South American Brandy? Yes Please!

In addition to strict production regulations, Peruvian piscos are further categorized into aromatic or non-aromatic as well as puro (pure) or acholado (blend). This is a puro pisco meaning that this is the product of only one grape. In this case, it is the moscatel grape which is an aromatic grape. As of early 2016, this is now available in the US after only being sold in Peru.

Singani is a spirit that has been produced since 1530. It has its own DO (denomination of origin) and GI (geographical indication) and can only be produced in the Bolivian Andes. The grapes (of which only muscat of Alexandria can be used) must be planted at a minimum of 5250 feet (1600 meters). As Singani is not recognized as its own spirit category in most of the world, it can only be described as a brandy, but it is better to think of it as an eau-de-vie. This Singani is the first to be available in the United States and for that you can thank director, Steven Soderbergh and his blood, sweat, and tears (and money).

Mistral's Pisco is distilled from Pedro Jimenez and Muscat of Alexandria grapes in Chile's Elqui Valley. It is aged in American oak barrels and bottled at 92 proof.

Macchu Pisco is distilled in copper pot stills using only non-aromatic quebranta grapes. Aged for from 3 months to up to a year in non-wood containers before bottling. Approximately 10 pounds of grapes go into making each bottle of Macchu Pisco.

This Caravedo is a pisco puro, which means that it is made with only one grape from the allowed eight in the production of Peruvian pisco. In this case, they use the quebranta grape. Quebranta is a non-aromatic varietal so the fruit notes that you find will be minimal. As it the case with all Peruvian piscos, this is distilled to proof without any water added at any point. This was launched in the U.S. in May 2015.

Nobel is an extra-aged pisco expression from the Mistral distillery located in the Elqui Valley of Chile. It is aged in new American oak barrels and is named in honor of Gabriela Mistral, a Chilean recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

"Mosto Verde" ("green must" in Spanish) refers to the technique of distilling the wine before the fermentation is complete, with the aim of preserving the fresh, floral aromas of the grape. BarSol's flagship Pisco starts with 100% aromatic italia grapes fermented until the alcohol reached 3-5%, then distilled to the precise proof at which it is to be bottled (Peruvian Pisco may not be diluted with water).

An acholado is a blend of different varieties, in this case mostly quebranta grapes (approx. 70%) with some of the aromatic italia and torontel grapes (both Muscat clones). BarSol Selecto Acholado Pisco is bottled at 41.3% ABV.

The House of Marnier Lapostolle was originally founded in France and is most known for their Grand Marnier liqueur. In 1994, one of the family members expanded the business to Chile in the form of a winery, Casa Lapostolle. Kappa Pisco was introduced in 2011 and is the first clear spirit produced by the family. It's distilled using pink muscat (rosé) and muscat of Alexandria grapes grown in the Elqui Valley of northern Chile. The brand name comes from the Kappa Crucis Cluster or Jewel Box, regarded as one of the most visually striking star formations seen from the Southern Hemisphere.