Erstwhile 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.Erstwhile Arroqueo Mezcal is crafted under the watchful eye of maestro mezcaleros Juan Hernndez Mndez and Hortensia Hernndez Martnez. Its made in Santiago Matatln, Oaxaca, using arroqueo agaves that are naturally fermented in wooden open vats, before being distilled using a copper alembic still. The wild arroqueo agaves take longer to mature than espadin, taking up to 25 years. Its worth it in the end, as the profile has a super-bright, floral, and botanical character, making Erstwhile Arroqueo Mezcal the most aromatic in Erstwhiles 2018 flagship lineup.Pick a bottle up today!

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 Cuishe Mezcal is crafted in Santiago Matatln, Oaxaca by Juan Hernndez Mndez and Hortensia Hernndez Martnez. This expression uses the cuishe agave from the karwinskii family, a tall plant with slim leaves that takes between 9 and 12 years to mature. These agaves are harder to harvest, as the pias are often difficult to reach. Fermented naturally in open vats and distilled using a copper alembic still, the karwinskii agave family produces a dry, grassy, herbaceous, and spicy spirit. Bottled at 90 proof, this expression is easy-drinking and smooth with a pleasant spicy kick to it.Pick a bottle up today!

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.Erstwhile Espadn Mezcal comes 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. Fermented naturally in wooden open-air vats and distilled in copper alembic stills, its a treat for any fan of the traditional Mexican spirit.Pick up a bottle today!

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!

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.The Erstwhile Tepeztate-Tobal Ensamble Mezcal is a blend of two different mezcals, one made with tepeztate and the other with tobal agaves. The first brings green and vegetal notes, while the other takes care of the sweetness, fruit, and a full body. Produced by Juan Hernndez Mndez and Hortensia Hernndez Martnez, this small-batch mezcal is made from naturally-fermented agaves that are distilled using traditional methods and bottled at 88 proof. Pick a bottle up today!

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 describes tobal as "the Yoda of all agaves". The smaller plant has broad leaves and takes between 8 and 12 years to mature and creates a sweet, mellow, and floral mezcal. Erstwhile Tobal Mezcal is crafted in Santiago Matatln, Oaxaca by Juan Hernndez Mndez and Hortensia Hernndez Martnez. The agaves ferment naturally in open wooden vats, before being distilled in a copper alembic still. Bottled at 88 proof, its a traditional, delicious, and approachable take on the popular Mexican spirit.Pick a bottle up today!