Erstwhile Henequen Mezcal

Erstwhile Mezcal is an importer from Brooklyn, New York, specializing in artisanal mezcal. Founded in 2017 by Yuan Ji and Kevin J. Brown, they are laser-focused on helping smaller, family-operated mezcal producers reach the US. This involves education, curation, and extensive research all in order to bring the best traditional small-batch mezcal to the consumer while enabling the producers to expand.They never meddle with the mezcaleros production process and always pay them fairly, only stepping in when and where their help is needed. This includes fronting legal fees, finding a suitable bottling facility, and any similar hurdles which are overcome at the beginning of every partnership they make. Transparency plays a huge role in the way they operate, always stating where the mezcal is sourced from and actively communicating with the mezcal-loving community.Their very first release was the Erstwhile Mezcal Espadn from Rancho Blanco Gil. While the founders were scouring the Oaxaca countryside for a flagship Espadn Mezcal, they came upon master mezcalero Silverio Garca Luis. They immediately knew theyd found what they were looking for. Complex, elegant, balanced, as well as versatile and good value, it was the perfect fit for their first shipment from Mexico. Since then they have been partnering with some of the finest traditional mezcal producers.Erstwhile Henequn Mezcal was made by maestro mezcalero Juan Hernndez Mndez and Hortensia Hernndez Martnez in Santiago Matatln, Oaxaca in December 2017. A total of 500 bottles of the 90-proof spirit were made using natural open-vat fermentation and alembic copper-pot stills. The mezcal was originally made for the Mndez personal collection before entering into a partnership with Erstwhile. It is the first mezcal that is crafted with cultivated fast-maturing Henequn agaves to be imported into the US.Pick a bottle up today!