Broadening horizons: 10 non-Mexican agave spirits
From Aussie pechugas distilled with kangaroo meat, to South African expressions that make the unusual feel familiar – the world of agave spirits stretches way beyond the borders of Mexico, you just need to know where to look.
At the beginning of the year, we made our predictions as to what was likely to be big in the world of spirits in 2025, with non-Mexican agave spirits making our top five. Now that US president Donald Trump has slapped 25% tariffs on Mexican products, some Americans may be looking beyond Tequila and mezcal for their agave fix – just as we prophesied. However, agave spirits from outside of Mexico are still somewhat of a novelty, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 to introduce you to this emerging category and broaden your agave horizons.Act of Treason
Hailing from Australia, Act of Treason, Top Shelf International’s inaugural spirit, is made with agave grown in Queensland, which is described as a dry tropical region that provides ideal conditions for growing the plant. In fact, the region’s microclimate is said to mirror the climate of Jalisco and the town of Tequila in Mexico, which bodes well for anyone seeking a product as similar to the Mexican spirit as possible.
The debut product from the distillery, Act of Treason First Harvest Blanco, is made for ‘all-Australian Margaritas or sipping quickly’, and the liquid is said to offer flavours of citrus and cut grass, cooked agave, lime peel and tropical fruits, with a ‘smooth savoury agave character’.
In August 2021, Top Shelf revealed its Australian Agave Project, with the aim of establishing a category for Australian agave-based spirits. With this, it hopes to showcase to the world what agave is capable of and demonstrate the best of Australian terroir.
Cocuy Saroche
We’re heading to South America for this next agave spirit – and more specifically, to Venezuela, the birthplace of Cocuy Saroche.
This Venezuelan agave spirit is distilled from the fermented juices of the agave cocui plant, which is cultivated on the Dug Group’s estate. The tradition of making cocuy in Venezuela dates back to pre‐Columbian times when indigenous communities used the agave for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.
The production of this particular expression combines artisanal techniques with modern distillation methods in copper stills, ensuring a unique flavour profile which, according to the judges of The Tequila & Mezcal Masters 2024, is “sweet and fruity”.
Sango African Agave spirit
Spearhead Spirits uses South African agave for its Sango African Agave Spirit, which currently has two expressions in its range: a blanco and a reposado, the latter of which is rested in South African red wine oak barrels for 120 days.
The spirit is made from African Agave Americana from the Karoo desert and Salmiana agave from South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, both of which are roasted through artisanal methods in a combination of ovens and fire pits before being double distilled.
Described as an ‘African take on Tequila’ that pays homage to Mexican agave mythology, co‐founder Damola Timeyin says the brand has received an “overwhelmingly positive reaction from Tequila drinkers who are looking for something familiar but new”.
Ventura Spirits
Ventura Spirits founder Henry Tarmy says California, where the brand sources Agave Tequilana for its spirit, tecolotito, “is full of agave fanatics, so there has been strong interest in these early releases”.
The tecolotito is distilled from 5,500lbs of mature Agave Tequilana farmed and harvested in November 2023 by the ranch of Stan and Stephanie Giorgi in Glen Annie Canyon, Goleta, California. It was steamed, fermented, and double pot distilled at the distillery in Ventura. It is available in blanco and reposado formats exclusively in the state.
The Ventura team is passionate about highlighting how agave cultivation and spirits production can thrive outside of Mexico while honouring the tradition and sustainability ethos behind spirits such as Tequila and mezcal. They also support sustainable practices by partnering with farmers to use low-water crops like agave and reduce food waste.
Leonista
Using agave sourced from the Karoo region of South Africa is Leonista, which means 'lion energy'. The production process is said to follow an age-old recipe used in Mexico to make agave spirits like mezcal, which requires smoke and fire. This method provides Leonista with a smoky flavour similar to that of the Mexican-made agave spirit that inspired it.
But the brand's founder, Sarah Kennan, believes that Leonista offers something different to mezcal, by virtue of its place of origin. “The agave that it’s made from has a unique terroir, having been grown wild in the Karoo in South Africa. You’re not going to find that flavour anywhere else in the world.”
