About Agave Spirit

About Agave Spirit
Agave spirit refers to a spirit made from one of the numerous varieties of agave plants outside the Mexican denominations of Tequila, Mezcal, Sotol, Bacanora and Raicilla. While most of the products are produced in Mexico from locally grown agave there are also examples made from agave grown in the southwestern United States and even the nation of Venezuela. Specific categories include Sikua from the Mexican state of Michoacan and Cocuy from Venezuela.

These sprits are usually clear, unless aged in oak, which gives them a golden color. Flavor profiles range from sweet potatoes and roasted pepper to herbs and smoky minerals; often there is a peppery finish. They are meant to be sipped as an aperitif, in cocktails, or served with spicy Mexican and Latin cuisine.

Top Picks for Agave Spirit

Shelter Distilling Rancho Del Sol California Agave Spirit
95 points
$154
Full of spicy and woodsy flavors with a bit of floral honey sweetness and the back bone to stand up in cocktails.
Shelter Distilling Limited Release Lowlands Agave Spirit
94 points
$89
A sweet and savory flavor delight; a refreshing sipper to be enjoyed on a brisk day with light conversation.
Santo Mezquila
94 points
$59.99
Delicious and fun, this is a great bridge between Tequila but before getting into full blown esoteric Mezcal.
94 points $59.99
Shelter Distilling Ranchito Bendito Agave Americana
93 points
$80
Somewhere between Tequila and Mezcal with an interesting grilled cherry quality; over delivers for an agave outside of Mexico.
Joshua Tree Distilling Single Estate Maguey Tobalá Blanco Agave Spirit
92 points
$79
Rich and funky on the nose with a smooth and rounded texture, some rich fruit flavors, and an earthy complex finish.
Storm King Distilling Co. Agave Especial
89 points
$65
Whiskey lovers who don't drink agave products would love this; elegant and elevated.
Ventura Spirits Blanco Yolo Agave Spirit Batch No. 1
89 points
$60
Fruity and minty, quite fascinating and strangely delicious albeit atypical.
Storm King Distilling Co. Agave Blanco Batch #6
88 points
$45
The sweetness on the front end is pleasantly balanced by the vegetal notes here.
Western Reserve Distillers Organic Blanco Agave Spirit
88 points
$32
Herbal, grassy and full of life, this brings an earthy honesty to the table.
Ventura Spirits Barrel Rested Yolo Agave Spirit Batch No. 2
86 points
$65
Complex and interesting; keeps coming back with new and unique flavors but always inviting.