La Venenosa Costa

Also known as “La Venenosa Green Label”. Raicilla (ry-CEE-ya) is a Mexican agave spirit produced in western Jalisco (near Puerto Vallarta). Traditionally, raicilla was the name given to illegally-distilled mescal “moonshine”. Like moonshine, quality varies, but the best of the product is smooth, high proof, and in raicilla’s case so smoky that it can be said with minimum hyperbole that it makes Laphroiag Scotch taste like tap water by comparison. The market for raicilla proved so popular that a legal version is now produced; this is, perhaps, ironic in that the name itself (meaning “root”) was coined to escape ready detection by the authorities. Though the product is mainly consumed alone, it is also combined with juices and sodas. Its use in cocktails is, as yet, unheard-of.