Discovering India's unique sips of agave-based alcoholic creations with Kimberly Perera

You may be familiar with tequilas and mezcals, but did you know there's another delicious spirit derived from the agave plant that originated in our own country? Agavepura is a spirit prepared through the agave plant and it comes alive from the Deccan Plateau of India.

Kimberly Pereira of Maya Pistola Agavepura, Asia's first premium 100% agave, takes us into the world of agave spirits.

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Do you think India is moving away from the rum and whiskey market towards adopting agave-based alcohol?

India has always been a market for brown spirits and our love for rum and whiskey will never diminish.

That being said, today's consumers are highly open to experimenting with different spirits categories that offer something new as reflected in the International Wine and Spirits Record, which shows that the amount of agave in India Nearly doubling in 2023, making it the fastest growing major spirits category. In global travel retail.

While the global agave movement started strong with tequila and mezcal, the agave revolution in India is just getting started, and there is still much to be discovered. In fact, 2024 has even been dubbed the 'Year of the Agave', with the volume of agave growing by +37% on the previous year. We anticipate that within the next 5 to 6 years, consumer demand for new agave variants will increase, beyond traditional markets.

Can you comment on the tasting notes of tequilas and mezcals, how different they are in their nature despite being prepared from agave?

While all agave spirits originate from the same parent plant, the Agave genus; What distinguishes each soul is its subtle method of production which differs from its different types.

Pure agave spirits like Pistola have a naturally sweet, vegetal flavor similar to that of the earth. They often contain notes of white pepper, they are herbal with a smooth, slightly floral finish. The flavor is clean and bright, with a subtle complexity that highlights the essence of the agave plant. When it comes to tequila (made from Blue Weber agave and licensed for production only in five designated regions in Mexico), one can expect a crisp, clean flavor with herbal, citrus and peppery notes. Is; Whereas mezcals (also a GI-tagged product for Mexico), tend to be smoky and bold in flavor.

You talk about your agave creation as a “low-calorie, no-hangover alert drink.” Do you think agave-based alcohol gives a kick, but not a painful hangover?

Agave is generally a low-sugar option, and it's flexible enough to be consumed by those who want to be conscious of their intake.

When made with high quality ingredients and a production philosophy that allows for zero adulteration like ours, agave spirit becomes a better choice for consumption. The coloring and flavoring agents in spirits are responsible for hangovers and other side effects of drinking alcohol. With our Agavepura, the intention is to have an authentic drinking experience without the worry of a hangover the next morning.

Which city loves agave? Where do you see the greatest demand?

The Pistola variants are available in six markets in India (Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, West Bengal and Assam) and three markets internationally (USA, Thailand and Singapore).

Joven and Reposado are the most popular choices throughout the country. Bangalore, Delhi and our most recent launch – Kolkata, have consistently been our top performing cities. We have received a strong response from the Asian markets with our Bar acquisitions.

How do you recommend drinking agave-based spirits? We'd love to know your favorite recipe?

Agave spirits are flexible in drinking styles – they make excellent sipping varieties; They are easily mixed as cocktail bases without losing their distinctive characteristics, and they also taste best over ice with a few drops of water.

My recommendation is to go for our Añejo, an aged agave spirit that has matured for a little over a year, as neat as whiskey on ice. It really allows one to taste the layered profile of cocoa and dried figs on a subtle, smoky background.

Is tequila only for shots?

Tequila was misinterpreted as a 'shooter spirit', which was intended to end a party with one last round of shots, due to pop-culture references over the years. But the reality is that agave-based spirits are extremely versatile in consumption styles – introducing agave as a drinking spirit.

What about educating people about agave and its alcoholic preparations?

It is a common misconception that tequila and agave are the same. This stems from the widespread recognition of the term 'tequila', which is contrary to the understanding of the larger agave category.

We are working towards creating the identity of Agavepura – which is neither tequila, nor mezcal, but an Indian origin spirit. Pistola's 100% agave spirit is made using the wild Agave Americana found in the Deccan Plateau.