Convite Mezcal
ABOUT:
Convite Mezcal is a premium artisanal brand rooted in the picturesque mountains of San Baltazar Guelavila, Oaxaca. Founded in 2013 by Oaxacan-born Jorge Vera and guided by brothers and Maestro Mezcaleros Cosme "Tucho" and Daniel Hernandez, the brand represents over 200 years of family distillation tradition. The name "Convite" translates to an "invitation to feast" or gather in greatness, embodying legendary Oaxacan hospitality and a deep thirst for life. The brand is highly dedicated to environmental and cultural sustainability: they run extensive nurseries to cultivate baby agaves, replant an average of three times what they harvest, and maintain 100% of their value chain within the local Oaxacan economy. Their strictly artisanal, additive-free, and Kosher-certified process involves slow-cooking agaves in underground stone ovens, milling them with a traditional burro-drawn stone tahona, fermenting naturally in wooden vats with mountain spring water, and double-distilling in copper pots.
WEBSITE:
MEZCALS OFFERED:
Espadín Esencial: The highly approachable, essential entry point to the Convite collection, crafted from Agave Espadín (matured 8+ years) and typically bottled at 40% ABV for the US market. Highly versatile and ideal for premium cocktails, it opens with bright aromas of citrus zest and a gentle touch of smoke. On the palate, it delivers crisp notes of green bell pepper, giving way to a beautifully balanced, long, and briny finish.
Una' (Espadín): A unique, limited-edition Espadín expression bottled at 40% ABV and naturally tinted to a distinct pink hue using traditional cochineal extract. The name "Una'" translates to "woman" in Zapotec, serving as a tribute to female strength and supporting breast cancer awareness charities. It features robust herbal and fruity aromas, leading into a remarkably smooth palate of bright citrus tones, light minerality, and a delicate touch of sweetness.
Espadín-Madrecuishe (Ensamble): A supreme artisanal blend uniting the accessible sweetness of 8-year cultivated Espadín with the earthy complexity of 13-year wild Madrecuishe agaves, bottled at 42% ABV. The aroma bursts with bright citrus and rich cocoa. The tasting experience boasts a wonderfully velvety body that resolves into an elegant, lingering dry cedar finish.
Tepextate: A robust and complex expression crafted from 100% wild-harvested Tepextate agaves and bottled at 46% ABV. It beautifully captures the stubborn and wild nature of the plant, delivering highly herbal, profoundly green, and spicy characteristics perfect for seasoned mezcal enthusiasts.
Coyote: An ultra-premium, rare expression produced from 12-year-old wild Coyote agaves—widely considered one of the most elusive and sacred agave varieties in Oaxaca. Bottled at 46% ABV, it provides an unmatched sensorial experience, offering an immediate burst of white pepper, delicate floral notes, and fresh herbs that beautifully linger throughout a prolonged, elegant finish.
Pechuga: A rich, ceremonial expression historically reserved for weddings and special occasions, bottled at 42% ABV. During the final distillation of their Espadín mezcal, local fruits, herbs, spices, and a raw creole turkey breast (pechuga) are suspended inside the still. The resulting spirit is deeply infused with notes of sweet baking spices and tropical fruits—reminiscent of a traditional Mexican fruit punch—wrapped in a remarkably savory and full-bodied texture.