Aged Chilean pisco entices UK trade
Two weeks ago, The Spirits Business and ProChile hosted an intimate tasting for a select group of the UK trade, featuring an exclusive selection of Chilean pisco in one of the first structured aged-pisco tastings of the region.
According to ProChile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs institution responsible for promoting Chilean goods and services globally, aged Chilean pisco is gaining significant attention in the UK.
A tasting event in central London, two weeks ago, highlighted why the category is at a turning point.
Hosted by ProChile, the event gathered a select group of UK trade professionals in London at Chilean fine-dining restaurant Mareida.
For many of the brands involved, the evening was the first opportunity to showcase their products in the UK, highlighting Chile’s growing export ambitions in the pisco sector.
Guests sampled six aged piscos, guided by Melita Kiely, the editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. Each pisco represented a different valley, production style, and ageing philosophy.
The selection featured expressions from the Atacama and Coquimbo regions, which are home to the five transversal valleys recognised under Chile’s Pisco Denomination of Origin: Copiapó, Huasco, Elqui, Limarí, and Choapa.
Kiely commented: “It’s not often London gets to experience an explorative and comparative tasting of aged Chilean piscos. This is a category with vast potential in terms of flavour, enjoyability, both neat and in mixed serves, and spanning different price points.
“The Pisco Sour has long been championing this lesser-known category here in the UK – and I hope we are on the cusp of seeing more people, both in the trade and from a consumer perspective, delve into this burgeoning category.”
For many attendees, the session was their first opportunity to explore the wide variety of aged Chilean pisco.
The different options presented showcased clear distinctions based on valley, altitude, grape variety, and wood ageing techniques. These factors are likely to appeal to premium on-trade venues, specialist retailers, and spirits educators who are looking to enhance their offerings next year.
Additionally, more trade activations, training sessions, and portfolio introductions in the UK are planned for early 2026.
Standout expressions
The tasting event showcased the diverse production from the Elqui, Huasco, and Limarí valleys. The first three piscos were served alongside dishes from Mareida’s à la carte menu.
Fuegos, from Aba Distillery in the Elqui Valley, featured a one-year French oak-aged blend of Muscat, Torontel, and Pedro Jiménez grapes. The pisco is characterised by notes of toasted coffee, chocolate, and banana, resulting from its double distillation and triple filtration.
Mistral, also produced in Elqui by CPCh, highlighted Muscatel and Pedro Jiménez grapes aged in American oak. It delivers flavours of toasted walnut, vanilla, and tea leaf, and is produced by Chile’s most well-known domestic pisco brand.
Alto del Carmen, made by Capel using Pink Muscat and Muscat of Alexandria grapes from the Huasco and Elqui valleys, presented a sweeter, oak-forward profile after ageing for two years in American and French oak. The expression is now entering the UK market thanks to Capel’s newly secured distribution.
The second half of the tasting began with Black Heron, from the Limarí Valley and produced by Pisquera Tulahuén. This pisco has a distinctive smoky, nutty style, blending spirits aged from two to six years and triple-distilled at 1,300 meters to reflect a historic smoky pisco tradition.
Also from Limarí, Don Lorenzo by Casa Bauzá offered an eight-year-old American oak-aged release made from high-altitude Pink and Alexandria Muscat grapes, yielding honeyed, dried fruit, and toffee notes.
Completing the lineup was Luxtelle from Bou Barroeta. This nine-year pisco is crafted from Muscat of Alexandria grapes and aged in complete darkness. The expression is known for its high proof, with flavours of cinnamon, honey, and clove.
Pivotal moment for Chilean pisco
UK imports of pisco have increased by over 100% year-on-year, bolstered by improved market access and a growing interest in terroir-driven, origin-protected spirits. As a result, pisco is firmly positioning itself in the premium segment.
Additionally, in the past 12 months, Chilean pisco exports to the UK have increased by 120%, making Britain one of its fastest-growing markets globally.
Capel’s newly announced distribution agreement in the UK further enhances access, increasing the availability of premium aged products for retailers and the on-trade sector.
Although transparent piscos dominate the UK market, aged pisco has historically been the leading category in Chile, where more than 35 million litres of pisco are produced annually – representing 80% of the world’s pisco production. Reportedly, nearly 95% of this production is consumed in Chile.
Last month, ProChile hosted its first UK pisco tasting for the trade in Manchester at Cupra City Garage.
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