La Venenosa Raicilla Tabernas is made from 100% agave and is released in limited batches from different producers. Check your bottle for details.
About this raicilla
“Tabernas” are small scale raicilla distilleries who use artisan methods and their distillers are known as “taberneros.” La Venenosa Raicilla Tabernas is a special line at a price point that can be sipped or used for cocktails. Each Edition of Tabernas is slightly different. Check your bottle for the specific production details.
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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Jam
183 reviews45.1% abv, lot T3-2
Review #161: The nose has lime juice, pickles, funky cheese, fresh grass, jalapeno, soft vanilla, and a bit of acetone.
The palate has lots of lime juice, cream cheese, jalapeno, pickles, a bit of vanilla and wet clay mid palate, and finishes with some grass and black pepper.
It’s pretty heavy on the lime citrus throughout and has some nice soft creaminess to it, i just wish the funkiness carried over a little more to the palate from the nose. It’s on the sweeter side but the vegetal flavors keep it well rounded. This is a solid raicilla and the price makes it worth getting a bottle.
45.1% abv, lot T3-2
Review #161: The nose has lime juice, pickles, funky cheese, fresh grass, jalapeno, soft vanilla, and a bit of acetone.
The palate has lots of lime juice, cream cheese, jalapeno, pickles, a bit of vanilla and wet clay mid palate, and finishes with some grass and black pepper.
It’s pretty heavy on the lime citrus throughout and has some nice soft creaminess to it, i just wish the funkiness carried over a little more to the palate from the nose. It’s on the sweeter
MaryKitty
10 reviewsDrank on Feb 14, 2024
Date: 4-22; batch T3-17; Bottle 30-1400
Smells boozy hot and vanilla. Taste is rather peety, vanilla, very earthy,
Ben P
149 reviewsThis is the 3rd edition. ABV 45.1%
Nose: spiced cheese, clove, cumin, rosemary, little woody, not as lactic as I expected
Palate: chili covered limes, cream cheese, more Raicilla like on the palate, subtle baking spices, green apple. Finish is leathery, tobacco, more citrus, slightly mustardy
Enjoyable. This version definitely seems a bit more agreeable and less smoke dominant than the other reviews. Good Raicilla
Forpowder
122 reviewsLot AT3 Bottle 15/1000T date 11-21 Tabernero Salcedo Rios 46.6% Aromas out of the bottle are sweet sugary rubbing alcohol. Super clean love this. So easy to sip on. Light Vanilla citrus creaminess. Finish just disappear! This could be serious trouble, so good. My second Raicilla ever what a great one!
Suicide Squid
10 reviewsDate: 04-22
Lot: T3-17
Bottle: 30-1400
ABV: 44.4
Starts off bad with a Smokey band aid smell buried in vegetable clay. But once you get past, or get used to it, you begin to enjoy the terroir. Initial sweet agave taste with a nice earthiness riding throughout. Agave sweetness stays in back, with a nice heat on finish that cools nicely leaving the sweet earth tasty. You start to detect those tastes in the smell, making that better with each sip.
MezcalBabe
71 reviewsDate 2022
Lot02
Bottle 161
Terrible. Nope.
Average José
54 reviews* Edition III
* Date: 09/22
* Lot: T3-21
* Bottle: 36/1600
* ABV: 44.9%
I’ve had several bottles and batches of Edition III but this early # bottle of this particular batch is definitely my favorite.
The nose is sweet white grape juice, sandalwood, whipped butter and originally it had a medium-blast of nail polish remover that has really mellowed out over the past few months. Today it is very nice and approachable, it has an excellent and inviting overall nose.
The first flavors are slightly spicy and very lactic. Almonds and smoked agave and jalapeño. Creamy and hot and the perfect amount of smoke. The spiciness/jalapeño falls next into several various citrus flavors but it doesn’t linger there for very long.
The finish is a slightly sour with some very lactic dairy/blue cheese and French Oak notes. It’s delicious – perfect for dessert or for after completing a tasting flight of non-Racillas and is much, much more tame than S.D. Tigere.
