Town 9 km east of Mascota
A hamlet east of Mascota named after raicilla, the sierra's agave spirit; home of Destilador del Real and a stop on the raicilla route.
Cimarrón Chico de la Raicilla is a hamlet in the valley east of Mascota whose full name says what it is known for. Raicilla is the agave spirit of Jalisco's western sierra and coast, a cousin of mezcal and tequila made for generations in small rural distilleries, often from wild or semi-wild agaves. Mascota and the villages around it are among its traditional heartlands.
For most of its history raicilla was a local, almost clandestine drink, sold in unlabeled bottles. In recent years it has gained a following and its own denomination of origin, and Cimarrón Chico is home to Destilador del Real, one of the best-known producers, which makes blanco, reposado and añejo raicillas combining traditional methods with modern equipment.
A visit here is part of the so-called raicilla route around Mascota, where you can see how the agave is cooked, crushed, fermented and distilled, and taste the result. Come with a designated driver, or book a tour from Mascota.
What to see and do
Visit a raicilla distillery and see the process from cooked agave to still.
Taste blanco, reposado and añejo raicillas.
Buy a bottle directly from the producer.
Combine it with Yerbabuena and Navidad on the same road.
Getting there
Cimarrón Chico is about 13 km east of Mascota, roughly 20 minutes by car on the valley road toward Navidad. There is no regular public transport. Ask ahead or in Mascota about visiting a distillery, since visits may need to be arranged.
9 km east of Mascota
Directions from Mascota on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Cimarrón Chico de la Raicilla
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Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Cimarrón Chico de la Raicilla.
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Weather mild
Cimarrón Chico de la Raicilla shares the climate of Mascota, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make Mascota your base
Cimarrón Chico de la Raicilla is an easy trip from Mascota, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Mascota
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Yerbabuena
· Town · 3 km away
A tiny village 4 km east of Mascota with cobbled lanes, a plaza and kiosk, and a stone chapel to the Virgin of Guadalupe from 1895. -
Cerro El Molcajete
· Mountain · 4 km away
An extinct volcanic cone just north of Mascota; a steep, forested climb rewarded with a view over the whole valley and town. -
Presa Corrinchis
· Lake · 7 km away
Mascota's reservoir on the Mascota River, about 7.5 km long, with kayaks, boat rides, fishing, horse rides and lakeside grills. -
Cascada El Rincón de Ixcatán
· Waterfall · 10 km away
A 6-meter waterfall on the Arroyo de la Plata north of Mascota, with a rock-rimmed pool for swimming at the end of a short hike. -
Laguna de Juanacatlán
· Lake · 13 km away
A deep, forest-ringed mountain lake north of Mascota, believed to fill an old volcanic crater; boats, kayaks and a lakeside resort. -
Navidad
· Town · 13 km away
A cool, quiet mountain village above Mascota with adobe houses, a stone church, a mill museum and homemade nieves.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.