Leonista Agave Spirit - CNN Inside Africa

Tequila made in South Africa? Almost, but not quite. But this female Home Distiller has taken her dream to the International Market.
Featured this past weekend on CNN - Inside Africa was Leonsita Agave Spirit - South Africa's most award winning Agave Spirit, developed by Brand Owner Sarah Kennan, and produced under contract in Ventersdorp by Schoonspruit Distillery.
One of the largest Craft Distilleries in South Africa, if not THE largest, in terms of volume and capacity, Schoonspruit took up the unique challenge to produce this intricate (and difficult) Spirit Product.
It neccessitated the construction of special ovens, a lot of improvisation and innovation to extract the Agave Syrup from the product, and a lot of experimentation on the fermentation and distillation process in order to get the best possible product out.
And it has worked for them. The product has been Internationally recognized and awarded for what it is - a true Agave Spirit.
Just don't expect it to taste like your weekend Tequila Shot, because unfortunately we South Africans generally have no idea what a true Tequila or Mezcal should taste like.
Prepare yourself for the heavy, smoky flavor profile traditional to a proper Agave Spirit made from Oven Roasted Agave.
So, congratulations to Sarah, whose vision and entrepreneurial spirit has built Leonista up to the success it now is. And equally, congratulations to Ernst, JW and the rest of the team at Schoonspruit for turning this challenge into such a success.