Pisco

Pisco is a grape brandy that is very popular throughout Latin America, particularly in Chile and Peru, both of which claim to have founded the drink. It is very strong, typically having around 45-50% alcohol, and it tastes somewhat like vodka or aguardiente, except stronger. While pisco is traditionally made as a non-aromatic, tasteless drink (which makes it useful in cocktails), pisco production has taken a turn in recent decades, particularly in Peru. Angered by Chilean claims of pisco as their own, Peruvians adopted pisco as their national drink and began to produce a large number of unique piscos utilizing numerous untraditional varietals. As a result, while the traditional pisco is still a “quebrante,” in modern day Peru it is possible to find numerous different styles, the 5 most common being (in order of least sweetness to most): Quebrante, Torrontel, Acholado, Italia, and Mosto Verde. There are also several other varietals which are breaking into the market but which are not well-known yet.