The distilleries of Oaxaca – we go to Del Maguey

San Luis - del maguey

In our June issue, publisher Dave Spanton took a trip through Oaxaca as part of his agave spirit tour with the incomparable Phil Bayly and Tomas Estes. Oaxaca obviously is all about the mezcal, and he checked in with the mezcal that has done so much to popularise the spirit, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcals.

Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal

Widely considered one of the most influential mezcal personalities in the world and without question someone who has breathed new life into the category over the past 18 years is California-born artist Ron Cooper, founder of Del Maguey Single Estate Village Mezcal. Ron fell in love with the agave sprit back in the 1970s when he used to visit Oaxaca for artistic inspiration. He quickly saw an opportunity to bring this wonderful spirit to more people. By 1995 he managed to sell his first bottle and today he owns one of the world’s most sought after spirits for any discerning bar.

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Del Maguey According to Ron Cooper

  • Unique flavors determined by each different microclimate and hand of maker.
  • Prices range from affordable for mixology to super-premium rare
  • When I started Del Maguey in 1995 there were only adulterated liquids called “mezcal” with cane alcohol, worms, food coloring, flavoring and water added in Mexico and anywhere else (other than in the ranchos and tiny villages made by the farmers you visited). I single-handedly created this hot category and boom in mezcal.
  • From the heart of the maguey, and the soul of the Village it’s Pre-Green, Pre-Organic, Pre-Slow, Pre-Fair Trade. It’s not a trend, it’s a consciousness.

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