Sotol

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sotol is a distilled spirit made from the Dasylirion wheeleri (commonly known as Desert Spoon or, in Spanish, sotol), a plant that grows in the wilds of Northern Mexico and West Texas. It is known as the state drink of Chihuahua. There are few commercial examples available. It is produced in a manner similar to the more common artisanal mezcals of central Mexico.

[edit] History

Local Chihuahua Indians first discovered Sotol's magic intoxicating properties over 800 years ago. The Spanish used European distillation techniques to help enhance the purification process. Sotol is now beginning to achieve international recognition like its cousins, Mezcal and Tequila.

[edit] Production

The Desert Spoon takes approximately 15 years to mature, and creates only one bottle of Sotol per plant. It typically grows on rocky slopes in the Chihuahuan desert grassland between 3000 and 6500 feet above sea level. Unlike the Agave, which flower only one in their lifetime, Sotols produce a flower stalk each year. Once the plant matures, it is harvested similar to Agave plants when making Mezcal or Tequila. The outer leaves are removed to reveal the center core, which is taken back to the distillery. The core can then be cooked and/or steamed, shredded, fermented, and distilled.

[edit] Types

Age classifications:

• Plata – Un-aged, straight from ditillation to the bottle.
• Reposado (rested) – Aged several months to a year.
• Añejo – Aged for at least one year

• Sotol Moonshine is a short story about the drink by terryfunk.
• Hacienda de Chihuahua Sotol Reposado is the name of one brand that's exported commercially.