* Edition III
* Date: 09/22
* Lot: T3-21
* Bottle: 36/1600
* ABV: 44.9%
I’ve had several bottles and batches of Edition III but this early # bottle of this particular batch is definitely my favorite.
The nose is sweet white grape juice, sandalwood, whipped butter and originally it had a medium-blast of nail polish remover that has really mellowed out over the past few months. Today it is very nice and approachable, it has an excellent and inviting overall nose.
The first flavors are slightly
JDB
190 reviewsABV: 45.6% 11/21 Lot: AT3-15 Bottle: 1000T
Purchased a 200 ml bottle at Barkeeper Silverlake, and a 750 would not be a bad investment. Grape skins, grapefruit, and grape must….all things grape! Really lively flavors and presence on the palate, keeps getting richer and more rewarding. Has a little bit of carbonization going on as well.
Ranger_Ryan
47 reviewsTabernas Edición III
Lot T3-4
Date 02-21
Bottle 785/1700
I sipped this off and on for 10 months, didn’t really care for it. There was some acidity or lime zest up front, smoke, some funkiness ala yogurt or cheese. Generally just not a fan. However, the last quarter of the bottle I was really enjoying, especially paired with some mandarin slices. Perhaps my palet changed, I don’t know, but I would give another Lot a chance.
aarild
153 reviewsLot III (T3-1 on back label)
Quite an improvement! Same aromas, but significantly better. 44,9% ABV and I get quite the “cold milk” of Rakhal. Skimmed milk to be precise. It’s like everything is levelled up, to a better result.
Lot 3/19 — Slate and grass aromas. White peppercorns; slight, fruity yoghurt kick like an Indian lassi; cider apples, with a hint of vanilla. Some herbs and smoke on the finish. Light taste, a bit short — but still good value. Could be a nice gateway raicilla.
Lot III (T3-1 on back label)
Quite an improvement! Same aromas, but significantly better. 44,9% ABV and I get quite the “cold milk” of Rakhal. Skimmed milk to be precise. It’s like everything is levelled up, to a better result.
Lot 3/19 — Slate and grass aromas. White peppercorns; slight, fruity yoghurt kick like an Indian lassi; cider apples, with a hint of vanilla. Some herbs and smoke on the finish. Light taste, a bit short — but still good value. Could be a nice gateway raicilla.
Rakhal
430 reviewsTabernas lll. I had this years ago and I remember not liking it. I don’t know if I’ve changed or this batch is better but I like this! It’s quite sweet but not cloying. Powdered sugar, kafir lime leaf, vanilla cupcake, and cold milk.
Zack Klamn
542 reviewsNose: Key lime pie. A hint of sweet, cocktail onion.
Palate: Interesting sweet aspect, very concentrated sugary vanilla for a few seconds then it falls right off. Front heavy flavor on the palate but the finish is quite light. A decent sipper and it could make a very cool cocktail.
Nickwrobison
12 reviewsLot A5, 06/20
44.7% abv
Tastes a little hotter than the ~45% abv would suggest. Flavor notes: soft agave sweetness, some light minerality/limestone, faint burnt tires.
Having a hard time picking out distinct flavor notes in this one, but overall it’s a pleasant sipper. Certainly the most mellow of the La Venenosa lineup.
HighWine
78 reviewsSample of the new Tabernas III. Chico Aguiar y Maxemiliana in a 50ml plastic sample bottle served in glass.
Faint nose with dairy flavors of butter and cotija cheese. Taste is cottage cheese, agave nectar, and Canadian bacon. Palate is light but not lacking. Clean finish. Not flashy but nice.
Azi
40 reviewsDate 06-17, Lot 01.
Nose is funky: fennel, a bag of charcoal, cut grass, some underripe apples.
Taste: smooth and easy to work with, more underripe apples and just barely a hint of vanilla.
Overall, quite nice. not challenging at all, but also not interesting. Would be easy to incorporate into a drink; but also to introduce someone who wants a cleaner, less nuanced drink.
