Discover the Spirit of Bacanora | Kilinga Bacanora Interview Part 1 | The Liquor Connoisseur
- connoisseurofliquo
- May 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
Before Crystal and Roger could understand Kilinga's liquid, they needed to understand Bacanora itself. In Part 1 of this three-episode series, they sit down with the Kilinga team to learn about a spirit most people have never heard of — one that's been made in Sonora, Mexico for centuries, was illegal for decades, and is now fighting for its place on the global stage.
Spirit Overview
Spirit: Bacanora — Mexico's third Denomination of Origin spirit after Tequila and Mezcal
Region: Sonora, Mexico exclusively
Agave: Pacifica (Agave angustifolia) only
Legal status: Illegal in Mexico until 1992, granted PDO in 2000
Producer: Kilinga — family-owned, traditional production
What Is Bacanora?
Bacanora is a distilled spirit made exclusively from the Pacifica agave in the Mexican state of Sonora. It shares DNA with Mezcal but has its own distinct character — earthier, often smokier, with a dryness that comes from both the agave variety and the regional production methods. It was illegal in Mexico until 1992 and didn't receive its protected designation of origin until 2000, which means it's still finding its commercial footing even as it's been made in Sonoran communities for generations.
Why You Haven't Heard of It
Unlike Tequila and Mezcal, Bacanora hasn't had the marketing budget, the celebrity endorsements, or the cocktail culture tailwind to push it into mainstream awareness. That's exactly why it's worth paying attention to now. The category is still at the stage where the best bottles are being made by small families who have been doing this for generations — not by large corporations chasing a trend.
The Kilinga Story
Kilinga is one of the brands working to change Bacanora's visibility outside of Mexico. Crystal and Roger use this first episode to understand the mission: bring a traditional spirit to a new audience without losing what makes it special. It's a story about cultural preservation as much as it is about good liquor.
🥃 Crystal & Roger's LC Recommendations
If you're new to agave spirits: Bacanora is a great entry point — it shows you what agave tastes like before the category got heavily commercialized. Watch this episode first, then try to find a pour.
If you love Mezcal: Add Bacanora to your list. Same respect for tradition, different region, different agave, different experience. Kilinga is worth tracking down.
If you want the full story: Watch all three parts of this series. The liquid gets more interesting the more you understand the culture behind it.
LC Verdict
A genuine introduction to a spirit that deserves far more attention than it gets. Part 1 sets up everything that follows — don't skip it.
Drink To Remember, Not To Forget. 🥃
🥃 Want to Experience This With an Expert?
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