway into Raicilla.
HighWine
65 reviewsLot 7, April 2017, 498 liters
I love this raicilla. This is my fourth pour from the bottle over the last month and am finally getting around to reviewing it.
Nose: Provolone cheese, green olive brine, and a hint of underripe berry.
Palate: Full-bodied, creamy and smooth.
Taste: Boozy in the mouth but the creaminess of the body makes the heat fade pretty quickly and give way to the bouquet of flavors dominated by beeswax, tart cherry, and green hay.
I could make the argument for 5 stars pretty easily.
Lot 7, April 2017, 498 liters
I love this raicilla. This is my fourth pour from the bottle over the last month and am finally getting around to reviewing it.
Nose: Provolone cheese, green olive brine, and a hint of underripe berry.
Palate: Full-bodied, creamy and smooth.
Taste: Boozy in the mouth but the creaminess of the body makes the heat fade pretty quickly and give way to the bouquet of flavors dominated by beeswax, tart cherry, and green hay.
I could make the argument for 5 stars p
SergioGuzGuz
1 reviewLot3 Feb/2015 litros 760
Picked up my bottle while on vacation in Sayulita. Nose is of dried fruits and campfire and tastes is a clean agave flavor and the woods on a hot dry day. Magnificent! Just wished for more pronounced agave flavor.
Tyler
595 reviewsNot the funky raicilla notes that I normally anticipate. This raicilla is very clean and balanced with delicate flavors. There is definitely some sour apple as other reviewers have noted. It is light mid-palate and has a lot of flavor on the backend. There is a bit of olive, dry white wine, fruit, and oak smoke. If you enjoy mezcal, this will be an easy transition into raicilla.
July 2020 update! Trying this again (different bottle) and get a lot of the same notes. This is a delicious Raicilla. Lot 7, April 2017, 498 liters.
Not the funky raicilla notes that I normally anticipate. This raicilla is very clean and balanced with delicate flavors. There is definitely some sour apple as other reviewers have noted. It is light mid-palate and has a lot of flavor on the backend. There is a bit of olive, dry white wine, fruit, and oak smoke. If you enjoy mezcal, this will be an easy transition into raicilla.
July 2020 update! Trying this again (different bottle) and get a lot of the same notes. This is a delicious Raicilla.
kozinnski
14 reviewsnose: bubble gum, cotton candy, baked agave, citrus, red berries, granny smith apple, pickle brine
palate: full, rich mouthfeel. again with the bubblegum, burnt stone, eucalyptus, popcorn. not incredibly complex, but definitely delicious.
medium finish with nice prickly heat. overall i love the nose and mouthfeel, and this almost borders on *too* easy to drink, in a good way.
TheAgaveFairy
168 reviewsTried this in Tequila, MX. Don’t remember too many notes other than it wasn’t super cheesy funy, had an apple sweetness with touches of tobacco or some dry herbal note. It was approachable and the proof was very much in control, with complexity. Waiting for it to be in Texas so I can buy a bottle. Was very impressed.
Jonny
615 reviewsAromas of sweet agave, sour apples, strawberries, crayons, and ground nuts. Smells more like mezcal than a typical raicilla. The palate is light but leathery, smoky, and bit charred. There’s a charcoal flavor throughout this, like fresh non-burning charcoal.