Ilbra Yacoob

Wooden barrels in Trabanco Cider Mill

South Africa has its Amarula, Mexico has Tequila and Mezcal, Uganda has its Waragi, and Japan has its sake. Each has traditions and rituals wrapped around it, so exploring the typical spirits of a region can take you right into the soul of a nation.

The Seychelles’ terroir of granite soil is perfect for cultivating sugarcane which is one of the key ingredients in Rum One beautiful Rum called Takamaka Rum can be found on the island of Mahé at the Trois Frères Distillery.

In Bulgaria, for example, Rakia is an unofficial national drink. Like Ouzo in Greece, there are a lot of rituals entwined with Rakia. It is a kind of brandy that can be distilled from any type of fruit and often made at home. If someone invites you to their home, you can be sure you will be offered a glass of their favorite homemade Rakia.

One of my favorite memories is of sipping on Rakia, was in Bankso, a mountain resort in at the foothills of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Pirin National Park. It was at a small restaurant halfway up a mountain, serving home-cooked meals with locally sourced ingredients in a room resembling grandma’s living room. It is not fancy and not a place if Modern décor is your thing. However, the food was unbelievably tasty.

Another of my favorite spirits destinations is Northern Spain also known as Green Spain. It spans from West Galicia through Asturias all the way to the Basque Country. The Principality of Asturias sits south of the Cantabrian Sea. Its climate is said to be the best environment for apple trees to grow. This is where some of the best apple ciders in the world can be found. To properly taste a Sidra, cider in Spanish, it should be “Thrown” a tradition of pouring it from high height to release its aromas and flavors. A guided tour to a traditional Cider mill such as Trabanco, is a perfect way to observe the production, pressing and tasting of the spirit straight from the gigantic barrels.

Wherever you go, I can cue you into the local drinks, and either with a guide or on your own, arrange for you to go to the source for a tasting and tour or for a social experience at a traditional dining and drinking spot. Either way, you will have fun connecting with the local spirit and spirits. Cheers!