US-based Spearhead Spirits, an African producer, has introduced Sango, a spirit crafted from locally grown agave, to the market.
There are two varieties of Sango Agave: a Blanco and a Reposado, the latter of which is aged for 120 days in oak barrels that are native to South Africa.
It is referred to as a “Mexican agave mythology-inspired African take on Tequila.” The African god of thunder and lightning, Shango, is the source of the name Sango.
African Agave Americana from the Karoo desert and Salmiana agave from the Eastern Cape area of South Africa are used to make the alcohol.
Before being manually harvested, agave plants with a brix of between 24 and 35 are chosen by field testing. After that, the agave is roasted using fire pits and ovens using traditional techniques, and it is then doubly distilled.
Before being bottled, the spirit remains pure.
“The development of Sango has been 2.5 years in the making, and has by far been the most challenging spirit to bring to life yet,” stated Spearhead Spirits co-founder Damola Timeyin. To make an exceptional African agave spirit with the best available from the continent, we had to essentially start again.
We have travelled to various African nations to find the ideal agave growing regions. It takes a lot more effort and time to discover the right wild agave plants, but we have an innate belief that these plants are superior to polyculturally farmed agave, both for the environment and the palate.
Sango will now be supplied in the US states of New York, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Florida. Previously, it was only available in South Africa. You may buy it on ReserveBar as well.
The SRP of the blanco (40% ABV) is US$45, while the reposado (40% ABV) is US$55.
Spearhead introduced Bayab in February; it’s a gin made solely from African botanicals, infused with pineapple and palm flavours.
Chris Fredrick and Damola Timeyin co-founded the UK-based company in 2021 with the intention of bridging the global community with African-made spirits.
It has raised US$3 million in finance in July 2022 to further its goals of expanding globally and introducing new goods.
Frederick continued, “Just because it’s wild doesn’t mean that it’s perfect and it’s been a painstaking journey to identify the right process of field selecting and testing to give us agave with the flavour profile we’re after.” This is what Sango can offer the world.
Sango African agave will appeal to agave and cocktail enthusiasts who are curious about the untamed spirit of Africa and want to try a new twist on their favourite Tequila drinks. Its taste will be both familiar and unique.
Whisky and vodka are also produced by Spearhead Spirits.
