Cielo Rojo Bacanora Blanco

Cielo Rojo Bacanora Blanco is a handmade small series bacanora from Rancho Tepua in the state of Sonora, northwest Mexico, made by Roberto Contreras. Bacanora is the regional agave spirit of Sonora, legal to produce only since 1992 after a 77 year prohibition, and by law it is distilled from 100% Agave angustifolia, the same species as espadin grown wild in the desert north and known locally as Pacifica.

The pinas are roasted before crushing, which concentrates the sugars and lends a smoky edge, then the mosto is double distilled to a smooth, supple spirit. The nose is light, with menthol, herbs and wet grass, the palate buttery and creamy with soft smoke and floral notes and less menthol than the aroma suggests, and the finish is spicy with a touch of citrus and a round close. Bottled unaged at 45% to show the desert terroir.