Caravedo Acholado 750ML

Caravedo Acholado 750ML is a Peruvian pisco blending quebranta and torontel grapes, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in a 750ml format. This expression earned 93 points at the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, reinforcing its standing as one of the most decorated piscos exported from Peru to the United States.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Ica Valley, Peru  |  Style: Acholado (blended grape)  |  Distillery: Destilería La Caravedo (est. 1684)

Production & Heritage

Destilería La Caravedo, founded in 1684 in Peru's Ica Valley at the foothills of the Andes, is one of the oldest operating distilleries in the Americas. The Acholado expression is distilled from 100% fully fermented grape juice — pure wine with no pomace — using both traditional copper pot alambique stills and falca stills. Approximately three kilos (seven pounds) of blended quebranta and torontel grapes go into each 750ml bottle. The spirit is single-distilled directly to proof, meaning no water is ever added — a rarity in global spirits production. Each varietal rests independently for four months before a five-month post-assemblage rest, totaling a minimum of nine months with no color, sugar, wood flavoring, or other additives of any kind.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pronounced apple and lemon grass open the nose, followed by golden raisins, honeysuckle, and white pepper. A subtle ocean breeze quality carries the aromatics forward, giving the impression of clean coastal air layered over ripe orchard fruit.

Taste: The entry is super dry and medium-bodied with striking citrus and minerality — limestone and pear purée arrive early, while guava and papaya flesh emerge at mid-palate. The structure is remarkably crisp and juicy, with impressions of banana and white spice building toward the peak.

Finish: A lingering, citrusy finish carries peppery heat and delicate floral notes that slowly fade. The dry, clean close underscores the purity of the distillate and its zero-additive production.

How to Drink Caravedo Acholado

Neat at room temperature is the ideal way to experience the full aromatic range and dry, structured palate; a small tulip-shaped glass concentrates the floral top notes effectively. This acholado also shines in cocktails:

• Pisco Sour — The dry citrus profile and medium body create the textbook balance of tart lime, frothy egg white, and aromatic bitters.
• Chilcano — The ginger ale highball format amplifies the spirit's lemon grass and white pepper aromatics with minimal dilution.
• Capitán — Paired with sweet vermouth, the quebranta backbone holds its own while the torontel florals add complexity to a stirred, Manhattan-style serve.

Best For

• Introducing a pisco enthusiast to acholado-style blends
• Building an authentic Pisco Sour at home with a competition-level base spirit
• Gifting a spirits collector something rooted in genuine historical provenance
• Exploring South American brandy traditions beyond Chilean and Argentine expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Caravedo Acholado taste like? Caravedo Acholado is super dry and medium-bodied, with dominant citrus, white spice, and tropical fruit flavors such as guava and papaya, accented by honeysuckle and a clean mineral backbone.

How does Caravedo Acholado compare to Pisco Portón? Both are produced by the same parent operation in the Ica Valley, but Pisco Portón's flagship is an acholado mosto verde — distilled from partially fermented must — yielding a sweeter, rounder profile. Caravedo Acholado, distilled from fully fermented wine, is drier, more structured, and markedly more citrus-forward.

Is Caravedo Acholado good for cocktails? Its dry, clean profile and medium body make it an excellent cocktail base, particularly in the Pisco Sour and Chilcano, where its citrus and floral notes integrate seamlessly with acidic and carbonated mixers.

Where is Caravedo Acholado made? It is produced at Destilería La Caravedo in the Ica Valley of Peru, situated amid the foothills of the Andes. The distillery was established in 1684, making it one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere.

What foods pair well with Caravedo Acholado? Ceviche benefits from the spirit's citrus acidity and mineral finish. Grilled white fish echoes the clean, oceanic aromatic quality. Fresh goat cheese mirrors the dry, slightly tangy palate. Papaya or guava desserts create a complementary tropical bridge. Lightly spiced empanadas play well against the white pepper and banana impressions.

What sizes does Caravedo Acholado come in? The standard commercially available size is the 750ml bottle.

Is Caravedo Acholado worth the price? Caravedo Acholado positions as a premium pisco within the U.S. import market, and its 93-point Ultimate Spirits Challenge score, zero-additive production, and the sheer volume of grapes required per bottle represent strong value for the category tier.

Why Caravedo Acholado?

Few spirits carry the historical weight of a distillery dating to 1684, and fewer still maintain the discipline of distilling to proof with absolutely no post-distillation additions — no water, no sugar, no coloring. The acholado blend of quebranta and torontel grapes gives this expression a dual personality: the earthy, structured grip of quebranta anchored by the aromatic lift of torontel. With 93 points from the 2019 Ultimate Spirits Challenge and over 150 cumulative awards across international competitions, Caravedo Acholado stands as one of the most credentialed Peruvian piscos available in the American market. For anyone serious about understanding pisco as a category, this is a benchmark bottle.