FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS PISCO?

Pisco is a grape distillate with Denomination of Origin (D.O) produced in Peru. It can be elaborated from a total of 8 different grape varieties. A pisco can either be “Puro”, which means distilled from a single grape variety, or “Acholado”, which means elaborated from 2 or more grape varieties. Pisco alcohol strength ranges from 38% to 42%. It is completely transparent as it is rested after distillation, not aged. It’s one of the purest distillates as it contains no water nor sugar! 

WHAT INGREDIENTS IS PISCO MADE OF?

It’s very simple. 100% from grapes. That’s it. No sugar. No water. No sulfites. 

WHICH TYPES OF GRAPES CAN BE USED TO ELABORATE PISCO?

Pisco can be elaborated from eight types of grapes, classified as either “aromatic” grapes or “non-aromatic” grapes. The aromatic grapes have richer and full tastes with very pronounced aromas. They include the following varieties: 1) Italia, 2) Torontel, 3) Moscatel, and 4) Uvina.

IS PISCO FROM PERU OR CHILE?

That’s a long debate. We prefer to stay out of it. But as far as we are concerned, we care about producing a liquor that is hand-crafted and working with master distillers whose knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation.

Pisco from Peru cannot be aged nor can it be cut with water. It is distilled to proof. Furthermore, it is classified by type of grape, unlike Chilean pisco which is classified according to alcohol strength.

Unlike its Chilean counterpart, pisco produced in Peru cannot be aged. Rather, it is rested for a minimum period of 3 months. 

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DRINK ROMPE MAR?

Rompe Mar Pisco is a very versatile distillate and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Pure, on Ice, Shaken, or in a cocktail … Whatever floats your boat, Rompe Mar Pisco will certainly be the added sparkle you didn’t know you needed in your life! Rompe Mar cocktail options range from pisco classic cocktails to our own creations. Pisco classics include the Pisco Sour, the Chilcano, the Capitán, and the Pisco Punch. 

WHO INVENTED THE PISCO SOUR?

Pisco Sour was invented by a man going by the name of Victor Morris. Here’s the little story: In 1904, Cerro de Pasco was a small ore-mining town perched up the Peruvian Andes. For the inauguration of its first railway, Victor Morris, an American engineer who had supervised its construction, was commissioned to set up the whiskey sours for the 5,000 guests attending (the finest dignitaries from around the country & beyond). But he couldn’t get enough whiskey delivered to the remote location. Luckily, there was an abundance of pisco in town, which the clever man substituted for the whiskey. 

I OBSERVE TINY BLUE PARTICLES IN THE PISCO, IS IT NORMAL?

At the heart of our distillation process lies our 400 litre copper still, a classic piece of equipment revered for its superior heat conductivity and catalytic ability to enhance the purification of our pisco. Copper plays a pivotal role in removing sulfur compounds and other impurities, ensuring a smooth and refined end product. However, it’s this intimate interaction between the copper and the distillate that leads to one of the most intriguing aspects of our pisco: the presence of copper deposits .

During distillation, the copper still reacts with certain “fat bodies’ naturally contained within the pisco, and the spirit is subtly infused with a trace amount of copper. This is a normal consequence of our traditional distillation methods. With drops in temperature, these copper particles can become more visible, precipitating towards the bottom of the bottle. 

The levels of copper that migrate into the spirit are miniscule and well within the safety standards for consumption. Similar to how trace minerals in water can contribute ton flavour and health benefits, the copper in our pisco is part of its unique character, without compromising the safety or quality of the product. 

We have run analysis with laboratories across three different countries to ensure the levels of copper which are found in our pisco do not bear any prejudice to our consumer’s safety. Should you wish to examine such results, you may solicit them by sending us an email at guillaume@rompemar.com

DOES ROMPE MAR CONTAIN SULFITES?

Rompe Mar does not contain sulfites. This doesn’t mean you won’t be guaranteed to avoid a hangover, but it will sure help to reduce the likelihood it happens.

ARE YOU HIRING?

We are often seeking fun would-be pisco ambassadors who want to join our ranks. Send us your CV if you are interested to join. We promise to at least answer your email.

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT THE PRODUCTION PROCESS?

It took us 3 years to develop the perfect pisco blend. And for each batch, we take care of a few, crucial details. 

Pisco is 100% produced from grapes. This means that, for us, we take our grapes, very, very seriously. We only source grapes from local producers that our distillery has worked with for generations. This ensures two things: 1) We know the quality and 2) The path from the vineyard to the distillery is kept as short as possible. We pick our grapes in the early hours of the morning, when temperatures are still cool. 

We add an extra step to our production process: Maceration. Although this step is not strictly necessary and not all producers do it, it ensures a richer flavour, thanks to the grape marks transmitting rich nutrients to the must that then goes to the fermentation phase. 

Strict temperature control during fermentation ensures we obtain the best quality of must (the liquid we obtain prior to the distillation) after the fermentation phase

We distill through a small-batch copper still. Distillation in small batches ensures that the liquid distilled is more homogeneous and smooth. 

Our pisco is rested in an adequate mid-sun, mid-shade setting, with cool natural ventilation to ensure appropriate temperature control.

WHAT'S SO UNIQUE ABOUT THE TERROIR?

The Italia grapes are sourced from vineyards located less than 10 kmfrom the Pacific Ocean. The Humboldt Current brings a saline freshness and slow maturation to our grapes, enhancing the balance and expressiveness of our pisco.

The Quebranta grapes are cultivated in Lunahuaná, one of the three valleys in the world that possesses and cultivates all eight varieties of pisco. Perched at 800 meters in the Andes, this valley benefits from a thermal amplitude that enhances aromas and tannins.

The rocky and alluvial soil imparts a pronounced mineral profile to the vineyards irrigated with nutrient-rich glacier water. The omnipresent sun adds character to the grapes, distinguished by their thick skins and intense colours. These aromas and flavours are then preserved in our pisco.