Tepextate - Chichicapam

Batch: FH-08-PL

Release date: October 2026

At a glance:

  • Maguey: Tepextate (A. Marmorata)
  • Producer: Fortunato Hernandez & Family
  • Region: San Balthazar Chichicapam, Ocotlán, Oaxacan Central Valleys
  • Cooking: 4 days in un-lined earthen pit with mesquite wood
  • Milling: Machete & horse-frawn tahona
  • Fermentation: 5 days in open-air wooden tina with well water
  • Distillation: Double pass in copper alembic
  • Batch size: 120 litres
  • Date of production: October 2023
  • ABV: 46.3%

In the Ocotlán district of Oaxaca's central valleys - an hour or so south of Oaxaca city - Fortunato and his family make mezcales that win every time.

Entering Chichicapam

This bottling is one half of a 120 litre batch, distilled in October 2023. The other half was rested in large glass jars for 3 years before bottling. Find that other half here. They make a fascinating side-by-side.

Loading the oven

Fortunato’s mezcales are produced in the traditional style of the community: Agaves are roasted in an un-lined earthen pit filled with local wood including mesquite…

…the roasted maguey are then chopped to size by machete before being milled with horse drawn tahona; the mash is fermented with well water before ultimately being double distilled in coper alembique stills.

Agaves trimmed pre-roast

Pedro checking out some drone footage

Fortunato & Pedro distilling

Fortunato & Pedro proofing

It’s a true family business, with Fortunato’s wife Victoria often involved with production, and son-in-law Pedro taking an increasingly significant role. His daughter Estela manages sales from the bodega, and even her young daughters get involved while not at school.

Gracias Fortunato & Family

House Tasting Notes:

Nose: Loads of white pepper, even some Sichuan. Slight brine amongst the piercing ester notes. Tiny bit of resin when you get deep down with a long inhale. Magi / Worcestershire sauce, and a little moss as it opens.

Palate: Big pepper hit upfront, mellowing quicky to baked crackers with the mildest of pilchard / sardine topping.

Finish: Toasted pine.

On Return: Gets sweeter in the glass.

Grab a bottle for your collection while stocks last:

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