Bacanora and Sotol: So Far, So Close.

The aim of this paper is to familiarize the reader with two alcoholic spirits deeply rooted in the rural culture of northern Mexico, as well as Agave angustifolia, known as "agave (or mescal) bacanora" in Sonora; and a group of species in the genus Dasylirion, known in Mexico as "sotols", and as "desert spoon" in the USA. Both share multiple morphological, physiological and ecological traits, which allow them to thrive in their arid environs. It also points out aspects unique to the two designations of origin that protect the elaboration of these distilled spirits, both formulated near the beginning of this century, as well as the sets of regulations specifying the standards for processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]