ABOUT:

Catedral de mi Padre (often simply referred to as Catedral Mezcal) is a highly acclaimed, sustainably driven artisanal brand founded in 2022 by a father-daughter duo, Jeff and Sydney Block. Built on a farm-to-bottle philosophy, Catedral champions the people behind the spirit. Rather than relying on a single facility, the brand partners directly with six different Maestros Mezcaleros across Oaxaca, empowering local families and highlighting diverse micro-terroirs. They are strictly committed to 100% natural agave with absolutely no additives. Production adheres to time-honored artisanal techniques: mature agaves are slow-roasted in earthen pits, crushed by traditional horse-drawn tahonas, naturally fermented in open-air wooden vats, and double-distilled in copper alembic stills. Known for their striking, modern packaging and a rapidly growing list of industry awards, Catedral's portfolio provides a beautiful cross-section of Oaxacan maguey.

WEBSITE:

https://catedralmezcal.com

MEZCALS OFFERED:

Espadín (Joven): The brand’s foundational expression, meticulously distilled by Maestro Mezcalero Jorge Octavio Cardaz Cualtamirano in the mountains outside Oaxaca City. Bottled with a light-brown leather base on the bottle, it delivers a deeply expressive profile. The nose is distinctly fresh and vegetal. On the palate, it starts with a pronounced wallop of cracked black pepper and green pepper, elegantly followed by subdued, delicate hints of campfire smoke, green vegetality, and a dash of earthy terroir.

Madre Cuishe: An award-winning, highly terroir-driven expression crafted from the wild, stalk-like Agave karwinskii family. Because this agave grows tall and woody, it produces a remarkably dry, herbaceous mezcal. It rewards the drinker with complex, earthy minerality and intense green, botanical notes that shine brightly over a very restrained wisp of smoke.

Tobalá: A luxurious, ultra-premium expression distilled from the prized, wild, rosette-shaped Agave potatorum. True to the nature of the Tobalá agave, it offers a profoundly rich and sweet-tasting journey. The nose presents a fascinating, nutty aroma. The palate is deeply complex, bouncing between decadent flavors of warm toffee, burnt marshmallows, and sweet grapefruit, all perfectly harmonized and balanced by a subtle earthiness.

Ensamble (Espadín + Mexicano): A masterful field blend that perfectly balances the bright, peppery accessibility of Espadín with the rich sweetness of Mexicano. It features a highly inviting, sweet, and moderately smoky nose. The palate is exceptionally smooth and creamy, boasting fascinating lactic (cheese-like) notes alongside bursts of overripe melon and coconut, concluding with a warm, peppery finish.

Ensamble (Espadín + Cuishe): Crafted by Maestro Mezcalero Joel Santiago Hernandez, this blend beautifully marries the tried-and-true Espadín with the herbaceous, terroir-forward Cuishe. Bottled at a robust 47.7% ABV, it presents a nose of green bell pepper, crushed stone, and confectioner's sugar. The tasting experience is rich, oily, and intensely flavorful, delivering bright citrus, striking salinity, and an impeccable balance between minerality, fresh fruit, and soft smoke.