Sep 30 2024

Pacharán Navarro Basarana Etiqueta Negra and Aguardiente Vedra do Ulla Receive Best Spirit with PGI 2024 Award

The companies that produce the winning spirits were recognized for using traditional ingredients, having local ties, and investing in R&D

Origin, exports and production

The production of both of these very spirits is a longstanding tradition, and their consumption is closely tied to the regions where they’re made, Navarre in the case of pacharán and Galicia in the case of aguardiente, respectively, although they are popular all over Spain.

Pacharán is mainly produced for domestic consumption, although a very small amount is exported, to France, Andorra, the US, Singapore, and Australia. The figures for aguardiente are similar; it’s mainly consumed in Spain, although a very small amount is exported, mainly to Norway and in smaller amounts to Taiwan, Singapore, the US, and Australia.

Aguardiente is obtained by distilling fermented agricultural materials such as cereals, grapes, wine, sultanas, pomace, etc., to which no flavoring or alcohol may be added. Pacharán is prepared by soaking sloe fruit, coffee beans, and a cinnamon stick soaked in anisette in ethyl alcohol, for between one and eight months. The result is a sweet, red-brown liquor.

The evaluation in this category included a close-up look at the companies that produce these premium beverages, in particular their track records in terms of innovation, sales, sustainability, and rural development. Two spirits that are worth a try!