Clay Pot Mezcal Distillation
Visit Agave Fields and Learn Ancestral Distilling Techniques with Several Generations of Mezcaleros
Santa Catarina is a mezcal town known for its unique technique of distilling mezcal in clay pots rather than in copper or other metal. This experience leaves from Tlayudona in the morning, and we’ll head first to the village of Ocotlán, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast with Oaxaca’s own Frida Kahlo in the town’s local market.
After breakfast we will pick up the master distiller and go visit the agave fields so that you can begin to identify the structure and the science behind various versions of the plant. This is also a wonderful spot to take photos. Next we’ll go to the palenque of the mezcal master, where you can try different types of traditional mezcal made from both wild and cultivated agaves. The Maestro Luis will provide us with an explanation about the process of distilling, the industry, and the culture surrounding mezcal. We’ll close out the day by enjoying locally-made tamales with the producer and his family so that we head back to Tlayudona full of mezcal, lunch, and a stockpile of memories.
This experience follows our Covid Protocol.
What to Expect
Step One: Read our Covid Protocol. If you agree with these terms and practices, write to us and request this experience, telling us how many people are in your small group and what your dates of availability are. This experiences leaves from and returns to Tlayudona in Oaxaca’s historic city center.
Step Two: Once we’ve found a date that works for our hosts and for your group, we will send you a Paypal request for a deposit for your experience. This deposit is non-refundable. In case of an emergency with our hosts, we will do our best to reschedule with you at a mutually-convenient time. If that is not possible, we will refund your deposit.
Step Three: Enjoy your experience!
Experience Includes
- Transportation from/to Tlayudona (210C M.Bravo Street, Colonia Centro)
- Ample and freshly-made breakfast at the Ocotlán market
- Visit to the agave fields
- Explanation and talk with the maestro Luis about the history and the process of mezcal, the crushing by hand with a mallet and the ancestral technique of distillation with a clay pot
- Tamales with the master distillers
- Tasting of 4 emblematic traditional mezcales of Oaxaca
- The opportunity to purchase mezcal directly from the distiller
- Spanish/English translation
Logistics and Cost
Time Involvement: Approximately 7 Hours
Transportation: Round trip from/to Tlayudona (210C M. Bravo Street, Colonia Centro, inside the Plaza San Cristobal)
Costs and Minimums: 2,410 MXN per person if you are signing up two people. 2,170 MXN if you are signing up 3 or more people.
There is a minimum of 2 people for this experience. If you are a single person who would like to sign up for this experience, you can cover the minimum cost of 2 people or write to us to see when we have this experience on the calendar with that minimum requirement already met.