sotol plant range

Dasylirion wheeleri - S. Watson.

Common Name	Sotol, Common sotol, Bear Grass, Common Sotol, Desert Spoon
USDA hardiness	7-10
Known Hazards	None known
Habitats	Open, rocky slopes at elevations of 1200 - 1900 metres in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico [270].
Range	South-western N. America - Arizona to Texas and Mexico.

Where is Sotol made?

Sotol, an earthy, clear spirit sometimes called tequila's crazy little brother, is usually produced in Mexico. The desert spoon plant used to make it grows wild, notably in Mexico's Chihuahua region. However, it also grows as far south as Oaxaca and as far north as Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

What is the difference between Sotol and tequila?

Sotol captures the unique desert terroir of the region, and it's known for its sweet and smoky flavors, whereas tequila has more notes of citrus. Tequila, mezcal and sotol are all different from one another.

How do I grow Sotol?

Sotol grows best in full sun and well-drained, lean soil. Water it deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, water sotol deeply every few weeks during the summer months. Don't water it in winter or you risk rot.

Is Sotol a yucca?

Inappropriately named, the Sotol Yucca is a member of the Lily Family. ... Sotol forms a rosette of leaves that are only up to three feet long, but are lined with a multitude of very sharp spines; be sure to plant away from any walking paths.

How strong is Sotol?

Sotol ranges from 35 to 45 percent ABV.

What does Sotol taste like?

How does it taste? Compared to crisp Tequila or often-smoky mezcal, sotol tends to be bright and grassy. Depending on how and where it's made, some bottlings can have musky, earthy or vegetal characteristics. It's not unusual for some to liken sotol's funky aroma to sweaty socks.

Is mezcal stronger than tequila?

No, not necessarily. It just has a reputation as one of the stronger spirits. Many people find that the taste of mezcal is usually stronger than that of tequila, but that's another matter. Tequila and mezcal are both in the range of about 38% to 55% ABV (Alcohol by Volume), which is 76-110 proof.

Why do they put the worm in mezcal?

So, why is there a worm in mezcal? Larvae began appearing in mezcal bottles in the 1950s, when a mezcal maker discovered a moth larvae in a batch of his liquor and thought the stowaway improved its taste. He started adding “worms” to all his bottles as a marketing strategy.

Is Bacanora a tequila?

Bacanora is a type of mezcal from Sonora, a state in northwest Mexico, except it's a whole lot less smoky than most mezcals. Like tequila and mezcal, bacanora is made from the spiky agave plant native to Mexico.

How often does a desert spoon bloom?

Flowers & fruits: Dioecious, cream-colored flowers, plume-like, on 10 to 15 feet stalk, plants will only flower after the 7 to 10 years and then will not flower every year thereafter.

How do you propagate Dasylirion?

How to Propagate Dasylirion Wheeleri 'Sotol Plant' From Cuttings. When propagating Sotol Plant from cuttings, cut a leaf from the mother plant carefully with a clean knife or scissors. Before replanting, wait for a few days to allow it to callous. Use well-draining soil for your new succulent plant.

Are yucca and agave related?

Agave and yucca belong to the same subfamily (agavoideae) and have a similar appearance, with long, thin leaves bearing a sharp point at the end, radiating from a central stem to form a symmetric rosette. ... Yucca flower many times, agave only once, after which the plant dies.

What plants look like yucca?

Agave and Yucca-Like Plants of West and Southwest USA

Green sotol. Dasylirion leiophyllum.
Common sotol. Dasylirion wheeleri.
Texas false agave. Hechtia texensis.
Red yucca. Hesperaloe parviflora.
Bigelow's nolina. Nolina bigelovii.
Sacahuista. Nolina microcarpa.
Parry's beargrass. Nolina parryi.
Texas sacahuista. Nolina texana.

How do you prune a desert spoon plant?

Desert Spoon has a beautiful, natural form. The only pruning to be done is to remove the bottom leaves once they turn brown and die.

Is mezcal a Sotol?

Sotol is often compared to mezcal. ... While Mezcal is made from agave, sotol is made from a related group of plants in the dasylirion genus, referred to as sotol in Spanish and desert spoon in English. Like agave, dasylirion are round, spiky, and boast a dense inner core that can be roasted, fermented, and distilled.

Is Sotol a Mexican spirit?

Sotol is a distilled spirit of Mexican origin sourced from the family of Asparagaceae; the genus Dasylirion and several species, most commonly: Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion durangense, Dasylirion cedrosanum, and Dasylirion leiophyllum, less commonly with Dasylirion texanum and Dasylirion lucidum (commonly known as ...

What is Sotol used for?

Use Food: Indians and Mexicans prepared an alcoholic drink known as sotol by roasting the flower head in a pit for 24 hours and then distilling the juice. Use Other: The leaves are used to make mats, baskets, ropes, thatch, and paper.

What is the best liquor in Mexico?

A Guide to Mexico's Best Drinks

Tequila. A friend and a foe to many, tequila is the liquor of choice in Mexico. ...
Margarita. Mexico's most well-known cocktail is a deceptively simple combination of tequila, triple sec and lime juice, served with salt on the rim of the glass. ...
Paloma. ...
Michelada. ...
Horchata.

What liquor is Texas known for?

Tito Beveridge's vodka is by far the greatest success of any of the Texas spirits, says MacDonald, even though Tito's hasn't entered any spirits competitions since 2003.

Why is mezcal so expensive?

Most of the Mexican states where mezcals are produced are some of the most remote in the country. It can be incredibly difficult to extract the spirit from these distilleries—and it can be expensive to boot. Unlike tequila, mezcal production is not a uniform, industrialized process.

Does mezcal make you hallucinate?

Does Mezcal make you hallucinate? No, never. You're thinking of Mescaline, an hallucinogenic found in the buttons from the peyote cactus. Agaves are not cacti.

Can you drink mezcal straight?

The best way to drink mezcal straight is without ice. Serving mezcal straight at room temperature is the best way to experience its colorful flavors and aromas. Take a sip and swish it around in your mouth. This will open your palate and allow your taste buds to adjust to the initial burning sensation.