Accidentally reached for this rain after a pair from another producer. Will add this one to the mixing shelf, just not for me
Date 06-17, Lot 01.
Nose is funky: fennel, a bag of charcoal, cut grass, some underripe apples.
Taste: smooth and easy to work with, more underripe apples and just barely a hint of vanilla.
Overall, quite nice. not challenging at all, but also not interesting. Would be easy to incorporate into a drink; but also to introduce someone who wants a cleaner, less nuanced drink.
Accidentally reached for this rain after a pair from another producer. Will add this one to the mixing shelf, just not for m
TzotollineRaramuri
75 reviewsII Edicion; LotA5 Bottle#1300T @200ml.
?- clear
?- warming & drying impact.
Aromas of grass, lime, grapefruit, hay, starfruit, guava, lemon, lime, mamey, green pepper, ginger, savory herbs plus acetone/wood varnish.
Adequate, complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating and slightly astringent & warming effect;, sufficient smooth alcohol; light-medium body.
Primarily sour taste, light bitterness and sweetness; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lemon, lime, ripe starfruit, guava, grass, hay, savory herbs, light ginger spice.
Medium concentration flavor intensity, slightly complex, correct balance.
Straightforward pleasant and very long finish.
Very good impression.
Well balanced but the chemical smells bring it down on the nose.
Learn more about organoleptic evaluation at the International Wine & Spirits Guild’s seminar in Fine Spirits,
or more on Agave Spirits certifications through the Agave Spirits Institute.
II Edicion; LotA5 Bottle#1300T @200ml.
?- clear
?- warming & drying impact.
Aromas of grass, lime, grapefruit, hay, starfruit, guava, lemon, lime, mamey, green pepper, ginger, savory herbs plus acetone/wood varnish.
Adequate, complex production.
Average length and ordinary character.
?- coating and slightly astringent & warming effect;, sufficient smooth alcohol; light-medium body.
Primarily sour taste, light bitterness and sweetness; buttery smoothness.
Flavors of lemon, lime, ripe star
AGAVERA
2 reviewsTambernas is a great chance to have a take on terrior. As its produced with a local subspecies of espadin (chico Aguiar/ Angustifolia Haw) it offers a very balance profile that invites us to have a better understand of the exciting cosmos of Racillas.
Tasting notes:
a sightly buttery feeling with an elegant acetic that cheers up the palate. Good balance of smoke and cooked agave.
Great for rookies and seasoned mezcaleros ( terrior challenge embedded).
CampStars
11 reviewsThis is a great gateway Raicilla! It’s funky on the nose and clean on the palate. It’s fun to drink and share. Raicilla is about to have its moment and I’m so excited about it. It’s time!
ptagalaChicoMaloPHX
1 reviewSweet apple and citrus notes on the nose. Its a bit thinner and less robust than the other expressions with a dry roasted agave notes dominated by a pleasant funkiness to the drink.
Jonny
734 reviewsEdition 1: Aromas of sour apples and slight vinegar. It tastes like a muddled version of the black label La Venenosa, which is also made with Maximiliana. I’m told this is supposed to be their cocktail Raicilla. I’ve yet to have a cocktail with it, but it’s light and a bit funky with some good savory aspects. I could picture this going well in a bloody mary or possibly and daiquiri.
Edition 3: Much more of a sipper than the previous edition I’d tasted. For the price, this really knocks it out of the park. Notes of confectionary sugar, powdered donuts, and rhubarb. This is super sweet and delicious. Really enjoying it as a sipper.
Edition 1: Aromas of sour apples and slight vinegar. It tastes like a muddled version of the black label La Venenosa, which is also made with Maximiliana. I’m told this is supposed to be their cocktail Raicilla. I’ve yet to have a cocktail with it, but it’s light and a bit funky with some good savory aspects. I could picture this going well in a bloody mary or possibly and daiquiri.
Edition 3: Much more of a sipper than the previous edition I’d tasted. For the price, this