Spirits · San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca
Mezcal Union
A mezcal built on a partnership of Oaxacan mezcalero families.
- Founded
- 2011
- Founded by
- Alejandro Gutierrez Champion and partners
- Based in
- San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca
Making it since
2011
Their story
Mezcal Unión began in 2011, started by a group of Mexican entrepreneurs including Alejandro Gutierrez Champion. The brand traces its start to San Baltazar Guelavila in Oaxaca, and its name reflects the idea behind it: uniting several family producers under one label.
Unión works with a network of palenques around Oaxaca, beginning with the family of Zapotec mezcalero Pedro Hernandez. The families own and run production while Unión handles the brand. Diageo agreed to acquire Mezcal Unión in 2021, with the founders staying involved.
How it's made
Espadín, cirial and tobalá piñas are roasted in earthen pits over oak, crushed by a horse-drawn tahona, fermented with wild yeast and distilled twice in copper. El Joven blends espadín and cirial, while El Viejo pairs espadín with long-matured tobalá.
We own the brand, and the production is owned by the families.
Why we carry them
El Joven is a friendly, fruity mezcal for cocktails, and El Viejo is worth sipping slowly. Both are good bottles for someone new to the category.
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