Pisco Name

In the XVI Century Fray Reginaldo de Lizarraga defines Pisco as: "famous grape spirit called Pisco due to the earthen container, the place where is fabricated (town of Pisco) or due to the harbour of Pisco from where the liquor was exported.And Fracisco Lopez de Caravantes, in 1630:  This spirit Pisco is fabricated from the small grape, is one of the most exquisite liquors in the world.  

The British Encyclopedia, Volume 17, Ed.1962, defines Pisco as: A tasty spirit "Moscato" that has been fabricated since the XVI Century from the must of grapes produced in the valleys of Ica, in Peru, 180 miles south of Lima. It is named after the port of Pisco, near the Ica river from where it was originally exported in earthen containers to Lima, Capital of the Virreynato and the rest of Hispanic South America.

The distilling was known by the highly developed Inca Civilization, probably before the IX Century, but the distilling of Pisco didn't exist until the arrival of the Spaniards who introduced Moscatel grapevines from Spain.

The Pisco is distillated using fresh must of the grapes, it has the fragrance and taste of the Moscatel grape.  The Pisco for exportation usually is many years old and the one made for domestic consume rarely is older than 2 years.  It is bottled at 80º alcohol.

The Moscato spirits made in Chile and Argentina which are called pisco for their domestic consume are not as fine as the original Peruvian Pisco.  The Pisco is drunk pure like brandy but the national drink in Peru is called Pisco Sour, made of lemon juice, sugar and Pisco.

Since the beginning of the Colony, in the coast of Peru there is a valley, a river, a harbour and a city called Pisco.  The relation of Pisco with the Peruvian geography and names is indisputable.

The Pisco, traditional and national product offers the world its grate quality.

It is named after the port of Pisco, near the Ica river from where it was originally exported in earthen containers to Lima, Capital of the Virreynato and the rest of Hispanic South America.

Pisco is a Quechua word which means "bird" and is written by the chroniclers and monks that arrived with the first conquers.  Cieza de Leon wrote in "Cronica General del Peru in 1550:  "Pisco is the name of birds".  Likewise, it is important to let know that the word Pisco is also used to name various towns and villages as: Piscohuasi (house of birds)  in Ancash, Piscotuna (fruits of birds) in Ayacucho, Piscopampa (plain of birds) in Arequipa, Piscobamba (field of birds) in Apurimac, among others.

We also find the word Pisco in typical  Peruvian last names as Pisconte, Piscoya, etc.

The word Pisco and its original denomination is exclusively given to the Piscos produced in Peru.  The grape spirits from other countries that use the name Pisco usurp the name of the genuine Peruvian product.  Their quality is mediocre, degrading the word Pisco.  This only causes confusion among the consumers.