Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
The top-selling traditional Mexican spirit, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, was founded in 1995 to introduce the world to traditional mezcal produced the authentic, ancestral way. History suggests that only the four elements are needed to make mezcal, the predecessor to tequila, the old way: air, fire, water, and earth – and it’s a tradition that Del Maguey’s partner producing farmer-families continue to this day.
Handcrafted by families in remote villages in Oaxaca and Puebla using handcrafted 400-year-old indigenous methods, each bottle of Del Maguey is an expression of individual family traditions and the unique terroir of each village: a taste of place.
Del Maguey Mezcals start with the ripest heart of agave plants known as the ‘piña’. These are harvested by hand, crush with a horse-drawn stone wheel or with wooden mallets, fermented naturally, and distilled in small copper or clay pot stills. This all takes place in traditional palenques: rustic mezcal distilleries that are typically, centuries-old open-air setups on the outpost of a family farm.
Part of Pernod Ricard since 2017, Del Maguey has a deep commitment to environmental and social responsibility. It considers its award-winning pure mezcals as liquid art – honouring ancestral traditions and surrounding terroir to produce unique flavours of individual expression.
Every bottle of Del Maguey Single Village® Mezcal tells a story; the union of the agave plant and ancient traditions. Each bottle is an Expression – a story told by the hand of the maker
DID YOU KNOW…
Mezcal versus tequila
Mezcal is often viewed as the predecessor to tequila and today are four key differences. First, mezcal existed hundreds of years before tequila. Second, mezcal can be made from over 40 varietals of agave, while tequila can be made from only one (the blue Weber agave).
Third, Mezcal and Tequila are protected by different Protected Designation of Origin (DO), which means that only products that meet the DO rules may carry the name of a product. Finally, mezcalis traditionally distilled to proof, with an ABV of 45-55%, while Tequila, which is typically made with more modern methods that result in an ABV of 38-40%.
9 Agave Varietals, 10 Villages, 20 Expressions: The Del Maguey portfolio is journey through the mythic world of Mezcal
Our Mezcal is more than just an Agave distillate made in Mexico. It is the culture and heritage of indigenous families. The heart of the agave and the soul of the village. The Del Maguey portfolio leads you on a spiritual adventure through this world. Whether you’re new to mezcal or are a seasoned connoisseur of rare varietals, there’s something for everyone to explore.
That’s why our mission is to Build Green Walls. By never leaving a lonely green bottle on the shelf or a backbar, we tell our trademarked Single Village® story that drives our category leadership: a story of the authentic culture of traditional mezcal as a celebration of ancestral artistry, unique to each hand of the maker.
- Timeline
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500 AD
According to ancient Mexica (mess-she-ca) myth, the gods grew the first maguey (agave) plant from the buried remains of Mayahuel, the legendary 400 breasted goddess.
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1521
Many believe that distillation technology in Mexico pre-existed the arrival of the Spanish in 1521. When the maguey plant was sourced, mezcal was born.
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1620
Made in small villages by farmer distillers who safeguard its traditions and culture, artisanal mezcal becomes part of the ritual life ways of indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec people.
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1985
Traditionally made mezcal found Ron and blew his mind. He returns to Oaxaca and embarks on an epic adventure to meet the artisans who craft this magical spirit.
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1995
Del Maguey Single Village® Mezcal company is launched, artisanal mezcal is brought out of the shadows and introduced to friends, family, and the world.
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1997
Five farmer-families from Oaxaca are now partnered with Del Maguey, with 7 expressions exported to the US. All of these families are still working with Del Maguey in 2024, and these original expressions now make up the Village Tradiciones and Village Especiales tiers of the portfolio.
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2010
VIDA Clásico, known at this time as VIDA, launched as the first artisanal mezcal suitable for cocktails to global bartender acclaim. The mezcal cocktail is born.
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2012
With the success of VIDA Clásico, Del Maguey is able to bottle and export limited batches of rare wild varietals from existing and new partner producers. These expressions are known today as the Village Varietales tier of the portfolio.
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2020
Del Maguey celebrates a quarter century of pioneering the mezcal revolution, introducing this mythic elixir to artistic souls with open arms.
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2023
Del Maguey is now 100% owned by Pernod Ricard. VIDA Puebla is launched as the first partner project between the two entities.
The Del Maguey story
Learn more about Del Maguey and Single Village Mezcal.