el ladrón yolo

grown in yolo county, ca

The first California agave spirit released using traditional pit roasting techniques. 
Yolo is also one of the first agave spirits that has been distilled in CA using only CA grown agave. 

the story

Venus Spirits collaborated with Craig Reynolds of California Agave Ventures and Muller Ranch to harvest 6000 pounds of agave from the farm located in Yolo County, CA. Sean Venus is looking to the future of California agave, and says “we are very excited to partner up with Craig Reynolds of California Agave Ventures and Muller ranch. There is a growing movement to plant agave in California, which offers a unique opportunity for farmers to transition to drought resistant agriculture”. After harvesting the six and seven year old plants, the piñas were pit roasted over almond wood in traditional earthen hornos for seven days. The Venus team unearthed the roasted piñas and transported them from Yolo County to the Venus Spirits distillery in Santa Cruz where they were processed and the juice was extracted. After a ten-day fermentation with house agave yeast, El Ladrón Yolo was double distilled in a hand pounded copper alembic still and allowed to rest in stainless steel drums for six months before bottling.

photo by Jacob Boynton

el ladrón yolo

New release made entirely from agave grown in Yolo County California, fermented and distilled in Santa Cruz, CA.
The first California agave spirit to be released that has been made using traditional pit roasting techniques. 

Tasting Notes

  • Nose: sweet, pineapple, passionfruit

  • Palate: subtle smoke, juicy

  • Finish: cinnamon, black pepper

process

  • Cook method: Pit roasted over almond wood

  • Cook Days: June 3, 2021 - June 11, 2021

  • Fermentation: 10 days with house agave yeast

  • Distillation: Double distilled 

  • Aging: Neutral aging for 6 months

  • Proof: 84 proof, 42% ABV

awards & recognition

 

VENUS SPIRITS

gin – aquavit– vodka

Botanicals made of beauty: We take the freshest herbs, botanicals, and fruits and infuse neutral spirits made from grain. Each unique botanical blend is marked on the bottle and given a specific blend number.

Venus Spirits Gin Blend No. 01

Gin Blend No. 01

Blend No. 01 is a delicate balance of 10 different fruits, herbs, and botanicals. The fresh juniper flavor is enhanced with hints of lemon, ginger, and lavender. This gin is great on its own or mixed into your favorite gin cocktail.

 

Tasting Notes

  • Nose: fresh citrus & lavender

  • Palate: sweet, spicy & creamy

  • Finish: juniper, lemon, ginger & lavender

 

awards & recognition

 
Venus Spirits Gin Blend No. 02

GIN BLEND NO. 02

We took a different approach with our Blend No. 02 in both flavor and appearance. The botanical blend for this gin was specifically chosen to pair with American oak, allowing the herbal character to be enhanced by the wood when rested in American oak casks.

 

TASTING NOTES

  • Color: light amber

  • Nose: orange & bay

  • Palate: sweet

  • Finish: juniper, cinnamon, vanilla, sage, oak & fennel

 

awards & recognition

 
Venus Spirits Aquavit No. 01

Aquavit

/äkwə, vēt/ This bold spirit gains its name from the Latin phrase aqua vitae, “water of life.” Our interpretation of the traditional Scandinavian spirit highlights the essence of the caraway seed while balancing the spirit with notes of juniper, coriander, orange & anise. Enjoy as a digestif or to enhance your favorite cocktail.

 

TASTING NOTES

  • Nose: citrus & caraway

  • Palate: sweet & smooth

  • Finish: star anise

 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

 
 
 

EL LADRÓN

agave spirit – rum

A maker of spirits in the ocean air. A diligent process of fermentation. One Alembic still. Double distillation. Integrity. Time. Maturity. The risks of the unknown. The rewards of promise.

El Ladrón means “the thief”. We have secured the best weber agave and have used modern techniques to create a world-class spirit here in Santa Cruz, CA.

 
El Ladrón Blanco Blue Agave Spirit

EL LADRÓN BLANCO

Our El Ladrón Blanco is double distilled in a hand pounded copper alembic still and allowed to rest in stainless steel drums, resulting in a clear spirit rich in agave flavor. 

 

tasting notes

  • Nose: tropical fruit

  • Palate: rich agave, sweet & full body

  • Finish: salty

 

awards & recognition

 
El Ladrón Reposado Blue Agave Spirit

EL LADRÓN REPOSADO

Aged agave spirit rests in used Wayward Whiskey barrels and leaves the barrel light amber in color with subtle sweet notes of caramel and oak

TASTING NOTES

  • Nose: rich agave

  • Palate: caramel, spice & hint of smoke

  • Finish: oak

 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

 
El Ladrón Añejo Blue Agave Spirit

EL LADRÓN AÑEJO

Once the agave has been double distilled, it is put into new American oak to age for a minimum of twelve months

 

TASTING NOTES

  • Nose: apple

  • Palate: caramel, fruit & pepper

  • Finish: vanilla

 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

 
 
 

WAYWARD WHISKEY

BOURBON – RYE – SINGLE MALT

Wayward Whiskey is bold and unruly. These aggressively aged whiskies are surprisingly smooth and flavorful. Crafted by hand in our 10 bbl brewhouse, double distilled and then barrel aged in our ocean air tempered rickhouse in 53 gallon American charred oak barrels.

 
Wayward Whiskey Bourbon

BOURBON

In 1789 bourbon whiskey was born on the western edge of the United States. Today Wayward Whiskey takes a bit of that tradition farther west to the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. This unruly spirit has forged its own path to become a truly bold American whiskey.

 

DISTILLATION NOTES

  • 92 Proof

  • 10 BBL wash

  • Mash bill: corn 88%, rye, malted barley

  • Still Type: alembic

  • Distillation: double distillation

 

tasting NOTES

  • Color: deep amber

  • Nose: caramel

  • Palate: caramel, corn, grain

  • Finish: sweet, cherry wood

 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

 

 
Wayward Whiskey Rye

RYE

Once regarded as the American Spirit, rye whiskey nearly disappeared after prohibition. Wayward Whiskey revels in its resurrection, creating a rye that is defiant in both flavor and spirit. 

 

DISTILLATION NOTES

  • 92 Proof

  • 10 BBL wash

  • Mash bill: rye 88%, corn, barley

  • Still Type: alembic

  • Distillation: double distillation

 

TASTING NOTES

  • Color: deep amber

  • Nose: sweet, spicy fruit

  • Palate: sweet, raisins

  • Finish: lingering spice

 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

 

 
Wayward Whiskey Single Malt

SINGLE MALT

Once hidden in port and sherry casks, malt whisky’s concealment led to a deeper and more flavorful spirit. Wayward Whiskey disobeys this Scottish tradition by aging our single malt in new charred American oak casks. Pacific Ocean air matures this spirit to unruly perfection.

 

DISTILLATION NOTES

  • 92 Proof

  • 10 BBL wash

  • Mash bill: 2-row, crystal malt

  • Still Type: alembic

  • Distillation: double distillation

 

tasting notes

  • Color: deep amber

  • Nose: malty, roasted & chocolate

  • Palate: semi-sweet, full body

  • Finish: cinnamon, chocolate, hazelnut & grain

 

awards & recognition