Skip to main content

Sotol, Tequila’s Northern Cousin, is the Next Mexican Spirit You Have to Try

Over the last few years, spirits made in Mexico have gained notoriety and grown in popularity. First, tequilas rose to power (and still on top of the pile, as it were, selling 15,867,000 cases in 2016). Then, more recently, we’ve seen an explosion of mezcals available in markets across the United States. Now, we’re getting a new treat—the northern cousin to tequila and mezcal, sotol.

Made from a wild plant called “the Desert Spoon” (Dasylirion wheeleri), which is known as sotol in Spanish, the spirit can only be produced in three states—Chihuahua, Coahuila, or Durango. Originally, Desert Spoon was thought to be (and classified as) an agave, but is no longer as more DNA studies have been completed and it was shown that it is merely related to agave.

Fabriquero Sotol Production shot
Dasylirion Plant/Fabriquero Sotol Image used with permission by copyright holder

Fabriquero Sotol, for example, one of the first sotols to be sold commercially in the United States, is also one of only two sotols made in Durango. Produced by Don Héctor Jiménez using century-old methods at his family’s vinata, Fabriquero uses 100-percent estate-grown sotol that are hand-picked and cooked for five days in a pit that uses acacia and mesquite as fuel. Once cooking has been completed, the sotol is crushed and fermented in the open air before being double distilled in a copper alembic still.

Fabriquero Sotol
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As for its flavor profile, the spirit takes on many of the characteristics of the elements around it. You’ll get a good bit of minerality and grassiness from the terroir, while also having slightly smoky notes that come from the five-day cooking process. The various features that you can pull out of the sotol help it to be a spirit you can drink straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail (sotol old fashioned, anyone?)

Recommended Videos

Fabriquero Sotol will be available nationwide in limited quantities and will retail around $65.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
What is Gibraltar coffee? The trendy espresso drink you need to try
Where and how this tiny espresso drink began
gibraltar coffee

Found only at select coffee shops is the Gibraltar coffee -- a coffee menu item that will leave you saying, "What is that?" based on its name alone. This specialty coffee originated in San Francisco at Blue Bottle Coffee but has since spread to small coffee shops worldwide. I'd describe this coffee as similar to a Cortado, yet these two drinks have unique differences.

When I first saw a Gibraltar coffee at a coffee shop, I knew I needed to learn more about what this coffee was all about. I chatted with Gibraltar coffee expert Vadym Granovskiy, an expert in coffee Artistry, expertise and mentorship, and TEDx Kyiv Speaker, to learn everything about the Gibraltar coffee -- from how it's made to how it was invented. Granovskiy is especially inspired by the story behind the accidental invention of Gibraltar coffee, drawing inspiration as a coffee lover himself. In his free time, he loves to experiment with new coffee and espresso beverages.

Read more
World Whiskey Society is launching a bourbon that’s finished in a rare, Japanese cask
World Whiskey Society's newest bourbon was dubbed "Samurai Edition"
Whiskey in a glass

Fans of exceptional, unique whiskey know all about the World Whiskey Society's prowess. Founded in 2020, this brand strives to bring rare, ultra-premium expressions to whiskey drinkers' home bars and liquor cabinets. Its newest whiskey combines America's "native spirit" with the aging techniques popularized in Japan.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels

To say this whiskey is unique is an understatement. This 108-proof Kentucky straight bourbon dubbed the "Samurai Edition" begins with a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Originating at the renowned Bardstown Bourbon Company, it's first matured in charred white American oak barrels before being finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks previously used to age Shochu.

Read more
Michter’s releases two legacy whiskeys packed with flavor and heritage
Micher's is releasing two historic, timeless whiskeys
Michter's

If you're already a fan of Michter's iconic whiskeys like Michter's US-1 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Michter's US-1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon, or the iconic Michter's 10-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, you'll be excited to learn about the popular brand's two new releases set to hit store shelves this month.
Shenk's Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger's Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon

This month, the distillery will release two whiskeys in its Michter's Legacy Series: Shenk's Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and Bomberger's Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Read more