Agua del Sol
El mezcal de la banda
Agua del Sol is an uncertified line of agave spirits that is structured as a co-op. The brand was created in 2020 by Felix Monterrosa and Adriana Correa, who are perhaps best known as the owners and operators of Mezcaleria Cuish in Oaxaca City.
The families of both Felix and Adriana have a long history in agave cultivation and production of traditional mezcales in Oaxaca. Every small batch bottled by Agua del Sol is unique and unrepeatable - a true snapshot of the people and region where it was produced.
Agua del Sol aims to make traditional mezcal accessible to local communities. The project was conceived at a meeting of master mezcaleras when they asked themselves why a pour of mezcal was more expensive than a glass of Scotch.
Due to increasingly high taxes in Mexico and a growing demand for “mezcal” in the export market, it is now more difficult for local consumers to afford their native spirits. Even worse, tradition is lost to arbitrary government regulations when brands pursue mezcal certification.
Agua del Sol makes traditional agave spirits accessible to local communities by keeping for them a part of every export batch. Bottling as a destilado de agave (and not “mezcal”) allows our producer partners to maintain traditional production methods and abide by local proofing.
Agua del Sol supports community sustainability. Structured as a co-op, we are committed to the long-term development of our producer-partners and their families. That commitment relieves pressure on production and allows them to care for natural resources using ancient traditions.
WHO WE ARE
Cuish Mezcaleria was founded in 2009 by Felix Hernandez Monterrosa, in the same location where his parents once ran a small mezcal shop (“expendio”). Felix and his family have a long history in both the production and preservation of traditional mezcales in Oaxaca, through commercial and civic organizations.
Cuish was the first modern mezcaleria in Oaxaca City, dedicated to promoting and protecting traditional mezcales, and educating mezcal drinkers both locally and internationally.
It has been a haunt for artists and mezcal advocates alike, and helped to inspire numerous iconic mezcalerias across the country. Promoting the maestros mezcaleros and mezcaleras they collaborate with has always been a focus for Felix, and production is left entirely to the discretion of the maestros themselves and the local traditions in which they work. As a result, every batch bottled for Agua del Sol is a unique snapshot of the people and place from which the mezcal comes.
If you’re a spirits distributer outside of California interested in working with Agua del Sol, drop us a line at quiubo@badhombreimporting.com
We look forward to hearing from you!