Meet The 2022 Brands
Founded in 2011 by a group of four friends who also run a entertainment company (restaurants / bars + cultural platforms) in Mexico City. A lifestyle company that looks at entertainment as a driver for cultural change and strong social responsibility.
Around 2004, Ilegal's founder John Rexer began bringing mezcal down from Oaxaca to Antigua to supply his bar, Café No Sé. The mezcal became popular very quickly. At the time, he was bringing down unbranded mezcal from a variety of villages in Oaxaca that included: Tlacolula, San Lorenzo, Sola De Vega, Santa Catarina Minas, Hierve el Agua, Santiago Matatlan and a few others.
In 2006, John created the brand Ilegal, originally just to supply his bar in Guatemala. On the back of each bottle of Ilegal you will find it says "Originally produced for: Café No Sé, Mezcal Bar."
The top-selling mezcal in the USA, Del Maguey was founded in 1995 with the aim of introducing the world to artisanal mezcal produced the traditional way. Each of Del Maguey’s single-village mezcals is made by individual family producers in remote villages in Oaxaca and Puebla using 400-year-old Zapotec methods. Part of Pernod Ricard since 2017, Del Maguey has a deep commitment to environmental and social responsibility and considers its award-winning pure mezcals liquid art.
At Mezcal Amarás we have one simple philosophy: to strive always toward a balanced relationship with our ecosystem. This is why we exist. It is why we produce our mezcal following a holistic cycle “From seed to sip”. The Amarás philosophy stems from a love for our roots, from caring consciously for the earth, for our environment, and for the people who make each drop of mezcal possible.
We believe firmly in a better world, and we pursue this vision by empowering our teams and embracing local communities, by supporting local agave farmers (agaveros) and Master Distillers (Maestros Mezcaleros), because we understand that these are the guardians of our roots, our traditions, and our mezcals. To preserve the past, we look to the future, advancing a sustainable business model today, with our eyes on tomorrow.
Mezcal Naro'ba is produced in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca under Master Distiller Rene Nolasco Velasco. It's produced using 100% espadín agave, the ubiquitous mezcal "cousin" to blue weber used in tequila. The joven is bottled fresh off the still unaged.
Made for the firebrand who likes options, our Espadín mixing mezcal is the perfect companion for cocktails or simply to sip on its own. Its sleek, black bottle and robust, deep flavor profile recalls earthly delights and hearty tastes, providing a subtle spice and pronounced finish unlike any other mezcal or spirit you’ve encountered in your travels.
Dos Hombres is a mezcal company co-founded by Breaking Bad co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston in 2019. The name Dos Hombres comes from the Spanish dos and hombres, thus "Two men." Cranston and Paul describe themselves as "two guys on a quest"—hence the name Dos Hombres.
Mezcal Tosba is a micro business founded by two cousins from San Cristóbal Lachirioag, Oaxaca, México. As migrants living in Silicon Valley, CA in 1999, they were inspired and influenced by the entrepreneurialism that surrounded them.
Mezcal Tosba is created by using traditional, and what is now called sustainable, agricultural methods of harvesting and distillation passed down by generations of farmers and mezcale-ros from the region of Cajonos-Villa Alta of the Sierra Juarez in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Powered by the belief that a positive, celebratory lifestyle elevates consciousness, GEM&BOLT Mezcal is uniquely distilled with damiana drawn from years of plant and elixir wisdom. Following the mantra: “Make art, share plant awareness, celebrate, repeat,” GEM & BOLT offers clean, heart-opening liquid spirit to all who sip.
The QUIÉREME ME MUCHO mezcal is a distillate obtained from the agave through a totally artisanal process, a sustainable project whose structure includes the participation of the community near the Guegorene farm, where our mezcal is produced. It dates back to the 18th century and is located in the municipality of San Pedro Taviche in the district of Ocotlán, right in the heart of the magueyera and mezcal zone of the central valleys of Oaxaca.

Mazot Baconora
Mazot Bacanora Uvalama made using maguey Pacifica (agave Angustifolia). Uvalama is a traditional flavoring of Bacanora, but it can be difficult to find. Uvalama is a wild tree fruit that is small, black, and grape-sized with a pit like an olive. It has a sweet/sour taste that adds a funky complimentary complexity to Bacanora. Uvalama also has medicinal properties as outlined in both folklore and science literature. It can reportedly serve as an anti-inflammatory, ant-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic. It’s no wonder Sonorans drink Bacanora for their health!

