Tecolotito Review and Visiting Ventura Spirits

Tecolotito Review and Visiting Ventura Spirits

This past month, I had the opportunity to visit Ventura Spirits in Southern California, and the highlight of my visit was sampling their new California Agave Spirit, Tecolotito. I first heard about Ventura Spirits last year at the Second Annual California Agave Council Symposium, where I was impressed by their previous California Agave Spirit, YOLO. Although Ventura is quite a drive for me, I was eager to visit their tasting room and learn more about Tecolotito. During my visit, I had the chance to speak with Ventura Spirits' team and CEO/Co-Founder Henry Tarmy, who shared more with me about Tecolotito and its production process. He also gave me a behind-the-scenes look at their distillery and Agave distilling efforts.

What Does Tecolotito Mean?

One of my first questions for the team was about the name: why Tecolotito? In Spanish, "Tecolotito" means "little owl" or "baby owl," but the name also honors the region where the agaves were grown—Goleta, California. The Blue Weber Agaves used to craft Tecolotito were sourced from the ranch of Stan and Stephanie Giorgi in Glen Annie Canyon, which is near Tecolotito Creek. Additionally, owls are a favorite of California agave farmers. Gophers, one of the most troublesome agave pests, are a common prey of owls, making them a natural ally in pest management. Many agave growers in California have installed, or are considering installing, owl houses to encourage this ecological balance. For these reasons, I like to consider owls the unofficial mascot of the California Agave industry, which makes the name even more appropriate.

How Is Tecolotito Made?

Tecolotito is made from Blue Weber Agaves (Agave tequilana), the same species used in tequila production. However, the agaves grown in California might differ slightly in genetics from their Mexican counterparts. After hearing descriptions and seeing pictures of the harvest, I was amazed by the larger piña size and higher sugar content compared to what I typically expect from Agave tequilana in Mexico. Could these be a hybrid agave? Once harvested, the piñas were chopped and steamed at Ventura Spirits. After steaming, they were shredded, and their juice was extracted using hot water. For fermentation, the team employed cerevisiae distiller’s yeast. Ventura Spirits’ respectful handling of the agaves truly shines through in the flavors of the finished spirit.

What Does Tecolotito Taste Like?

When trying a new California Agave Spirit with multiple expressions, I always start with the unaged blanco to experience the purest flavors of the spirit. I prefer spirits that honor both the agave and the land where it’s grown, and Tecolotito does just that.

After trying the blanco, I was impressed by the citrus notes that stood out. While palates vary, I detected subtle flavors of grapefruit, agave, and lemon herbal tea. The crisp, easy-to-drink profile at 42.5% ABV made it a delightful and unique experience. The blanco was my favorite of the two expressions, but the reposado also had its strengths. Aged for nine months in MGP High Rye Bourbon barrels, the reposado offered deeper wood and rye notes, complemented by a richer mouthfeel and a black pepper finish. Both expressions were refreshing and enjoyable to sip on, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Where Can I Get Tecolotito?

While supplies last, Ventura Spirits offers both blanco and reposado varieties at their tasting room and for shipping within California. However, their popular gift set has already sold out, so act quickly if you’re interested in trying it! Ventura Spirits made the choice to release 375ml bottles, which are smaller than the standard liquor bottle. While these bottles go fast, this smaller size allows for more units to be sold, giving more people the chance to try this rare and unique California experiment.

What’s Next for Ventura Spirits Agave?

While most would assume more Tecolotito could be grown and produced, it’s not that simple. Henry Tarmy mentioned that Tecolotito is a limited release, and they aren’t sure if there will ever be another one just like it. The agaves used for Tecolotito are unique and not available in large quantities. If more agaves with similar genetics become available, I’d be thrilled to see another batch, but until then we'll have to be patient. In the meantime, Henry and his team continue to experiment with California Agave spirits. They are working with multiple agave varieties, including Agave Americana, and developing new flavors and blends. It’s exciting to witness Ventura Spirits lead the charge in California’s growing agave revolution, and I can't wait to see more of what they'll release in 2025 and beyond.