Rezpiral
ABOUT:
Founded in 2014 by Alex White, Rezpiral is an independent spirits label, fair-trade project, and advocacy practice that brings extremely small-batch, artisanal agave spirits (destilados de agave) to the market. Unlike brands that strive for standardized uniformity, Rezpiral releases highly limited, rotating "Series" batches to champion the autonomy, multi-generational knowledge, and distinct terroir of independent mezcalero families across Oaxaca. The brand operates on a radical ethos of transparency and equity, redirecting a massive share of their yearly revenue (currently $15,000 annually) directly back to the producer families to fund palenque improvements, land conservation, and personal health needs. Ecologically, Rezpiral also runs a robust wild agave nursery program—planting and gifting thousands of rare agaves grown from seed to offset harvests. Because they bottle batch-to-batch, their portfolio does not have a static core line; instead, it is defined by the legendary maestros and maestras they partner with.
WEBSITE:
https://rezpiral.com/
MEZCALS OFFERED:
Berta Vasquez Espadín: Crafted by Berta Vasquez—a highly respected maestra mezcalera running her own independent palenque in San Baltazar Chichicapam—this is a profoundly complex and well-balanced spirit. It greets the nose with vibrant notes of wild honey, pine, and citrus, leading into a lush, full-bodied palate of sweet agave nectar, melon, and light wood smoke, finishing with a beautiful juxtaposition of sweet and savory tones.
Reina Sanchez Tepextate: Hailing from San Luis Amatlan, Reina Sanchez is renowned for producing elegant yet powerful spirits that reflect her strong, sharp character. Her Tepextate captures the wild, herbal essence of the slow-growing agave, offering an intensely fragrant nose of bright citrus, followed by a bold, mineral-driven palate with notes of blackberry, dark carbon, and a spicy, peppery kick
Aureliano Hernandez Espadín Capón: Produced in San Baltazar Guelavila by a maestro famous for his exceptional agricultural skills. This expression utilizes the traditional "capón" method, where the agave's central stalk (quiote) is severed and the plant is left to mature in the ground, trapping its energy and concentrating its sugars. Distilling these hyper-mature agaves on their own yields an incredibly unique, highly concentrated, and exceptionally rich flavor profile rarely encountered in standard Espadíns.
Simeon Ramirez Arroqueño: Distilled in San Agustín Amatengo, this expression beautifully harnesses the massive, slow-growing Arroqueño agave. Clocking in at a robust ABV (often over 52%), it delivers a rugged, terroir-expressive profile. The nose is savory and earthy with aromas of wet stone and squash, while the palate unfolds with surprising, elegant notes of dark licorice, blueberry, and a deep, lingering minerality.
Abel Martinez Sierra Negra: Crafted in the high-altitude village of Santo Domingo Albarradas, this rare expression showcases the ancestral mastery of Abel Martinez. Utilizing the scarce Sierra Negra agave, the spirit is brilliantly structured and complex, offering a bright, crisp minerality that perfectly balances deep, earthy undertones and a gentle, roasted agave sweetness.