Agave spirit Raicilla coming to UK

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

R&J Estancia Distillery has teamed up with Proof Drinks to bring Estancia Raicilla into the European and Australian markets.
R&J Estancia Distillery has teamed up with Proof Drinks to bring Estancia Raicilla into the European and Australian markets.

Related tags Tequila Mexico

UK wholesaler and retailer Amathus Drinks has teamed up with distributor Proof Drinks for the launch of Mexican company Estancia Distillery’s agave spirit Raicilla. 

Known by some as the Mexican native gin, Raicilla is one of Mexico’s oldest artisan spirits.  Raicilla (which means little root) is obtained from the distillation of musts derived from grinding mature hearts of Agavemaximiliana,​ which are given 10 to 15 years to ripen in the high altitude regions of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. 

The agave is roasted in wood fire adobe ovens before being naturally fermented in open oak barrels and distilled.

An increased global consumption of agave spirits has been seen as a result of high quality Tequilas and Mezcals becoming available, thus paving the way and creating a consumer desire for a new category of agave spirits, which Proof Drinks says Estancia Raicilla is set to capitalize on.

“Amathus has been at the forefront of many new trends in the UK market; Artisanal Cachaça from Brazil, Pisco from Peru, and Mezcal to name a few.  Estancia Raicilla is a welcome addition to our portfolio and a great introduction to the world that is Raicilla,”​ Jon Anders Borchgrevink Fjeldsrud, Agave ambassador from Amathus Drinks said.

Partnership to distribute Raicilla

Raicilla producers R&J Estancia Distillery selected Proof Drinks to exclusively import Estancia Raicilla into Europe and Australia, launching it into the UK in partnership with Agave specialists Amathus Drinks who will handle all UK distribution through their wholesale and retail departments nationwide.

A spokesperson for Proof Drinks told BeverageDaily that there has previously been one other Raicilla that was sold in the UK, however it was only sold through a handful of specialty stores.