🍽️ What is it?
Artisanal agave distillate produced in the western Sierra of Jalisco and along the coast. Made primarily from lechuguilla, maximiliana, or inaequidens agaves — cooked in stone pit ovens and distilled in traditional stills.
✨ Why it's amazing
It's mezcal's mountain cousin — softer smoky notes, herbal, with unique fruit character from the wild agaves. "The distillate Jaliscans kept for themselves."
📍 Where to try it
- Oscar's Tequila Distillery (Romantic Zone) — C. Encino 130. Free tastings with explanations of raicilla and tequila. Excellent intro experience.
- La Raicilla (Basilio Badillo) — specialty bar with a deep menu of artisanal producers.
- El Brujo & Juan Tiburón — selection of raicillas to pair with seafood.
- Cuale River Municipal Market — bottles direct from producer at better prices.