The non-governmental organization Mezonte is focused on promoting, supporting, and preserving the tradition and heritage of Mexican agave spirits. Led my mastermind, curator, and expert of everything agave Pedro Jimenez, they collaborate with various producers, featuring spirits from all over Mexico, especially Jalisco and Michoacn. These producers provide mezcal, raicilla, barranca, tuxca, sikua, and any other agave-based distillates. Whenever they purchase a batch from a local producer, it never exceeds 60% of the batch, as they strive to keep the spirits thriving in the community as well. Mezonte Raicilla Japo is made by Hildegardo "Japo" Joya in Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. The Maestro Mezcalero has been producing the spirit for his whole life, meaning he has decades of experience under his belt. Everything is done the traditional way: The 12- to 25-year-old Amarillo agaves are harvested under the light of the full moon, they are cooked underground, hand-crushed with wooden mallets, and left to ferment in volcanic rock containers, before being distilled using a direct-fired copper still. Bottled at 94 proof, it's a beautiful Mexican spirit and a celebration of a rich distilling tradition.

Brand Introduction 

A mission-driven, social impact-driven company, Erstwhile is a boutique agave spirits importer based in Brooklyn, New York.  Our mission: advocate for small, independent, family-owned producers who lack representation outside their local communities in Mexico; and bring their craft to mezcal lovers in international markets for the first time. We work closely with our partner producers and set them up for success.  No haggling.  No exclusivity contracts.  We guide producers through the complicated steps to export in their own names for the first time and cover necessary expenses including local attorneys, accountants, license fees, and more.  We absorb our producers’ marketing and supply chain costs as our own.  We believe in autonomy for producers, be it hiring their own workers or using their own bottling facility. We only step in if they want our help. We connect with our partner producers to share knowledge and help each other in production. Revenue from every Erstwhile bottle sold creates jobs in our partner producers’ and vendors’ local communities in Mexico.  Our producers hire their own team of local men and women, on their own terms. Erstwhile is a woman-owned, women-led business.  Our team is multicultural and multilingual.  We are outspoken about elevating underrepresented voices in Mezcal and our industry. 

Erstwhile Henequen Mezcal

Must-have for any serious mezcal collector.  This is the first mezcal made from the Henequén agave that is available in the US market. This distillation, made from cultivated Henequén agave, is a small-batch limited edition of 397 liters (roughly 500 bottles) from the personal collection of the late master distiller Juan Hernández Méndez in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca.  Henequén, an agave plant native to the Yucatán Peninsula and valued for its fiber since pre-Hispanic times, once ruled and transformed the region’s economy to such an extent that it came to be known as “green gold”. It is not native to, and thus rarely seen in, Oaxaca and other mezcal-producing regions of Mexico.

Brand Introduction 

A mission-driven, social impact-driven company, Erstwhile is a boutique agave spirits importer based in Brooklyn, New York.  Our mission: advocate for small, independent, family-owned producers who lack representation outside their local communities in Mexico; and bring their craft to mezcal lovers in international markets for the first time. We work closely with our partner producers and set them up for success.  No haggling.  No exclusivity contracts.  We guide producers through the complicated steps to export in their own names for the first time and cover necessary expenses including local attorneys, accountants, license fees, and more.  We absorb our producers’ marketing and supply chain costs as our own.  We believe in autonomy for producers, be it hiring their own workers or using their own bottling facility. We only step in if they want our help. We connect with our partner producers to share knowledge and help each other in production. Revenue from every Erstwhile bottle sold creates jobs in our partner producers’ and vendors’ local communities in Mexico.  Our producers hire their own team of local men and women, on their own terms. Erstwhile is a woman-owned, women-led business.  Our team is multicultural and multilingual.  We are outspoken about elevating underrepresented voices in Mezcal and our industry. 

Erstwhile Cuishe Mezcal

A herbal, easy drinking mezcal from the Agave karwinskii family.  Lovely nutty, earthy nose.  On the palate, this mezcal has a bit of kick to it with notes of jalapeño pepper and spices.  Banana and chipotle follow through with a hint of cinnamon sticks, clove, and bitter melon.

Brand Introduction 

A mission-driven, social impact-driven company, Erstwhile is a boutique agave spirits importer based in Brooklyn, New York.  Our mission: advocate for small, independent, family-owned producers who lack representation outside their local communities in Mexico; and bring their craft to mezcal lovers in international markets for the first time. We work closely with our partner producers and set them up for success.  No haggling.  No exclusivity contracts.  We guide producers through the complicated steps to export in their own names for the first time and cover necessary expenses including local attorneys, accountants, license fees, and more.  We absorb our producers’ marketing and supply chain costs as our own.  We believe in autonomy for producers, be it hiring their own workers or using their own bottling facility. We only step in if they want our help. We connect with our partner producers to share knowledge and help each other in production. Revenue from every Erstwhile bottle sold creates jobs in our partner producers’ and vendors’ local communities in Mexico.  Our producers hire their own team of local men and women, on their own terms. Erstwhile is a woman-owned, women-led business.  Our team is multicultural and multilingual.  We are outspoken about elevating underrepresented voices in Mezcal and our industry. 

