What is Destilado Caballito?
Caballito is a type of agave distillate that is produced in Mexico, specifically in the state of Oaxaca. It is an artisanal mezcal that is made from the espadín agave, using traditional distillation methods. The process of making Caballito involves cooking the agave pineapples in stone ovens for several days, grinding the cooked pineapples in a stone mill pulled by a horse, fermenting the must in wooden vats and finally, distillation in copper stills.
El Caballito is characterized by its smoky and smooth flavor, with notes of tropical fruits and spices. It is a distillate that can be enjoyed alone, with ice or as an ingredient in cocktails. It is important to note that, although Caballito is a type of mezcal, not all mezcals are Caballito, since this is a specific mezcal that is produced only in Oaxaca.
Elaboration process
The process of making Caballito is very laborious and requires great physical effort. First, the agave piñas are cooked in stone ovens for several days until they are soft and cooked. The cooked piñas are then ground in a stone mill that is pulled by a horse, which helps extract the juices from the agave.
The must is fermented in wooden vats, where it becomes alcohol. Finally, the alcohol is distilled in copper stills to produce Caballito. The distillate is bottled and marketed as a high-quality artisanal mezcal.