Taste Atlas places the ‘Chilean pisco’ above the Peruvian pisco in the ranking of spirits

The portal Taste Atlas, a gastronomic guide that serves as a reference for tourists and diners all over the planet, has once again generated controversy with one of its rankings. This time dedicated to the best spirits in the world.

In the list entitled “Best spirits in the world” and promoted this March 20 on its official Instagram account, the media places reposado tequila (from Mexico) at the top of the ranking along with Islay whiskey (Scotland) and Viljamovka (Croatia) in the winning list.

However, it is the positions from 10 to 20 that have generated controversy.

In the aforementioned ranking, ‘Chilean pisco’ (‘Chilean pisco’) is ranked 12th, followed by Peruvian pisco eight squares later.

On the Taste Atlas website, the following is also developed: “Pisco is a drink that is distilled from fermented grape musts and juices. It is considered a national drink in both Peru and Chile, but the style and character of pisco can differ depending on where it was created.

Regarding Peruvian pisco, its description adds: “Pisco is a brandy that is distilled from fermented grape juice. It was invented in the 16th century as a replacement for orujo, an old Spanish pomace brandy. Although it is also produced in Chile, Peruvian pisco results in a slightly different drink due to the different ‘terroir’, grapes and techniques used in its production. In Peru, pisco can be made with eight grape varieties, mostly native. It is distilled only once to preserve its dominant flavors while dilution and oak aging are strictly prohibited. The drink is usually strong with dominant earthy and herbal flavors, but the character may differ slightly depending on the choice of grapes.”

Regarding the Chilean drink, it is indicated that “it is made predominantly with muscatel and can be distilled more than once, although aging in oak is also allowed.”

As is well known, there is a dispute over the designation of origin of pisco.

According to Indecopi figures, in 2019, there were 45 nations that recognized the denomination of the Chilean brandy. While 71 countries the denomination ‘pisco’ in favor of Peru. Of these, 30 exclusively recognized the denomination pisco for Peru. Among them: Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, Algeria, Haiti, Honduras, India, Israel, Panama, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Venezuela, among others.

This is not the first time that the pisco discussion has reached international media. In 2019, Peruvian winemaker Johnny Schuler answered a question about appellation of origin in the Latin American edition of Deutsche Welle.