Batuq Baconora
Batuq Bacanora Blanco is produced with estate grown maguey Yaquiana (Pacifica, agave Angustifolia) that typically takes between 8-12 years to reach maturity. Rafael has been experimenting with planting agave on his ranches for over 20 years, achieving biological sustainability, and he is working with NGO’s on Bat Friendly plantings. There are only about 3,000 to 5,000 liters of this produced annually. While this is produced by Rafael Encinas Molina, Rafael Quijada is the Maestro Vinatero.
Gente de Mezcal was founded in 2014 by three lovers of mezcal and its culture. The group founded Gente de Mezcal to promote the culture and work of Maestro Mezcaleros and their communities.
Mezcal Campante is a small-batch, premium artisanal mezcal, made from a unique ensamble of agave in Oaxaca, resulting in a smooth spirit like no other.
Vinateros Bacanora was named in respect to both the spirit’s history, and the people who have been distilling it for more than 300 years. Made in the traditional manner, Vinateros Bacanora is twice distilled, naturally fermented, and made solely from water and agave silvestre. Because we value ethical production, you can find our product still being hand-bottled today and estate crafted on a small ranch outside of the town Aconchi, Sonora, Mexico
Redefining outdated expectations of Mezcal, Ojo de
Tigre is an incredibly smooth yet complex mezcal
made possible by leveraging artisanal practices and
two types of agave:
1. The well-established Espadín from Oaxaca
2. The rarer Tobalá from Puebla 100% handmade Artisanal Mezcal, produced with 100%
sustainably grown and cultivated agaves.
Proudly demonstrating that spirit lovers sacrifice
nothing to enjoy an authentically crafted experience
of the traditions and tastes of Mexico
Mezcal Bozal is a craft, artisan, handmade Mezcal. They celebrate the wild side of the Mezcal world and the wild agave used to produce such rich spirits. They use agave from the steep precarious hillsides of Oaxaca and Guerrero that are indigenous to the region. These varietals produce flavors that are exotically intense, with rich earth tones and savory smokiness. From the heart of the maguey these flavors are traditionally extracted to produce mezcal that is wildly refined.
Los Siete Misterios was born from the mission to preserve the passion, traditions, and culture embodied in Mezcal production. We, Eduardo and Julio Mestres, spent decades sampling Mezcal from villages across our native Mexico. Local Maestros Mezcaleros use methods passed down through generations to produce authentic, super-premium Mezcal. We partnered with these families and created our own distillery to collaborate and produce traditional Mezcal. Los Siete Misterios is a family created by us, the Maestros Mezcaleros, and the Oaxacan communities to share our dedication to Mezcal and the Mexican Spirit.
First, as a dream of the De Leon brothers, Dandeleón was born through the hard work and dedication of the De Leon family to create a mezcal that brings people together. Just like it did with them.
When Guillermo and Miguel De Leon journeyed into the world of mezcal they were amazed by the quality and tradition behind this enchanting Mexican spirit, it was, however, the element of the drive behind it that pushed them into creating Dandeleon.
Mezcal Dandeleón starts its journey where any good mezcal does, in the ground. It is a gift of time and the work and effort put by the expert hands of our maestros mezcaleros, who craft this precious spirit following the same artisan process of old, without any additives. Our mezcal is Joven, and we mainly focus on Espadín, but also produce Madrecuixe and Tobalá.
The Lost Explorer Mezcal is a handcrafted artisanal spirit made from 100% agave, cultivated in the sun-soaked Valles Centrales, Oaxaca in Mexico. It is a toast to empowering sustainable Mexican enterprise, whilst protecting the ancient artisanal craft, heritage, and biodiversity of Mexico. Harvested in harmony with the elements and in tune with the rhythm of nature, the three uniquely profiled expressions, Espadín, Tobalá, and Salmiana, seek to inspire people to celebrate the earth and live curiously, exploring the wonder and diversity of the sacred agave plant.
Tileño mezcal was born in 2014 with the hope of celebrating the history and tradition of the Zapotec people, which is rich in nuances and symbols that feature a community faithful to its culture.
