Though it has been handcrafted in Mexico for years, Mezcal Viejo Indecente is a welcome new addition to the U.S. market. With its natural agave flavor profile, it has the potential to redefine the mezcal category, offering an expertly handcrafted, agave-forward spirit without the typical smoky notes found in the vast majority of other mezcals available in the U.S.
Mezcal Viejo Indecente is produced in the small community of San Isidro Guishe, within the district of Miahuatlán, Oaxaca, by the Lucas family, who has been producing mezcal for three generations.
Mezcal Viejo Indecente Espadín, the first product to launch stateside, begins with 100% Espadín agave sourced from the Lucas’ farm and harvested after approximately 8 years. The agave is steamed in a clay oven, distilled twice in a pot still at the family distillery, and carefully filled and bottled by hand. In lieu of the smoky notes imparted from typical wood-fueled pits, Mezcal Viejo Indecente utilizes an energy-efficient, steam cooking process – a traditional process commonly seen in Mexico’s northern states, whose drier climates make local lumber scarce – which preserves the full flavor of the agave plant, allowing the naturally sweet notes of the agave to dominate the flavor profile. As a result, Mezcal Viejo Indecente Espadín is versatile: it can be served neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
In 2013, brand owners Kristina Díaz Paterson, who had previously worked to nurture environmental startups at a non-governmental agency (“NGO”), and Gabriel Pacheco, a seasoned, Fortune 500 marketing executive, met the Lucas family and sampled what would become Viejo Indecente. Impressed by the family’s unwavering dedication to environmentally friendly production methods and the mezcal’s bright flavor profile, Paterson and Pacheco partnered with the Lucas family, and together set out to market and establish the brand within Mexico, and now in the U.S.
“The mezcal category is diverse, and steeped in history, with hundreds of different spirits on the market that are produced from nearly 30 different species of agave via a broad range of cooking, fermentation and distillation methods,” said Mezcal Viejo Indecente Brand Owner and Partner Kristina Díaz Paterson. “While interest in mezcal continues to grow, the range of products available in the U.S. remains limited, and we typically only see the big-bodied smoke-forward spirits. We are excited to bring an entirely different expression to the U.S. market – one that will continue to help spirit enthusiasts understand that within the diverse world of mezcals, there is truly a spirit for everyone.”
In addition to its unique flavor profile, the company proudly sets itself apart through its unwavering commitment to natural farming and environmentally friendly production methods. The Lucas family employs an all-natural fertilization technique, which utilizes polyculture techniques for the agave species grown in their own fields by rotating crops. This diversity has eliminated the need for all pesticides, and instead the family uses the leftover fiber of processed agave hearts to enrich the soil and protect the young agaves.
“We are traditional producers. We grew up cultivating our terroir – learning about the climate, the seasons, and the wind, which all contribute to our craftsmanship,” said José Lucas, Mezcal Viejo Indecente’s Third Generation Master Distiller. “For three generations, our family has lived off this land, and we are proud to do all that we can to give back to it and preserve it for future generations.”
Mezcal Viejo Indecente Espadín is a bright, agave forward liquid, with mineral and herbal notes on the nose, and an earthy, vegetal flavor balanced with citrus and sweet agave notes. The finish is smooth, warm and lingering.
Mezcal Viejo Indecente Espadín ($59.99 for 750ml) is available in California, Florida and New York, and online at www.viejoindecente.com. Mezcal Viejo Indecente Ensamble and Mezcal Viejo Indecente Madrecuishe will be coming soon. For more information, visit www.viejoindecente.com.
