The art of making tequila and mezcal is something that goes back generations. Tequileros and tequileras oftentimes come from families who have had their hands mixed in with the soil, plants, and process. The result? Something that is powerful, vibrant, and pays homage to a tradition that is as old as time.
The below eight tequila and mezcal brands each take meticulous care to create a beverage that is indicative of the timeless knowledge they’ve acquired from their ancestors while also paying their respects to the land that bears such beautiful fruits.
LALO
Born from a longtime passion and love for the honored tradition of tequila making, childhood friends Eduardo “Lalo” González and David “R” Carballido teamed up to create a spirit reminiscent of their pride in their heritage. LALO Tequila is made in Mexico con un amor tan puro como su tequila blanco.
Zomoz
Proudly owned and made by mexicanos, Zomoz honors, respects, and upholds the vibrant traditions of Oaxaca and Mezcal. Hecho con amor and reverence to an artisanal process passed down from generation to generation, Zomoz brings the oomph and nuanced character everyone seeks in a sip of mezcal.
Kilinga Bacanora
Rodrigo Bojorquez Bours established this family-owned distiller in 2018 in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. Meticulously made, Kilinga Bacanora captures the allure of the Sonoran desert that inspired it — it’s mysterious, playful, and unforgettable.
Casa Lumbre
While Casa Lumbre was born in Mexico, its goal is to bring the vibrancy of Mexico’s spirit culture to a global audience. As a parent company, it wants to curate a portfolio that follows the “farm-to-bottle” philosophy.
So, what brands fall under their umbrella? Abasolo Whisky made with 100% Cacahuazintle corn, Nixta Licor de Elote, Las Californias Gin, Contraluz Mezcal Cristalino, which has Maluma as its global ambassador, and Almave, co-founded by Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.
Casa Del Sol
Co-founded by Eva Longoria and led by two boss tequileras, Casa Del Sol is grown in the Altos de Jalisco in Mexico — something that adds to the flavor complexity. Whereas many other brands use whiskey barrels, Casa Del Sol is aged in Cognac barrels made from French Limousin Oak.
In addition to its one-of-a-kind process, the brand is also committed to providing growth opportunities to those who help make it. They offer healthcare to their production workers as well as looking to “level the playing field for women in the Altos de Jalisco region.”
Manojo Mezcal
This artisanal mezcal was created by famed chef and Manojo imagineer Enrique Olvera and a group of friends after a frutiful and “unplanned” trip to Oaxaca.
While there, they came across two seasoned mezcaleros deep in the mountains who revered the sourcing and production of the product.
Manojo, which means “a bunch,” is a mezcal that pays tribute to the vibrancy of Oaxaca and it’s people.
Don Fulano
Time, dedication, and mucho amor are poured into every bottle of Don Fulano tequila, whose story begins in the town of Atotonilco in the Jalisco Highlands. The Fonseca family has been cultivating the agave for over 140 years and five generations.
Mezcal Amarás
Voted Best Mezcal in the world in 2021 by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Mezcal Amarás is a love letter to the Earth. From 2011 to 2021, the brand allocated funds to several different initiatives such as reforestation, wild agave rescue, and the replanting of over 300,000 agave plants.