Tileño is the name of the people from Zapotec community of San Martín Tilcajete, birthplace and home to our founder, José Ángeles Elias and his parents. 1 hour south of Oaxaca City, and named for the patron saint of the town San Martin Obispo y Tilcajete, it comes from Zapotec and means "place of dyes."
A leading, innovative and socially responsible company based out of its own mezcal-making estate. Five generations of entrepreneurial spirit forged with family values and a great love for the rich cultural heritage of Oaxaca, Mexico. Consistent quality & sustainability programs: animal-cruelty free, certified clean industry by Mexico’s ministry for environmental protection and kosher (not the agave worm), among other quality designations.
Our strict MÉTODO VERDE® PROGRAM (Spanish for green method) protects biodiversity from field to bottle. We obtain an increasing share of our energy from solar sources and our distilley has its own waste water treatment plant on the premises.
Exiliado is produced by Temo García, using traditional methods he learned from his father, a legendary maestro mezcalero. The palenque is located in San Dionisio Ocotepec, a small village in the Sierra Madre mountains in Oaxaca, that produces the world’s finest mezcal. The carefully selected agave hearts are wood fired over volcanic rock, stone ground, fermented in pine barrels, and distilled twice in copper. This expression is hand crafted from Agave angustifolia, sustainably cultivated, aged 7 years, 46% alc./vol. Lightly smoked and smooth, it is designed to be equally enjoyable when sipped or served in cocktails.
San Bartolo Mezcal was founded on four core values: tradition, quality, culture, and honesty. These core values serve as the foundation from which we make every decision, from our Mezcal production process to the people we work with.
Casa San Bartolo Distillery is driven by uncompromising quality and attention to detail in our ongoing effort to bring our customers the best agave spirit possible. Our core values and unbridled determination are at the heart of our culture and everything we do.
Our spirit is pure. No, really... Elenita celebrates artisanal mezcal from Oaxaca, made from 100% agave espadín. That means our base is top shelf, CRM certified for purity and taste.
We lift mezcal higher than it has ever been. We sparkle our libation perfectly to bring balance to our flavors and to prove that refreshment and smoke can go hand in hand. Each sip delights the senses and inspires curiosity. Elenita evokes a euphoric buzz, a stimulating rush and an intimate vibe.
Sacrificio Reposado is made with agave Espadin in Tlacolula, Oaxaca by distiller Manuel Benet and mezcalero Eric Hernandez. The agave is roasted using mesquite and ocote pine. It’s is naturally fermented and double-distilled. The first distillation is in steel and the second is in copper. Unlike the Joven, this mezcal is aged in untoasted brandy barrels for three months before bottling. It is 40% ABV.
100% Espadin agave. Handcrafted and artisanal Mezcal made from 10-year-old Espadin harvested in Oaxaca and in the northern state of Tamaulipas; where Espadin finds the best conditions to develop full flavor. Destilera Sacrificio was founded in 2011 by three entrepreneurs sharing love for Mezcal. Hand picking, two days in Mesquite wood-fired ovens under low and constant heat, double distilled (in steel and in copper), and oxygenation before bottling
A blend of Angustifolia and Karwinskii agaves. This perfect blend can be enjoyed neat or mixed. it is made with the finest angustifolia and karwinskii agaves that are personally selected by Don Apolonio Ramirez Cruz.
Don Apolonio Ramírez Cruz is the heir to 3 generations of Maestro Mezcalero’s coming out of the city of San Agustin Amatengo in Oaxaca, La Tierra Del Buen Mezcal. He continues to work on his land everyday with his Son and Grandson doing what he loves, making the best mezcal for the world to enjoy.
Gusto Historico
Gusto Histórico specializes in bringing unique destilados de agave y mezcales tradicionales to the market. The brand was started by one of the co-founders of famed Oaxacan mezcaleria Mezcaloteca, and the Gusto Histórico brand features many of the same producers, with a focus on preserving traditional production methods and practices.
