Review: Gran Sierpe Pisco Quebranta Grapes
Distilled in Chile and Peru — where the definition of what is “real” pisco remains a national preoccupation on both sides — pisco is grape brandy that, unlike French brandies, is unaged (or aged very little), and generally used in cocktails.
Gran Sierpe is Peruvian pisco, and the company makes three varieties, using three different grapes or grape blends.
We got a look at Gran Sierpe’s Quebranta Grape Pisco, which is made with quebranta grapes — probably the only time you’ll ever consume anything made with them.
Quebranta grapes are mild and non-aromatic, and this pisco is also on the easygoing side. The nose is mild and charcoalish, the body reminiscent of a lighter style of grappa or, even more intriguingly, cachaca. It’s smooth, with only a minimal, rubber-like finish. I’d be curious to try this pisco as a substitute in a caipirinha, just to see what happened. It’s not really designed for drinking straight, but it isn’t bad served this way.
By the way, if anyone can clue us in on what the object on the label is supposed to be, we’re all ears. By common consensus here it is believed to be a Transformer head. (Update: Got it, thanks.)
84 proof.
B+ / $39
Gran Sierpe Pisco Quebranta Grapes
$39
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It’s a snake’s head. Sierpe means serpent.
I tried this once and did not like it much. You are right about that rubbery taste and that charcoal back, maybe some people like that but I don’t. I have had other quebrantas that taste better than this “premium” 4o dollar bottle of pisco. Barsol tastes better, Macchu Pisco tastes even way better and both of those other brands I believe are half the price.
Also, it has been defined the origins of Pisco making are in Peru but Chileans also make it and enjoy it. The distillation and aging styles are significantly different. End of discussion, you can go on wikipedia, they have it straight now and there is plenty of literature out there that describes the issue and resolution.
The truth is that Pisco was originally conceived and made in a small coastal town a bit south of Lima called Pisco, hence the name of this delicios distilled drink, Pisco. Chileans have always created stories in order to make people and Pisco consumers think that Pisco is from that country but none of these stories hold true. Furthermore, the real Peruvian Pisco is purely distilled only using grape juice, whereas chileans add distilled water to their mediocre version of Pisco. Once you try both you would be able to tell the huge difference and you would only ask for the real Pervuvian Pisco.
where we can buy?
“Gran Sierpe” is Spanish for great serpent or great snake. The object on the label is a snake’s head, nose down. The small dark curved shapes on each side are the eyes. The diamond-shape patterning on the other side of the bottle is snakeskin. See it now?