Leonista

Leonista is a South African agave spirit started by Sarah Kennan in the Karoo. It is made from Agave Americana grown in the South African Karoo, following an age-old Mexican recipe for agave spirits. Because it is not made in Mexico, it cannot legally be called mezcal or tequila, so it is sold as an agave spirit. Three agave plants are planted for every one harvested.

What sets Leonista apart is how the agave is handled. It takes about 12 years for the average agave to be ready for harvesting. The leaves are removed by hand and the agave bulb, or piña, is baked in a wood-fired oven and smoked for 48 hours, turning the starches into sugars and giving the spirit its smoky flavour. The Reposados are aged three to six months in American oak barrels that previously held South African brandy, and the Honey Reposado is then infused with raw African honey.

Leonista is poured neat, on the rocks, or with lime. The Reposado is sipped on its own, on ice, or with lime. The Blanco is served long with bitter lemon as a summer serve, and the Honey Reposado is served with spicy ginger beer.