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San Baltazar Chichicapam
Faustino García Vásquez makes his mezcal in the village of San Baltazar Chichicapam with his son Maximino García Chávez. One of the first families Ron Cooper met when he started his quest to find the best mezcals, their Chichicapa was the first mezcal Ron released, and it continues to be one of Del Maguey's best-selling mezcals.
When Ron first met Faustino, he didn't have his own palenque but rented one from a neighbour to make his mezcal. Thanks to Ron and Del Maguey, he has long operated his own Palenque, one that has considerably expanded over the years. However, production remains artisanal, with a roasting pit, a horse-pulled tahona, open-top tinas, and copper alembics.
Production notes
Elevation: 5,052 feet (1,540 metres)
Agave: Espadín (7-8 years old)
Roast: Earthen pit horno for 4-5 days
Mill: Horse-pulled tahona wheel
Water source: Well
Fermentation: Natural yeast in 1,700 litre open-top wooden tinas
Distillation: Double distilled in 350 litre direct-fired alembic copper stills
Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
Status: Bottlers not distillers
Established: 1995
Owner: Del Maguey Ltd
Capacity: Not supplied
Visitor Policy: Not generally accessible
Website: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
Address: Macedonio Alcala No. 403 Local 7, Centro Historico, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, 68000
Established: 1995
Owner: Del Maguey Ltd
Capacity: Not supplied
Visitor Policy: Not generally accessible
Website: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
Address: Macedonio Alcala No. 403 Local 7, Centro Historico, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, 68000
