Cruz de Fuego
ABOUT:
Cruz de Fuego ("Cross of Fire") is a highly awarded artisanal mezcal produced in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca—widely considered the world capital of mezcal. Founded and operated by a dedicated mother-and-son team, Margarita Blas and Carlos Mendez Blas, the brand actively works to protect and honor authentic Zapotec traditions. Their process is completely artisanal and unautomated: the agaves are roasted for days in underground conical stone-lined ovens, milled using a horse-drawn stone tahona, naturally fermented with wild yeast in open-air wooden vats, and double-distilled in wood-fired copper pot stills. Named to represent the fiery spirit of Oaxaca, the brand even designs its unique, eye-catching labels to celebrate the region's rich textile heritage.
WEBSITE:
MEZCALS OFFERED:
Espadín: The incredibly friendly and approachable flagship expression made from agaves matured for 7 to 10 years. The nose opens with a quintessential swirl of pineapple, mango, white flowers, and barbecue smoke. The palate is light, sweet, and vegetal, exhibiting flavors of fresh root vegetables, stone fruit, green bell pepper, and a touch of jalapeño, culminating in a delightfully warm, woody finish.
Tobalá: A premium, limited-release mezcal crafted from wild mountain agaves aged between 12 and 15 years. This expression takes on an incredibly unique, highly aromatic profile, characterized by bright, spicy notes of coconut and fresh ginger, balanced by a deep, earthy, and herbaceous complexity.
Tepextate: Crafted from a wild agave known for its extraordinarily long maturation and intense character. Bold and expressive, this mezcal bursts with roasted agave and pronounced smoke, layered heavily with herbal, earthy, and mineral notes. Hints of zesty citrus and spice shine through before settling into a long, dry, and highly refined finish.
Cirial: Produced from a very physically imposing and rare-to-find subspecies of Agave karwinskii. This expression is uniquely balanced and subtly nuanced, elegantly walking a flavor tightrope between delicate fruits, earthy smoke, dried herbs, and steeped tea leaves.