Pisco is the signature spirit of both Peru and Chile: a brandy distilled from wine, unoaked and clear, clean and refreshing. It’s currently experiencing explosive growth in the U.S., expanding by as much as 80% annually. In a belated celebration of National Pisco Sour Day, Mark speaks with mixologist Duggan McDonnell, a partner in a brand called Encanto Pisco—“Pisco for bartenders, created by bartenders.” In Bizarre Beverage News, Mark explores the story of a winemaker who was kidnapped and stuffed into the trunk of a car, the use of chickens as a vineyard management tool, and explains why the current severe drought in California may be a disaster for growers and winemakers but is actually a boon for consumers.

LINKS:

Encanto Pisco—Link to: http://www.encantopisco.com

Binny’s Beverage Depot—Link to: http://www.binnys.com

Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History—Link to:
http://www.iconicspirits.net