Del Maguey

Del Maguey is one of the most influential mezcal brands in the world, credited with introducing traditional, small-batch mezcal to a global audience and shaping the category’s modern reputation. Founded in 1995 by artist and mezcal visionary Ron Cooper, Del Maguey pioneered the “single-village” concept, bottling mezcals from individual communities in Oaxaca and other mezcal-producing regions, each reflecting its unique terroir, agave species, and production traditions.

The brand works exclusively with family-run palenques (mezcal distilleries), many of which have been making mezcal for generations. Del Maguey’s role is to connect these artisanal producers to the wider world while ensuring they are paid fairly and their cultural heritage is respected. Each label is hand-painted with artwork depicting the village of origin, underscoring the individuality of each bottling.

Production follows ancestral methods that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Mature agave plants, which may take 7–30 years to reach peak ripeness, are harvested by hand. The piñas (hearts) are slow-roasted for several days in underground earthen pits lined with volcanic rock, imparting the gentle smokiness characteristic of mezcal. After roasting, the agave is crushed using a tahona (a large stone wheel pulled by mule or horse) or, in some villages, by hand with wooden mallets. Fermentation takes place in open-air wooden vats using only wild, ambient yeasts, and distillation is carried out in small clay or copper stills depending on local tradition.

Flavour profiles across the range vary widely depending on agave species, terroir, and distillation method. Espadín mezcals tend to be balanced, smoky, and sweet, while wild agaves like Tobalá can offer intense floral aromatics and tropical fruit. Clay-pot distillation adds a softer, rounder mouthfeel and earthy minerality, whereas copper stills yield a brighter, cleaner spirit.

Del Maguey has been instrumental in educating both trade and consumers about mezcal’s complexity, biodiversity, and cultural significance. Its focus on transparency, authenticity, and producer recognition has helped set the standard for premium mezcal worldwide. The brand has also invested in sustainability initiatives, reforestation projects, and community development in the villages it works with.

Our Del Maguey selection includes core, cocktail-ready expressions like Vida alongside limited, single-village releases for sipping. Whether you’re discovering mezcal for the first time or adding rare agave spirits to your collection, Del Maguey offers a deep, authentic journey into the heart of Oaxaca and beyond, one village, one family, and one bottle at a time.