Notes: Pisco is a form of brandy, in that it is distilled from grapes. Made in Peru and Chile, there is wide disagreement as to who has better quality Pisco. I have heard conflicting reports from both sides-so obviously we need to do more hands on research to settle this question. It is similar to Grappa or Marc in some ways, including the wild variation of quality depending on who makes it. In this case this is a Chilean Pisco.

Once considered a “poor man’s drink” in the areas of South America where they did not grow sugarcane, and a favorite of Hemingway – probably because it was cheap. It had a brief flare of popularity in California during the Gold Rush as passing ships loaded up on it and took it to San Francisco. After that period, it became a curiosity in North America and rarely found. It is now enjoying a renaissance in cocktail circles as a versatile and interesting spirit.

Appearance: Perfect clarity, bright. Light coating on the glass when you swirl it, long legs then droplets forming.

First Impression: Citrus, lemon balm, grapefruit, savory notes on nosing. Nice oily entry with slight bite when drinking straight (as opposed to throat clutching, coughing etc., with the cheaper stuff). Nicely weighted body to it, with a slightly nut buttery mouth feel, nice tingle on the tongue.

Taste: Savory, lime salt, brine, oily, nut butter, some oak, pepper, lingering notes of tobacco (?). Medium-length finish.

Drinks: Of course we had to try it in the more or less signature Pisco Sour and the classic Pisco Punch both of which were excellent. Side note: you could also use their drinks recipes for a grappa of the same grape variety

Cigars: Works well with a mild cigar.

Final Thoughts: An excellent pisco that reminds us of a good Muscat grappa and at about 1/2 the money. More settled and less aromatic (read doesn’t smell like lighter fluid) than a lot of pisco with nice round bass notes to the aroma The advantage to this spirit being cheap is you can experiment with it and not worry as much about regrettable outcomes.

Bottle:The bottle is cylindrical and clear glass with a long neck. Silk-screened clear label more horizontal than vertical. Rather distinctive graphics with a woman in scary body paint and makeup that looks like flames. Synthetic cork closure with flat black neck wrap finish the package.

Web site: http://www.farfetchedspirits.com (Importer)

Not a lot of information on the importer website about the pisco itself, but some good drinks recipes.