A mezcal where the mezcaleros call the shots.
It’s not often you find a spirit owned and operated by those who produce the elixir itself. Wahaka Mezcal co-owner and Master Distiller Alberto “Beto” Morales weaves Oaxaca’s old-world traditions with the present-day to create a mezcal representing community, quality, and respect for the land.
“Watching my father work in the fields and my mother cook for everyone who helped him, inspired me to do things differently—not just to sell a product in bulk but to create our brand,” says Beto.
“We—me and my family—are shareholders and have been fully integrated into the project—a rarity in the mezcal world.”
Morales carries his irrefutable respect for the land that birthed the Oaxacan people and multiple agave varieties in every step of Wahaka Mezcal.
“In San Dionisio Ocotepec, the small village where our “palenque” or distillery is located, is blessed with having a tremendous variety in agaves, farmed, wild, low land, and highland varietals,” shares Beto.
“The altitude, weather, soil, and subsoil all contribute different characteristics, nutrients, and minerals, which help distinguish and concentrate the sugars of the agaves at the time of distillation, leading us to achieve a mezcal of very high quality.”
The resounding knowledge of a true mezcalero, a master mezcal distiller, leading the brand makes a difference. Yet, it’s not only his impressive distilling expertise that churns out excellent small-batch mezcal—it’s his family and community’s legacy, whose Zapotec culture is more ancient than mezcal itself.
“Wahaka Mezcal is a symbol of hard work, unity, and the state of Oaxaca with people who workday in and day out to put food on their tables,” adds Beto.
“Unfortunately, we’ve seen many producers industrialize their processes to meet demand, sacrificing aspects that make mezcal special. We remain committed to our traditions, artisanal methodologies, community, and the agaves that make our mezcal unique.”
Keeping out the commercial is felt with every sip of Wahaka’s Mezcal, whether the Espadín or the rare Tobalá. The quality is a clear theme one that wouldn’t be there without the mighty Oaxacan community that Wahaka mezcal supports through employment, safeguarding local habitats, and more.
While always giving back, Morales is still moving forward – this time with a new release that will give us an intimate seat at his family table. Based on a recipe from Morales’ mother, Zaponauta, the Spirit of New Horizons is the first Oaxacan mezcal coffee liquor on the market. It’s a liquor meant to fuel the future, which as Morales reminds us cannot be done without respect for the past.
