Pisco’s not just for sours! Explore the bold flavors and fun pairings that make this spirit your new favorite.

March 6th, 2025

Pisco’s not just for sours! Explore the bold flavors and fun pairings that make this spirit your new favorite.

After attending a Pisco Masterclass & Happy Hour at Contessa Ristorante in the Miami Design District, hosted by ProChile, I walked away with a newfound appreciation for this versatile and history-rich brandy.

Our tasting journey began with a Pisco Verde cocktail, blending cucumber, oolong tea, and lemon for a refreshing drink that felt like the classiest spa water—but with a kick. Afterward, we moved on to neat pours, savoring three distinct styles of pisco.

The first pisco was Waqar, a light, crisp, and floral option that costs $36.50 for a bottle. With delicate floral and citrus notes, it made the perfect introduction for gin or vodka lovers looking to explore pisco.

Next came Mistral Nobel Blue Box ($33.99), a richer, whiskey-like pisco from a region known for its poor soil, which surprisingly enhances the spirit’s complexity. With notes of carnation, vanilla, and toffee, this pisco made a great alternative for whiskey drinkers.

Finally, we sampled Black Heron ($39), a wild and smoky pisco with an incredible backstory. This family-owned distillery, founded in 1850 and rebuilt after a devastating fire, creates pisco at an altitude of over 1,300 meters. The result? A smoky, vanilla, and caramel spirit with a bold, fruity finish. A pro tip from Juan C. Ortuzar, a representative from Black Heron: add a few drops of water (Just like you would for a whiskey) to unlock even more flavors—trust me, it’s a game changer!

To elevate the tasting experience, we paired the pisco with small bites that brought out the best in the spirit. The whipped ricotta on bread paired beautifully with the bold piscos, while the caprese salad balanced the lighter floral notes. The grand finale? Gouda cheese with crackers, which enhanced the rich vanilla and toffee notes of the bolder piscos. Pisco and cheese—who knew?

After the tasting, we moved on to Happy Hour, where bartenders served up pisco-based cocktails with a creative twist. Each sip showed me that pisco isn’t just a cocktail base; it’s an experience. Whether you enjoy it neat, mixed into a cocktail, or paired with food, it’s one of the most versatile spirits out there.

🔥 Love tequila? Try a bolder, aged pisco.

🍸 Prefer gin or vodka? Go for a light, floral pisco.

🥃 Obsessed with bourbon? A rich, vanilla-forward pisco will blow your mind.

So next time you’re at a bar or liquor store, don’t just order the classic pisco sour—sip it straight, mix it up, or pair it with a killer cheese board. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Pisco is finally making waves in the U.S., and it’s about time! Whether you’re a cocktail lover, whiskey drinker, or just someone who enjoys a well-made spirit, there’s a pisco for you.

Want to try some of the best Chilean pisco brands? Keep an eye out for Waqar, Mistral Nobel, and Black Heron—or explore even more up-and-coming distilleries making their way stateside.