Behind the Bottle: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal

In contrast with the few mezcals that were exported at the time (industrial spirits characterised by the worm – gusano – floating in the bottom of the bottle), Del Maguey introduced the world to real mezcal and the mezcal category was formally born in the process. This year, the brand celebrates 30 years of championing the Mexican spirit.

‘Del Maguey changed the narrative entirely,’ says Steve Olson, an early and long-standing partner in the brand. ‘By importing traditional, single village-made mezcals from Oaxaca, we effectively created the mezcal category. The industry itself didn’t formally recognise mezcal as a distinct spirit for over two decades after the brand’s founding.’