Barril - Chichicapam

Batch: FH-11

Release date: Winter 2026 - Gerry's Wines & Spirits Batch Pick

At a glance:

  • Maguey: Barril (A. Karwinski)
  • 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: 55 litres
  • Date of production: March 2025
  • ABV: 44.7%

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.

We put 60 litres into large glass garaffones, sealed only with a corn cob or cork, allowing for very slow aeration over time - a concept known as madurado. These bottles are the result of that 3-year madurado experiment.

The other half was stored in air tight food grade plastic drums (as most mezcal is). 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.

Matured in antique glass water bottles

Pedro checking out some drone footage

Fortunato & Pedro distilling

Fortunato & Pedro proofing

In the bodega

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: Sweet pickle. Resin. Black pepper. Forest floor.

Palate: Dry smoked and peppered jerky. Opening to clove spiced stewed apples.

Finish: Rich lingering pepper sauce.

Grab a bottle for your collection while stocks last from Gerry's Wine & Spirits:

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