Artisanal Mezcal from Oaxaca and Mexico
Espadín • Tobalá • Tepeztate • Blends
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"The spirit of fire and earth: a selection of mezcals from different houses and agaves, to discover the mezcal tradition of Oaxaca and Mexico."
A Selection of Mezcals for Every Palate
This collection brings together mezcals from several houses and regions, with a special presence of Oaxaca, the state where the vast majority of the country's mezcal is produced. You will find Espadín, the most common agave, and also mezcals of Tobalá, Tepeztate, Salmiana and blends of several agaves, as well as kits and gift sets. Each product page indicates the producing house, the agave and the alcohol content, so you can choose with confidence.
Some of the houses and labels you can explore:
- Ticony Espadín Blue Bottle and White Bottle, plus the Ticony Mezcal Duo Kit.
- Don Ramón Tobalá, Espadín and Salmiana.
- Adicción Spicy Tepeztate and Adicción Espadín.
- Tribal Joven Espadín and the blends Tribal 103 and Tribal 203.
- Delirio Joven, Reposado and Añejo; Agua Bendita 45° and Urakan Black 45°.
- 9 Reinos Espadín, Dos Eras Abocado y Lavanda, Los Nahuales and Agave de Cortés Joven.
At La Cava Shop you enjoy free shipping across Mexico on purchases from $1,499 MXN, specialized packaging to protect your bottles and 90 days for free returns. Also explore our wines and liqueurs of Mexico.
Mezcal, Artisanal and Ancestral: The Categories
The Mexican official standard NOM-070-SCFI-2016 classifies mezcal into three categories, according to how it is made:
1. Mezcal
The broadest category. It allows more industrial processes, such as cooking in an autoclave, extraction with a diffuser and continuous distillation.
2. Artisanal Mezcal
Requires cooking in a pit or masonry oven, with no autoclave or diffuser, artisanal milling (tahona, mill or shredder) and distillation in a copper or clay still.
3. Ancestral Mezcal
The most traditional category: cooking in a pit oven, manual milling or with a tahona, and distillation only in clay pots. It is usually produced in very small batches.
Check each bottle's product page for the category and the agave it is made from.
Denomination of Origin and Agaves
The Denomination of Origin Mezcal (DOM) protects production in several states, including Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla, Tamaulipas and Guanajuato. Each region brings different agaves and profiles:
- Oaxaca: the leading producing state. Espadín, Tobalá, Tepeztate and Arroqueño stand out, in areas such as Santiago Matatlán.
- Guerrero: mezcals of Agave Cupreata (Maguey Papalote), with sweet and herbal notes.
- Durango: mezcals of Agave Durangensis (Maguey Cenizo), made in the traditional vinatas.
- San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas: mezcals of Agave Salmiana, with an herbal and earthy profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mezcal, artisanal mezcal and ancestral mezcal?
They are the three categories of NOM-070. Plain mezcal allows autoclaves, diffusers and continuous distillation. Artisanal requires a pit or masonry oven and a copper or clay still. Ancestral distills only in clay pots.
Which states have a Denomination of Origin for Mezcal?
The DOM protects production in several states, including Oaxaca, Guerrero, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla, Tamaulipas and Guanajuato.
How should mezcal be drunk?
At room temperature, in a jícara, small cup or veladora glass, in small sips, to appreciate its herbal, mineral and smoky notes. Chilling it dulls its subtle aromas.
What is the best pairing for mezcal?
Black mole, cecina, Oaxaca cheese, seafood, citrus with worm salt and dark chocolate.
Does shipping mezcal cost anything?
Shipping is free on purchases from $1,499 MXN anywhere in Mexico, with protective packaging and 90 days for free returns.
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