There’s not a drink more Peruvian than a Pisco Sour. Where better to learn about -- and taste! -- Pisco than the Museo del Pisco? I initially thought that Museo del Pisco was an actual museum recounting the history of Pisco in Peru, but instead, it’s one of the coolest bars in Cusco. The walls are adorned with photos outlining the Pisco making process, while adept bartenders sling drinks using infused Piscos. You have your choice of dozens of infusions, plus you can opt to do the Pisco tasting to get a better handle on what makes a good Pisco. The tasting (40 nuevo soles per person) was much like a wine tasting that you would experience in Northern California. Four Piscos (grape brandy) are delicately poured with their bottles on display. As you sniff, sip and taste each, the bartender gives you the run down on how each is made, where the grapes are from and what you should expect to taste. I much prefer a Pisco Sour to straight Pisco, but it was an enlightening learning experience nonetheless. A must when in Cusco.
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Pisco tasting in Cusco
There’s not a drink more Peruvian than a Pisco Sour. Where better to learn about -- and taste! -- Pisco than the Museo del Pisco? I initially thought that Museo del Pisco was an actual museum recounting the history of Pisco in Peru, but instead, it’s one of the coolest bars in Cusco. The walls are adorned with photos outlining the Pisco making process, while adept bartenders sling drinks using infused Piscos. You have your choice of dozens of infusions, plus you can opt to do the Pisco tasting to get a better handle on what makes a good Pisco. The tasting (40 nuevo soles per person) was much like a wine tasting that you would experience in Northern California. Four Piscos (grape brandy) are delicately poured with their bottles on display. As you sniff, sip and taste each, the bartender gives you the run down on how each is made, where the grapes are from and what you should expect to taste. I much prefer a Pisco Sour to straight Pisco, but it was an enlightening learning experience nonetheless. A must when in Cusco.
Pisco Heaven
I’ve never seen so many varieties of pisco in my life. Bottles of the Peruvian liquor line the wall behind the bar, while colorful murals detailing the history of pisco cover the remaining walls. El Museo del Pisco is the perfect place to taste your way through a plethora of piscos, but the real fun is in the house-infused pisco selection. Flavors range from the familiar, like strawberry or fig, to Peruvian-specific flavors like coca leaves or muña (an Andean mint). Try one (or many) on its own, or in a pisco sour. To fill out the atmosphere, stop by in the evenings for live music - the perfect accompaniment to a glass of pisco.
