The Secret History of Pisco: A Pisco Primer
Photo by twohelmetscooking.
The oldest spirit in the Americas may just be the living legacy of the world’s first potable distillate. This same clear grape spirit from Peru also anchored our first tropical cocktail: yes, I’m referencing pisco and the pisco punch. Created and first prepared in secret at San Francisco’s iconic Bank Exchange Saloon in the 1880s, the pisco punch—made with both fresh pineapple and fresh-squeezed lime juice—paved the way for piña coladas, mai tais and margaritas as well as poolside debauchery and tiki attire for all. Fun!
What Is Pisco?
A simple explanation: pisco is the Peruvian grape spirit named after the port where it originated in the 16th century, just as cognac is the grape spirit of France, named for the riverside town from which it hails.
Most often, you’ll find notes of cocoa, almonds and bread when tasting pisco; however, as it’s a floral spirit, it can also have aromas of honey and jasmine, white pepper and mint. Being a clear spirit, pisco is infinitely mixable and boasts an amazing history, most of which is undiscovered by Americans.
How Pisco Is Produced
Producing pisco is a journey through both boutique wine and artisanal spirit culture. It requires harvesting both red and white grapes, then making amazing wine, then distilling it (but once) and finally, allowing the spirit to rest a while in neutral tanks. Don’t even think of adulterating the flavor with an oak chip, a citrus-peel infusion or even water. That’s right; Peruvians and pisco enduros—the term for lifelong fanatics and passionate pisco addicts—truly believe in the purity of distilled spirits and in the terroir of Peru.
Pisco is purer than vodka, with more kick than tequila. Why? It’s simple: pisco isn’t distilled repeatedly, nor is it filtered through charcoal as vodka may need to be, and as it’s bottled at proof—sin agua—resulting in a slightly higher alcohol content than its northern cousin (tequila), which accounts for its unmistakable kick.
Pisco Production on the Rise
New York Times journalist Florence Fabricant recently wrote that pisco is the fastest-growing spirit in the country. That’s an exciting fact for all who love cocktails.
Guillermo Toro-Lira, author and proprietor of Pisco Latin Lounge in San Francisco, said, of sharing pisco with the cocktail-curious, “I’ve actually converted bartenders who work at T.G.I.Friday’s and Applebee’s, to name a few, from vodka to pisco. Bartenders are always pleasantly surprised by pisco’s complexity and versatility for mixing.” Those bartenders are actually experiencing a bit of history: distillation of wine first began over a millenia ago and unaged grape-based spirits like pisco were the most common distilled tipple in Europe for many centuries.
If the New York Times is correct, and if Applebee’s and T.G.I.Friday’s may soon be serving pisco, somebody should call Peru—and tell them we’ll need a few more bottles of pisco this summer.
Editor’s Note: What’s your favorite way to drink pisco–straight up or in a cocktail?
