Contra las Cuerdas
ABOUT:
Contra las Cuerdas (Against the Ropes) Mezcal is a project dedicated to giving artisanal mezcal a new value by prioritizing uncompromising quality over quantity. Operating under the motto "Wild by nature. Elegant by choice," the brand's story is deeply rooted in the Ex-Hacienda Guegorene in San Pedro Taviche, Oaxaca. Following the Mexican Revolution, the founders' great-grandmother began producing mezcal on the estate, selling it in clay jars until 1920s prohibition forced a halt. Revived 25 years ago, the family's palenque now transforms both cultivated and wild agaves—some surviving on the highest cliffs for up to 30 years—into coveted liquid art. Contra las Cuerdas refuses to use sugar or additives to artificially inflate yields, ensuring every limited batch is a pure expression of the land. By marrying ancestral and artisanal production methods with a deep commitment to ecological harmony and wild agave preservation, they craft highly authentic spirits designed for the global luxury connoisseur.
WEBSITE:
MEZCALS OFFERED:
The Classic Line ("The Soul of the Ring"): The gold standard gateway into Oaxacan mystique, crafted from Agave Espadín matured for 6 years on the family hacienda. Billed as the reliable "control" mezcal that never leaves the table, this collection is vibrant, versatile, and beautifully balanced. It features a fresh, silky profile that is kissed by the perfect touch of smoke. The line includes a traditional Espadín, an Espadín Abocado (infused with signature botanical notes), and a visually hypnotic Espadín Abocado with Cochineal—a striking, crimson-colored jewel that pays a beautiful tribute to ancient Mexican natural dyes.
The Premium Line ("The Rose of the Winds"): An exploration of rarity and wild character, this collection elevates the experience with original, wild-grown agaves that require 10 to 14 years of silent maturation under the Oaxacan sun. The line features revered varietals like Cuishe (the dandy of agaves), Manso, Arroqueño, and Tobalá (the rose of agaves). These expressions allow mineral and fruity complexity to take center stage, delivering deep, earthy notes and a long, structured finish that directly reflects the unique Guegorene terroir.
The Ultra-Premium Line ("The Guardians of Time"): The absolute pinnacle of the brand's portfolio, representing radical exclusivity for the true connoisseur. This collection features legendary, difficult-to-harvest wild agaves like Jabalí (the untameable), Coyote (the mystic), and the giant Tepeztate, which battle the elements on steep rocky cliffs for 20 to 30 years before harvest. Extremely limited and 100% pure, these ancestral mezcals concentrate decades of solar and mineral energy into a profound sensory explosion, offering evocative tasting notes of rain on hot stone, deep roots, and a wild complexity that gracefully evolves with every sip.