Agave Spirits Futures

This pandemic is causing pain and suffering in many forms. We’d expected it to hit the rural communities of Oaxaca especially hard, but … so far, we’re not hearing of more than a handful of infections outside of the cities. What we are hearing of is economic hardships. Communities that have been relying on the economic boost of tourists are facing financial strains. Mezcaleros who had been making agave spirits in anticipation of tourists coming and purchasing those spirits … they are sitting on a lot of unsold deliciousness. If you’re game to purchase some of that deliciousness in anticipation of picking it up when you can return — in essence, buying futures — here’s an opportunity to do that. We have set up a few different pages that allow you to make these purchases direct from the producers, or through an intermediary in Mexico who the producers have entrusted. To be very clear about this:

(1) Your money is going directly to the PayPal account of the mezcaleros or the intermediary they selected, not to SACRED.

(2) This does not constitute a donation to SACRED.

(3) The spirits you purchase will not be shipped to you. You must pick up your purchases from the mezcalero, or make arrangements with the mezcalero or the intermediary. If you need help making the connection, reach out to us through our Contact page.

(4) Because the money is going direct, you can’t just put in one order, if you want to pull from the different lists.

(5) When you go to pay, the top button option is if you want to pay with a PayPal account -- the bottom button allows you to use your credit card. 

(6) Don’t see what you’re looking for here? Check back frequently -- and check out a similar program from Marco Ochoa and Mezcouting. 

 
 
Temo Garcia, San Dionisio Chichicapam, OAX

Temo Garcia, San Dionisio Chichicapam, OAX

South of centro

Randall Stockton has been leading agave spirits fans through Oaxaca for years as part of Alvin Starkman’s beloved and popular Mezcal Educational Tours. When Randall saw what we had set up for Lalo and crew in Santa Catarina Minas, he asked if we could help him do the same for some of the mezcaleros he regularly visits. So, of course! This list features five mezcaleros from five communities that wrap around the southern part of Oaxaca City. Check it out!

Emanuel Ramons and Ageo Cortes, Miahuatlan, OAX

Emanuel Ramons and Ageo Cortes, Miahuatlan, OAX

miahuatlan

Ageo Cortes and Emanuel Ramos are two young fathers make their living making heritage agave spirits. But there's little living to be made now that the world has shut down. So we're trying to help Ageo and Emanuel with this futures idea: You pay them now, directly, via PayPal, for their agave spirits. Then you head down to Miahuatlan as soon as the pandemic breaks and you pick up your purchases. It's a gift to them, giving them money when they really need it. And it's a gift to you, in the form of a promise for a trip to Oaxaca.

Ageo and Emanuel work in very similar ways: they roast their agave underground in stone-lined earthen ovens; mill using a stone wheel pulled by an ox; ferment open-air in wooden barrels; distill in wood-fired copper pot stills with a refrescadora.

EjutlaIn an effort to support the communities and families that comprise the UPADEC Co-operative and Banhez Mezcal, Director of Operations Luis Perez has spearheaded the formation of a mezcal-futures collection, highlighting numerous varietals of me…

Ejutla

In an effort to support the communities and families that comprise the UPADEC Co-operative and Banhez Mezcal, Director of Operations Luis Perez has spearheaded the formation of a mezcal-futures collection, highlighting numerous varietals of mezcal from 13 different Maestros located in Ejutla. Each spirit was produced using a refrescadora-style still, which is traditional for the region, and utilizes only fully matured agave. As with all Banhez mezcal, for every agave harvested, the members of the UPADEC co-op currently replant three. SHOP NOW!

The Ghost SocietyThe objective of the Ghost Society (SF) is to support the communities with which we work during these difficult times, in particular a cooperative of palm weavers and several families of producers of mezcal in different ranches in t…

The Ghost Society

The objective of the Ghost Society (SF) is to support the communities with which we work during these difficult times, in particular a cooperative of palm weavers and several families of producers of mezcal in different ranches in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca. With your help we will be able to provide work for mezcaleros and artisans in different rural areas during this crisis. SHOP NOW!

Guerrero Bottles and MasksGuerrero’s mezcal is produced mainly for local consumption. You are either going to drink it at a baptism, use it for healing, consume it on patron saint days, or save a whole batch for the future wedding of your kids. Guer…

Guerrero Bottles and Masks

Guerrero’s mezcal is produced mainly for local consumption. You are either going to drink it at a baptism, use it for healing, consume it on patron saint days, or save a whole batch for the future wedding of your kids. Guerrerenses, mainly Nahua heirs, have been producing mezcal for years. It has survived discrimination and government-sponsored prohibition to become the deep-rooted tradition that exists today. SHOP NOW!