This year, I dove deep into the world of agave spirits—and what I found went far beyond flavor. It was a world full of stories, people, and traditions that speak through every drop. But among all those discoveries, one spirit stood out and completely captivated me: Raicilla.
The first thing that struck me was its taste—unlike anything I had ever tried before. That single sip opened a flood of questions: What is this? Where does it come from? Who are the people behind it?
That curiosity became the spark that led me on a journey—one that would turn into My Name is Raicilla.
At first, I shared it with friends and family, only to realize that most had never even heard of it. How could such a unique and expressive spirit remain so hidden? That mystery pulled me in. The deeper I explored, the more I understood that Raicilla is not just a drink—it’s a living tradition. It carries the voice of its land, the hands that craft it, and the centuries-old stories of resistance and identity that define Mexico.
My Name is Raicilla is a cinematic journey through its history, its processes, and the people who keep it alive. The story unfolds through two narrators: Raicilla itself—personified as a voice from the mountains—and the producers who dedicate their lives to it. My goal wasn’t only to make audiences remember the name Raicilla, but to uncover everything it represents: a spirit born out of colonial prohibition, made entirely by hand in small batches, without chemicals, carrying a Denomination of Origin and its own official standard. Behind it stands a devoted community and a council that protects and promotes its legacy. Raicilla has a vast past, a grounded present, and an undeniably promising future.
For this documentary—the first I officially directed with PKGD Group—we packed our cameras and headed into the Sierra of Jalisco. There, we met five producers who opened the doors to their tabernas, shared their work with openness and warmth, and spoke about their hopes for the years to come. Through them, we discovered a community built on collaboration, mutual learning, and a shared dream: to keep this tradition alive, sustainable, and recognized for what it truly is—a treasure of Mexican heritage.
This time, our story begins in the mountains—but Raicilla’s voice carries all the way to the coast. Perhaps that’s where the next chapter will take us, to explore the many faces of this spirit that continues to reveal who it is.
In this journey, Raicilla became what many of its makers call it: “the soul of the mountain.”
I invite you to taste it, to bring it into your home, and to let it guide you through one of Mexico’s most fascinating, lesser-known worlds—the world of Raicilla.
Coming soon, stay alert…
November 28, 2025.
