What is Pisco?

Pisco is distilled from grapes. It’s hard liquor like tequila and vodka. In Chile and Peru, grapes were introduced by the Spaniards, and soon, the production of Pisco and wines (of course) was started. There is an ongoing fight between Peru and Chile about the birthplace of Pisco.

Odds are, if you’ve traveled down to Chile then you’ve surely sipped on a famous pisco sour cocktail. It’s a tangy treat made straight from grape brandy, also known as pisco. Additionally, it is the national drink of Chile and loved by citizens and foreigners alike.

There is a never-ending debate when it comes to pisco. The big question at hand is-- who invented it? Both Peru and Chile claim the liquor is distinctly theirs. Here’s what the countries have to say about it:

According to Chile... Pisco was created near Pisco Elqui, a small bohemian town found in the Elqui Valley. Not to mention, the first commercial label came from Chile in the 1880’s, while Peru didn’t begin selling until roughly 40 years later!

While Peru Says...Spanish colonists brought wine grapes with them when they came to Peru. These grapes were planted near Ica, Peru and later used to make a grape brandy. The brandy was distributed at a port named Pisco, which also became the name of the liquor.

For now, the true story remains a mystery. But what matters most is that a fine liquor and tasty cocktail were somehow created. Today, both Peru and Chile are producers of pisco, each utilizing their own distinct distilling process and sharing their drink with locals and travelers from around the world.

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