The Wonder That is Sotol and Where to Find It in Texas
Discover > Truly Texan > The Wonder That is Sotol and Where to Find It in Texas
Mmmm, the magic of sotol. I remember the first time I tried sotol was at a gender reveal party for my friend’s baby boy. From that point on, I was hooked on this wonderful drink that mixes the best parts of mezcal and tequila. However, this spirit isn’t quite as famous as the faithful tequila shots with salt and lime that we all know and love. With just a single whiff of a newly opened bottle of sotol, you’ll be taken aback by the strong aroma. But don’t let that stop you from trying it—it might just become a new favorite of yours.
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What Exactly is Sotol?
The humble Desert Spoon, scientifically referred to as the Dasylirion wheeleri, is a plant that is distilled to provide the main ingredient of sotol. This desert plant is characterized by its long spiny leaves that leave some mistaking it for a succulent. It grows in Mexico’s Chihuahua region, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and South Oaxaca.
After being introduced to the world of sotol, I did a little research and came to learn that there’s a fair amount of legal backing behind making this drink in Northern Mexico. Distilleries have to apply for a permit from the Federal Government of Mexico to make this spirit, proving that this drink has come to be significant to the very culture of Mexico.
Sotol, according to my Mexican-American friends, is enjoyed during particular noteworthy moments in a person’s life, such as a wedding. The spirit certainly holds a unique place in the hearts of Mexicans and, for me as a Texan, the first shot of this spirit was a momentous occasion in itself, which is why I continue to sip it whether I’m celebrating a special occasion or not!
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How is Sotol Made?
The rustic process of making sotol all starts with the expertise of a sotolero (sotol distiller). At the vinata (sotol distillery), he or she digs a pit in the ground and tops it with a conical oven. The Desert Spoon plant is then roasted in the oven for 4-5 days in the desert and 5-7 days in cooler forest regions. Depending on the region in which the sotol is distilled, different kinds of woods are used in the roasting process. Desert regions use mesquite, while forest regions commonly use oak to roast their sotol.
To work out the alcohol percentage of each batch of sotol, a traditional process involving cow horns is practiced by sotoleros. The finished product is poured into a cow horn, which is then transferred to another cow horn. The sotolero examines the bubbles that appear when pouring the liquid into the second horn, with this determining the strength of the recently distilled spirit (ideally 50% ABV or 100 proof).
How Does Sotol Taste?
Sotol pushes forward a grassy taste that is complemented by earthy flavors that may be quite surprising to first-time drinkers of the spirit. But don’t be dissuaded by the aroma. You’ll be surprised to find that sotol offers a crisp, clean taste, with a piney brightness eventually shining through. Some varieties of sotol feature notes of lemongrass or even hints of fresh jalapeño peppers.
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Sotol and The Lone Star State
We know that this spirit is distilled in Northern Mexico where the sotol plant grows in the wild. But are there any distilleries in Texas that also dabble in concocting this wonderful spirit? Turns out there are two to really shout about!
Desert Door Distillery
Based in Driftwood, Texas, Desert Door Distillery offers both experienced and newbie sotol drinkers a brilliant boozy experience. Harvesting sotol plants from the wild, the distillery does not grow the plants themselves in order to conserve both land and water. Upon opening one of Desert Door’s bottles, you’ll find that this Texas sotol greets you with notes of vanilla and green grass. And when it comes to taste, the zingy spirit offers hints of orange-zest, toffee, and mint. Unlike Tequila, however, the finish is smooth with a lingering and gentle hint of sage.
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Desert Door Distillery offers drinking folks a fabulous sotol that is distilled with passion in mind.
Address: 211 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood, TX 78619
Contact: (512) 829-6129
Marfa Spirits Co.
With the Desert Spoon plant growing in Northern Chihuahua and extending far north into Texas Hill Country, Marfa Spirits Co. was inspired to distill their own Texas-native sotol. Due to the vast area in which this plant grows, there is also a wide range of flavor profiles that are highly dependent on the growing conditions that the Desert Spoon is exposed to. Morgan Weber, owner of Marfa Spirits Co., trained under the revered sotolero Jacobo Jacquez of Sotol Don Celso to create a Texan Sotol that pays respect to generations of sotoleros in Mexico. His efforts birthed two kinds of “Chihuahuan Desert Sotol”. One iteration comprises a 6-time filtered sotol at 40% alcohol with a light and fruitier flavor profile. Their 4-time filtered iteration, however, consists of 45% alcohol and is best enjoyed straight up.
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Marfa Spirits Co. adds a Texan twist to the age-old traditions of Mexican sotoleros.
Address: 320 W El Paso St, Marfa, TX 79843
Contact: hello@themarfaspirit.com
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Sotol is a drink that stands for the best times, adding a much-deserved kick to special moments in our lives. Through ups and downs, this fine spirit sourced from the arid deserts of Northern Mexico has been enjoyed by Mexican natives. Now, Texans can get their hands (and taste buds!) on this delightful drink and savor a beverage that is steeped in history and tradition.
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