Tepeztate-Tobalá Ensamble (2018 Limited Edition)

A true blend of 50% Tepeztate and 50% Tobalá, two agaves that are dramatically different in personality.  This Tepeztate-Tobalá Ensamble is Tepeztate forward, meaning you will likely taste the green, vegetal, and pear notes of the Tepeztate first, before it expands into the Tobalá’s sweeter fruit notes and rounder body.  A verdant, precise and clean combination of grass and rainwashed limestone on the nose. Pear, green pepper, peppercorn, and minerals on the tongue. Tempered by the smooth caramel notes and hint of smoke from the Tobalá.

Brand Introduction 

A mission-driven, social impact-driven company, Erstwhile is a boutique agave spirits importer based in Brooklyn, New York.  Our mission: advocate for small, independent, family-owned producers who lack representation outside their local communities in Mexico; and bring their craft to mezcal lovers in international markets for the first time. We work closely with our partner producers and set them up for success.  No haggling.  No exclusivity contracts.  We guide producers through the complicated steps to export in their own names for the first time and cover necessary expenses including local attorneys, accountants, license fees, and more.  We absorb our producers’ marketing and supply chain costs as our own.  We believe in autonomy for producers, be it hiring their own workers or using their own bottling facility. We only step in if they want our help. We connect with our partner producers to share knowledge and help each other in production. Revenue from every Erstwhile bottle sold creates jobs in our partner producers’ and vendors’ local communities in Mexico.  Our producers hire their own team of local men and women, on their own terms. Erstwhile is a woman-owned, women-led business.  Our team is multicultural and multilingual.  We are outspoken about elevating underrepresented voices in Mezcal and our industry. 

Erstwhile Tobala Mezcal

Tropical fruit notes, with a round mouthfeel.  Banana, cooked maguey, and adobo on the nose. Quince and vanilla on the tongue, with the lingering lovely round sweetness of caramel. The slightest hint of spiciness and hot smoke.  This mezcal always makes us think of dessert and would make a fabulous after-dinner digestif with dessert or on its own. Banana foster, creme brûlée, banana pudding … The possibilities are endless.

One of the most revered of all agave species due to its scarcity and relatively small physical size, Tobalá agave has a growing period of up to 30 years. Banhez Tobalá is known for its intense aromatics and smooth flavor profile with tasting notes consisting of green mango, leather, and fresh green herbs. 

AGAVE: POTATORUM

MAESTRO: GONZALO HERNANDEZ BIGOTES, LUIS PACHECO

ORIGEN: LA COMPAÑIA

ELEVACIÓN: 4,865 FT/1483 M

FERMENTACIÓN: LEVADURA NATURAL, 5-6 DIAS

DESTILACIÓN: COBRE

OUR MEZCAL IS HANDCRAFTED, DISTILLED ON OUR NAMESAKE FARM, BOTTLED BY WOMEN, WITH A RECIPE PASSED DOWN FROM YOLA’S GRANDFATHER.

 IN 1971, LUIS JIMENEZ PURCHASED A MEZCAL FARM IN SAN JUAN DEL RIO, OAXACA. 

TODAY, WE STILL HONOR HIS ORIGINAL RECIPE, ABIDING BY THE 300-YEAR-OLD METHOD OF TRADITIONAL MEZCAL MAKING.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE OF THE WOMEN IN OAXACA.

Mezcal: Rey Campero

This mezcal is 100% espadn matured 6 - 7 years before harvest, fermented in open air with wild yeasts.

Size: 750mL

Proof: 96 (48% ABV)

Origin: United States

Distillery: Sanchez Distillery

Detailed Description

Mezcal Rey Campero translates to "King of the Countryside" - a reference to the wild plants cultivated to make the distillates. This mezcal is 100% espadn matured 6 - 7 years before harvest, fermented in open air with wild yeasts and double-distilled in copper stills.

Rey Campero Mezcal Tasting Notes

Nose: Aromas of lily of the valley, grapefruit rind and green pepper greeting the nose.

Palate: Light and fruity, with pineapple, ripe grapefruit, lime and vanilla.

Finish: Floral flavors and hot chili spice play off each other to add a subtle accent to the finish with just a hint of charcoal smoke.

Distillery Information

Destiladora Snchez represents the culture, tradition and art of Candelaria Yegol, a small town in the Southern Highlands, with a fertile land for more than ten species of agaves that are born wild on their slopes and canyons.