Don Manny Destilado de Agave Blanco, a California Agave Spirit

Have you ever wondered what a California Agave Spirit tastes like? Well, today we are going to try one! In case you're unfamiliar, California Agave Spirits are similar to mezcal and tequila but are grown and made in California. Since they're a relatively new category, most people haven't had the chance to try California's newest spirit. While this category is similar to tequila, I think fans of mezcal or other agave spirits like raicilla, in particular, would be interested in trying it. Unlike tequila, both mezcal and California agave spirits can be made from multiple types of agave, rather than just one. This lack of limitation on agave species really increases the range of flavor possibilities for this category, which is why California Agave Spirits can offer such a wide variety of flavors and profiles.

When I first saw Don Manny's California Agave Spirit in stock at a few liquor stores in California, I was excited to get my hands on a bottle. Due to the limited supply, most California Agave Spirits are hard to come by and sell out quickly. Even though the nearest store was about an hour away, I made the drive out to Long Beach to pick up a bottle. At first glance, I was a little disappointed to see that this California Agave Spirit was made using Blue Weber Agave, the same type used in tequila. Would this spirit be just a knockoff tequila? Also similar to tequila, Don Manny's Destilado de Agave California Agave Spirit comes in three varieties: Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. Since I wanted to get the true essence of this new spirit, I chose the unaged Blanco so I could dissect its flavor profile without the influence of the barrel or aging notes. At $95, this was not a cheap bottle. With that in mind, I was really hoping this wouldn't just be an expensive tequila type spirit.

After opening the bottle and letting it breathe for a short while, I poured myself a champagne flute of the spirit to properly capture the aromas. On the first smell, I was pleasantly surprised. This smelled nothing like any tequila I had tried, nor any mezcal for that matter! The aromas were unique to me. There were hints of cooked agave, a sweet buttery note, followed by a light funkiness I would describe as being similar to cheese. From the smell alone, I was very intrigued and couldn't wait for that first sip. After taking a few sips, I was quite impressed. I could taste some minerality, a bit of funkiness, and a slightly sweet note that I would describe as similar to dark cherry, but also buttery. I was honestly blown away by how unique this spirit was, but what impressed me most was how little burn it had. Compared to other 40% ABV tequilas I've tried, this is hands down the smoothest agave spirit I've come across.

Following a brief chat with Don Manny online, I learned that this spirit is more reminiscent of raicilla than tequila. Raicilla is an agave spirit from Jalisco, Mexico, that only recently received recognition in 2019. Don Manny further explained that his grandfather used to make raicilla in the mountains of Jalisco, and they worked hard to replicate the cheesy, funky notes that are characteristic of raicilla in their first California batch. I think it's fantastic that Don Manny is able to continue his grandfather's tradition while also creating a truly Mexican-American spirit that's unique and unfamiliar to most. Being that this is only batch one, I can't wait to see what future batches will bring.

Spirits like Don Manny's Destilado de Agave Blanco are what excite me about the agave spirits category. Tequila and mezcal are the most popular currently, but the average consumer has no idea how versatile the category of agave spirits truly is. When you examine the broader category of all spirits made from the agave plant, you'll find an immense range of flavors, various production methods, and terroir from the local environment that contribute to unique and distinctive spirits. However, I'm a bit concerned that other large California producers may not see the potential for creating something unique and may be more focused on copying mezcal and tequila. I don't think Don Manny falls into this category, but if he is copying, he's doing so in the most respectful way. Following his family's tradition, while adding a California influence to his Mexican American spirit.