La Venenosa Raicilla Costa is distilled two times in a Philippino still made out of copper and a hollowed out tree trunk.
About this raicilla
La Venenosa Raicilla Costa is produced by Maestro Tabernero Don Alberto Hernández in the village of Llano Grande of the coastal region Cabo Corrientes, 700 metres above sea level. The agave in this Raicilla varies widely from batch to batch. Certain batches are 100% Agave Rhodacantha (Mexicano) and others are an ensamble of Amarillo and Chicho Aguilar. It is roasted in a wood fired adobe oven. It is distilled two times in a Philippino still made out of copper and a hollowed out tree trunk. The flavor is complex, bouncing around between fruit, spice and herbs, eventually settling on sweet spice.
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.
Learn more:
- Don Luis and La Venenosa Sierra del Tigre on the Mezcal Reviews blog
Review this bottle
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Imperium
118 reviewsChalky and cheesy. Like drinking Swiss cheese. Not bad, but not really my style either.
muchachomezcal
47 reviewsLot 45, 4/23. This is my first Raicilla I took back from Mexico so it special to me. Bottle #240 of 450. Aroma is nanolactone, mild-cheese like. Palate is cheese, cacao or milk chocolate bouncing around the tongue, with a small pepper finish. I like this one, I love the bottle and truly think it’s a great introduction to Raicilla.
Jam
184 reviewsLot 39, 06/22 production date, bottle 131-480, 47.1% abv
Review #5: lots of wood and smoke on the nose and palate. Dry soil with a lot of herbs around it. I wasn’t a big fan of this one, might check it out another time. It was very drying on the palate and i didnt find a lot of complexity.
James Christian
46 reviewsI LOVE this one. Lot 39, 06-22
Nose – more like a big ole funky Arroqueño, with really sweet notes of honey and cheese and vinegar.
Taste – Smoked banana leaves and HEAVY on the sweet Texas barbeque sauce.
IMO this is the most savory and smokey offering from Venenosa and it’s positively delicious, especially for the price point (extra half a star for that)
Rakhal
430 reviewsLote: 32. 01/21.
I don’t think that I would have liked this as much a couple of years ago but I’ve developed a love of Raicilla and this is a tasty one! Cheesy and sour at first but as it hits my mouth it evolves into something sweet and spicy and unique. Blue cheese, caramel, guanabana (soursop), barbecue sauce, burnt marshmallow, cacao, cinnamon, clove. I really dig this one!
Americana Kyle
60 reviewsLot 320 /02-21/47.4%
Earthy, fresh funk that is pleasant and inviting. I enjoy this one quite more often than the rest of the Venenosa expressions and find this to be a great offering as an introduction to Raicilla
aarild
153 reviewsWet clay, hay, grilled raclette cheese tingling the nostrils.
Medium viscosity, a bit subdued, but nice and very pleasant. Green Madagascar pepper corns in brine, leathery plum rakia and herbal freshness. Medium aftertaste with hints of blue cheese and pears. Great bottle.
Review updated a bit, after four different batches. Steer clear of the 100% rhodecantha, it has a rubbery hint of burnt toast to it. But the Amarillo/Chico ones are consistently good, excellent, in fact. A bit varying hints of cider vinegar between batches, but always fruity, herbal, lightly cheesy. Just note that if you are new to raicilla you might think “toe jam” instead of “blue cheese”…
Wet clay, hay, grilled raclette cheese tingling the nostrils.
Medium viscosity, a bit subdued, but nice and very pleasant. Green Madagascar pepper corns in brine, leathery plum rakia and herbal freshness. Medium aftertaste with hints of blue cheese and pears. Great bottle.
Review updated a bit, after four different batches. Steer clear of the 100% rhodecantha, it has a rubbery hint of burnt toast to it. But the Amarillo/Chico ones are consistently good, excellent, in fact. A bit varying hints of
Nickwrobison
12 reviewsLot 25. 06/18
44.4% abv
Aroma after running some on my hand is very lactic, funky feet. Smelling it directly from the glass is much sweeter and fruity.
Flavor notes: sweet, limestone, stone fruit (cherry/plum).
Not my favorite of the La Venenosa lineup, but it’s quite tasty.
spasta
22 reviewsFunky and awesome. Blue cheese!! I feel this bottle is well worth the price.
Jongers
14 reviewsThe first time I tried this raicilla I must say it was really different and I wasn’t sure what to think about it. That blue cheese flavor is fairly pronounced, with smokey and minty undertones. However, I’m now at the end of the bottle and I must say I’m craving another one. This is the kind of raicilla that you really have to get to know, but then you do and grow to love it.
GreenspointTexas
385 reviewsEcho the other reviews on here. Def. more of a blue cheese/burnt rubber taste. When offered to friends, most dont care for it. Have to say that I am sad I purchased the bottle, however, it would be fun to try once. A miss for me
Tyler
668 reviewsThe batch I tried was 100% agave Rhodecantha and shared many flavors you might find in agave Mexico/Dobadaan mezcals like banana, fig, and fruit leather. But it also shares the familiar raicilla notes of diluted vinegar and sour apple. There is a soft mint flavor here that leans towards toothpaste. I’m still getting into raicillas and this one is just okay for my taste. At 45.5% ABV it tastes a bit watery. Definitely a unique spirit and one that might be interesting in a tasting with other spirits made from the same agave. Lot 7 from November 2014.
The batch I tried was 100% agave Rhodecantha and shared many flavors you might find in agave Mexico/Dobadaan mezcals like banana, fig, and fruit leather. But it also shares the familiar raicilla notes of diluted vinegar and sour apple. There is a soft mint flavor here that leans towards toothpaste. I’m still getting into raicillas and this one is just okay for my taste. At 45.5% ABV it tastes a bit watery. Definitely a unique spirit and one that might be interesting in a tasting with other
Jonny
734 reviewsLot 007 from November 2014. Bottle 36/400. This has a dry, sour, funky aroma. Notes of unroasted coffee beans and wet jungle. It’s good but be prepared for this to end your palate for the night. It’s difficult to drink anything after this one.