The portfolio, or 'Lionista pride' as it is referred to on the brand's website, currently features three expressions: a blanco, reposado, and a honey reposado, which has been infused with wild Cape honey.
Maya Pistola Agavepura
A relatively recent entrant to the non-Mexican agave category is Maya Pistola Agavepura, made from wild Agave Americana, which grows naturally in the Deccan Plateau region of India.
Maya Pistola Agavepura is a 100% natural and additive-free brand, and its añejo expression is aged for more than 14 months in virgin American white oak.
Founder and managing director Rakshay Dhariwal noted that “while it may be challenging to directly compete with the reputation and heritage of Tequila and mezcal, there is potential to carve out a niche market by focusing on quality, authenticity, and distinct flavour profiles.”
Last year, Diageo’s United Spirits arm purchased a minority stake in Inspired Hospitality, Maya Pistola's parent company.
Black Snake ASp Pechuga
We’re heading back to Australia for this very Australian agave spirit. ASp Pechuga by Black Snake Distillery in Narrabri, New South Wales, is made from Agave Americana that grows in abundance on the farm owned by its founders.
What makes this spirit unique is the recipe of fruits, nuts and spices along with kangaroo meat that is immersed into the distillate for more than 24 hours on its third distillation. The resulting product is said to be a creamy yet spicy spirit that reveals notes of lavender, raw green pumpkin seeds and melon. The kangaroo adds some gamey flavour, but its not overpowering – its worth trying this one neat to really get a grip on the flavour profile.
The distillery also produces additional agave spirits including ASp Joven, ASp Reposado, ASp Anejo, and ASp Ensamble. And the name ASp? That’s the distillery’s play and trademark on ‘Agave Spirit’ and ‘snake’.
El Ladrón Yolo
Venus Spirits has been producing agave spirits since 2014 under the brand name El Ladrón, which translates to mean 'The Thief' in English. In 2014, it was one of only three brands distilling agave spirits in the US. While its initial lineup of blanco, reposado, and añejo was produced solely from agave syrup imported from Mexico, in 2021, Venus partnered with Craig Reynolds and Muller Farms to distil the first traditionally pit-roasted agave spirit made from Blue Weber agave grown in Yolo County, California, which is then fermented and distilled in Santa Cruz, CA.
This spirit, roasted over almond wood, features both Tequila-like and mezcal-like notes, says brand owner Sean Venus, making it "distinctively Californian". The almond smoke and the mineral qualities of the agave are complemented by the tropical fruitiness from the brand's house yeast. Expect aromas of sweet pineapple and passion fruit alongside notes of subtle smoke on the palate that give way to a finish of cinnamon and black pepper.Ayam Agave
Produced at the same site as Maya Pistola, which was founded by Indian drinks veteran Desmond Nazareth, is Ayam Agave, a spirit made with 100% Agave Americana that is sourced from India’s semi-arid Deccan Plateau and distilled in small batches.
The process for creating this spirit, which is described as having "bright and fruity" notes with hints of spices and a "strong punch", began when Nazareth recognised the Blue agave plants growing in India from pictures of the same agave used to create Tequila in Mexico. He later learned that the Deccan Plateau shares a latitude with the agave regions of Mexico, as well as a similar terroir, making this plant the perfect raw material for creating spirits similar to the Mexican equivalent.
Desert Door Original Texas Sotol
And finally, Desert Door Sotol is wild harvested, distilled and bottled in Texas, and is described as a true ranch-to-glass spirit that tastes unquestionably of the land with no added sugars, artificial flavours or colours. The spirit is said to be smooth enough to sip straight or over ice and versatile enough to enjoy in your favourite cocktail.
Given this spirit derives from the sotol plant – a bright green succulent with a tall shooting stalk that grows wild all over the Chihuahua desert – Desert Door is therefore not an agave spirit. Many consider sotol to be agave adjacent, however, and it does bear a lot of similarities to the likes of Tequila and mezcal. As such, it remains a great option if you’re looking to extend your desert-dwelling plant-based spirits portfolio.
