Artisanal distilling of agaves means working with plants that have been a major part of the distiller’s culture for thousands of year. The process is part of the distiller’s life. The distillery is part of the distiller’s house. The distiller is part of a close-knit community, and sells spirits to his neighbors. All this shows up in what the distiller creates. It’s why it’s so deep. COMUNIDAD is about keeping this alive, doing business with the distillers and marketing their products is ways that honor and preserve the culture, the old traditional ways that make agave spirits great.
PRODUCTS & IMAGES
COMUNIDAD NO. 1 BRAMADEROS
A rich mezcal of 5 wild agaves, barril, bicuishe, coyote, madrecuishe, and Mexicano, with cultivated espadín, grown at +/- 5600 feet in shaley ferriferous soils. Unusually complex and very clean: Alberto Ortiz, “Don Beto”, is a master of Karwinskii. Bramaderos, pop. 578, is at 5500 feet in Miahuatlan. The batch was distilled October 4, 2017. 731 bottles. 48% abv. RSP $110.
COMUNIDAD NO. 2 EL LAZO DE SOLA DE VEGA
A lovely 220-liter batch of coyote, a local variant of agave Americana var. Oaxacensis grown from wild clones and harvested from La Casita, a steep hillside planting, by Angel Cruz Robles, the distiller. This man knew his agaves intimately. Earthy, intense, complex. Distilled in October of 2021. 279 bottles. 52.7% abv. RSP $120.
COMUNIDAD NO. 3 RANCHO VIEJO.
A small 197-liter batch of wild Mexicano (agave rhodacantha), distilled in a small pueblo south of Sola de Vega. Distiller Gabino Ramirez, self-taught, rents a small still in the village and ferments isn small cylindrical vats; the separated fermentations add complexity. The mezcal is a single distillation to proof, using a refrescadera mounted atop the still, which increases the rectification of the distillate. Soft and richly vegetal. The batch was distilled June, 2021. 263 bottles 750ML at 47.1% abv. RSP $105
COMUNIDAD NO. 4 AMATENGO.
We rescued the last 40 liters of a fabulous batch distilled from wild and exceptionally mature tepextate (agave marmorata) that son Luis was pouring in his mezcaleria in Oaxaca city. Distiller Sergio Juárez performed a single distillation to proof using a refrescadera; The batch was distilled January 14, 2022. 55 bottles 750ML at 47.3% abv. RSP $120
COMUNIDAD NO. 5 BRAMADEROS.
A delicate blend (mezcla) of espadín (agave angustifolia) and wild bicuishe (agave Karwinskii) distilled by Don Beto’s son Onofre Ortiz, at the family distillery. The rolling hills of ferriferous clay-shale soils in Miahuatlan produce exceptional Karwinskii; the local mezcals are among Oaxaca’s finest, The batch was distilled in December, 2021. 293 bottles 750ML at 47.4% abv. RSP $89
COMUNIDAD NO. 6 AMATENGO.
Amatengo was once famous for its wild barril (agave Karwinskii). Sergio Juárez is deliberately restoring the reputation. Single distillation to proof preserves the floral/herbal characteristics of mezcals from this large slow-growing agave. Creamy and intense with nice minerality. The batch was distilled in February, 2022. 140 bottles 750ML at 48.8% abv. RSP $102
COMUNIDAD NO. 7 RANCHO VIEJO.
A small and exceptional batch of wild tobalá (agave potatorum), distilled in a small pueblo south of Sola de Vega. Distiller Gabino Ramirez’ father Jacopo showed up when we were picking up Gabino’s mezcal and showed us this little beauty. Single distillation to proof using a refrescadera captures the delicacy of this agave, for which Sola de Vega is justly famous. Elegance from the region’s chalky soils. The batch was distilled in March of 2021. 151 bottles 750ML at 48.1% abv. RSP $120
COMUNIDAD NO. 8 BRAMADEROS.
A powerful and very unusual blend, distilled by Onofre Ortiz, of 6 wild agaves (arroqueño, bicuishe, coyote, madrecuishe, Mexicano, and tepeztate) against a calm backdrop of espadín. Beautifully balanced and very very complex. Don Beto said regretfully that he had been saving this for himself. The batch was distilled December 9, 2021. Do not miss this. We have only 80 bottles. 750ML at 48.6% RSP $120
COMUNIDAD NOs 9-17 SANTA CATARINA MINAS.
We continue to buy as much of Heladio Lopez’ mezcal as we can: The quality is simply unmatched. We are lucky to be working with this gifted distiller. These are single (= very slow) distillation mezcals with his usual exquisite touch.
COMUNIDAD NO. 9. Wild sierrudo, a very large variety of agave Americana that takes along time to mature, some 20 years. Lactic, herbal complexity, rich long finish The batch was distilled in March, 2022. 55 bottles 750ML at 50.1% abv. RSP $172
COMUNIDAD NO. 10 . Wild tobasiche, a variety of agave Karwinskii, one that also takes a long time to mature. Gently rich, nicely round. The batch was distilled in November of 2021. 55 bottles 750ML at 51.9% abv. RSP $125
COMUNIDAD NO. 11. Wild jabalí, agave convallis, an agave so hard to distill that many avoid it. Creamy and sweet, fabulous length. A masterpiece. The batch was distilled in February, 2022. 55 bottles 750ML at 51.9% abv. RSP $161
COMUNIDAD NO. 12. Wild tripón, a local agave Karwinskii variant that is very rarely distilled. Rich and spicy complexity. The batch was distilled in March, 2021. 48 bottles 750ML 46.8% abv. RSP $172
COMUNIDAD NO. 13 Wild tobasiche, a variety of agave Karwinskii that takes a long time to mature, blended with mature local espadín. Beautifully defined subtly. Spicy, with a long finish The batch was distilled in July of 2022. 156 bottles 750ML 47.2% abv. RSP $120
COMUNIDAD NO. 14 Wild coyote, a variety of agave Americana, one that is scarce because it likes to grow alone. Creamy and vegetal with a balancing tartness. Let this open: it gets big. The batch was distilled in February of 2023. 21 bottles. 750ML 46.7% abv. RSP $172
COMUNIDAD NO. 15 Wild tripón, a local agave Karwinskii variant that is very rarely distilled. Spicy, rich, beautifully balanced. The batch was distilled in March of 2023. 21 bottles. 750ML 46.5% abv. RSP $198
COMUNIDAD NO. 16 Wild tobasiche, a long-maturing local agave
Karwinskii variant. Liquid herbal nose. Complexity, spice, minerality. Extraordinary mezcal. The batch was distilled in October of 2022. 21 bottles. 750ML 44.3% abv. RSP $178
COMUNIDAD NO. 17 Wild arroqueño, another variety of agave Americana. Rich mouthfeel with a spicy & saline creaminess. Great fruit. The batch was distilled in November of 2022. 21 bottles. 750ML 46.7% abv. RSP $165
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