THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND
6-8PM PST 

Aqará de los Andes is a high-altitude agave project founded in 2019 near Caraz in northern Peru by Marco Suarez Lara. Drawing inspiration from the region’s long relationship with wild agave—grown under intense sun, cold nights, and fed by glacial water—Aqará was never intended to replicate tequila or mezcal. Instead, it highlights local plants, traditional techniques, and the singular terroir of the Andes in Peru.

Both expressions we have at Stanley’s,Refugio and Rito, are made from the same base: an ensamble of two wild agave varieties harvested at roughly 10 years of age. The agaves are cooked slowly in ancient clay ovens fueled by eucalyptus wood, a method that brings out savory depth and gentle smoke while preserving freshness.

For Refugio, fermentation is intentionally halted through pasteurization, keeping the spirit alcohol-free while maintaining true agave character. The agave juice is then distilled with rocoto and locoto peppers, lending aromatic lift, subtle heat, and structure. Rito follows the full traditional path—fermented with indigenous yeast and double-distilled—resulting in a clean yet expressive agave spirit that mirrors Refugio’s profile through an alcoholic lens.

Join us on Thursday January 22nd from 6-8pm for this free tasting, and come taste both expressions—whether you’re doing Dry January or simply curious to explore a new side of agave!