Raicilla, Sotol, & Churique

Raicilla is a spirit made in Jalisco state from agaves distilled in remote areas.  Raicilla is a mezcal – but not on the label, due to Mexican regulations.  Raicilleros use at least nine kinds of agave, all of them wild, some with several differing local varieties.  Raicilla goes way back in time; its distillation was introduced in the 1600s from the Spanish colonies in the Philippines, which resulted in the common use of the primitive Filipino double-chamber clay still.