Real Minero
Real Minero (previously Mezcal Real Minero) is considered by many to be one of the world’s finest mezcal producers. The Angeles family has been making mezcal for several generations in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca. Their mezcal is made in small clay pot stills, and almost all of it is rested in glass for several months before bottling, giving the mezcal a much softer character. Outside of creating great spirits, they also have one of the largest and most diverse sustainable agave reforestation programs. With the help of the community, they’ve been able to rescue several agave varieties that were previously thought to be extinct. The ABV of each batch may vary slightly, so check your bottle for details.
Chacolo
The Partida family, lead by Don Macario, has been making their iconic “mezcales” for 5 generations in Zapotitlan de Vadillo, Jalisco, however due to legalities they can neither call their product mezcal nor tequila. They are renowned among mezcaleros and mezcal aficionados for the amazing spirits that are meticulously made from the 15 different agave varietals that they have been collecting from their region for three generations. These varietals include 14 A. angustifolia sub varietals and 1 A. rhodacantha sub-varietal.
Sotoleros is a collection of traditional distillates from northern Mexico, which seeks to represent the tradition, art and culture of the region. Products from this brand began appearing on shelves in early 2021. Sotoleros has a connection with the legendary brand Clande Sotol – the colors on the bottle labels follow a similar pattern too. However, Soloteros is not a “rebrand” and the exact history between the two brands is unknown.
Uruapan Charanda is a D.O.-protected, single-estate sugarcane distillate produced by an historic farming family in Uruapan, Michoaćan. This core expression is made from a blend of 50% fresh-pressed sugarcane and 50% molasses, all estate-grown sugarcane grown at over 4,000 ft above sea level. The fresh cane juice is open-air fermented for eleven days while the molasses is closed-fermented for forty-eight hours. The cane is then distilled twice in a small wood-fired pot still and the molasses is distilled using a short, French-style column still. With a profile reminiscent of a cross between Agricole and Jamaican style rums, Uruapan Charanda Single Estate Blended Rum is full of mango and banana with an earthy, mineralic depth to balance the bright fruit and wispy smoke on the finish. 46% ABV.
Rey Campero represents the culture, tradition and art of Candelaria Yegolé, a small town in the Southern Highlands of Oaxaca, with a fertile ground on its slopes and canyons. It represents a people dedicated to the production of artisanal Mezcal, so one of its principles is to help producers of maguey, by creating job opportunities, but especially in finding markets for the best Mezcal. Rey Campero, means “King of the Countryside” and it was founded by the maestro mezcalero Romulo Sanchez Parada. Romulo learned how to make mezcal from his father, and he worked in the palenque until age 20. He lived and worked for several years in North Carolina while in his 20s before returning to Oaxaca in 2003. Each lot may vary slightly, so check your bottle for specific details about ABV.
Founded 17 years ago, we are a company 100 % Mexican from Oaxaca that produces MEZCAL FINO exclusively for: JOCERPA PRODUCTOS DE CALIDAD S.A.. DE C.V., Thanks to Mr. Pedro Mateo López (born in Oaxaca) effort, from Santiago, Matatlán, who learned the “mezcalero” occupation as a heritage from his grandparents and with a future scope, he created the best Mezcal in the world
A mezcal of high quality and fineness. Its aromatic expression evokes the spirit of the land and the nobility of the Maguey Espadin whose full maturity it reaches between 10 and 12 years. Expert hands mold and sculpt the processes handed between generations to obtain the elixir that today is conquering palates around the world.
Fruity, citrus, and herbal nuances wrapped in a light wood smoke accompany the purity of the alcohol, unctuous and velvety in the mouth with
elegant final memories of agave honey and flowers.
Flor de Pina was proudly awarded the Great Gold Medal at the National Mezcales Contest in 2021, a privilege that places it as one of the Best Mezcales in Mexico.
Identity and quality are the highlight elements in Mezcal Rompe Corazón. The story begins when three -amigos- gather and decide to enter the world of mezcal; all three have the same desire of creating a
premium product of the most high quality and with an authentic image. This is how the journey begins surrounded of aroma and flavors in Oaxaca. Along their route, they finally found a 5th generation mezcal producer who gave as a result Rompe Corazón, the best Mezcal of Mexico.
Meet the brands participating in Mezcal Lauderdale - a 3-day celebration of Mezcal
with related website and social media links for your discovery.
Want to participate?
Mezcal Brands interested in participating please email events@uniteusgroup.com