Mala Santa Mezcal

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Origin

Malasanta’s Mezcal roots sprout from the City of Aguascalientes, paying homage to its rich history and mainly the birthplace of La Calavera Garbancera widely known as La Catrina. Paying homage to all bootleggers, artists, activists and anyone who has the courage to stand up against oppression and fight for equality no matter the odds.

Mezcal is often called “The Elixir of Gods”, mainly due to the mythical tale of a lightning bolt striking an agave. The powerful strike with its intense heat cooked the piña (the heart of the agave plant) releasing the sacred liquid we all dearly love and enjoy, Mezcal. Its origins date back to,ancient Mesoamerica, where agave plants were widely used to produce an assortment of beverages, among them Mezcal.

Prohibition

In 1585 a Royal Order was issued in Aranjuez, Spain to stop the production of spirits extracted from the agave plant in New Spain. Back then, Mezcal was produced only in 30 localities.

By 1749 the ‘Private Court of Prohibited Beverages’ was created in order to control the production and sale of agave products. Elizacoechea, Bishop of Valladolid (today, Morelia, Michoacán), gave the order to ex-communicate any producer or consumer of Mezcal.

The members of 1749 the ‘Private Court of Prohibited Beverages’ carried out severe punishments on the offenders. For Spaniards it meant the loss of property, excommunication and exile from their city residence while all other races would suffer floggings, severe beatings and torture.

The myth

Mezcal was prosecuted, punished, forbidden, and looked down upon during the prohibition era, which gave birth to the legend of MALASANTA….

Legend has it, she lived and died in the eighteenth century, her real name has always been a mystery. She alone mastered the trafficking of Mezcal throughout the viceroyalty and gave back to the commoner who suffered great losses during “La Conquista”.

Mezcal is one of Mexico’s best kept secrets. It’s more than a spirit, like Mexican people, it has a proud history linked to resistance and mysticism quickly gaining popularity in the United States and all around the world. Mezcal is a purely artisanal and indigenous spirit, it is a celebratory spirit consumed by locals to highlight fortunes as well as overcoming hardships, it’s consumed in rituals, and it’s even used to ask the land permission for utilization or passage into new territories. Enjoyed neat or “kissed” by many and in cocktails by others, its wide spectrum of notes and aromas always finds a way to add another devoted mezcal lover into its ranks.

INCEPTION

La Catrina or La Calavera Catrina is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Dia de los Muertos holiday – but do you know her origins? The story of La Catrina involves three of Mexico’s most famous artists across two generations and the power of art as a reflection of society.

HISTORY

The original La Catrina was named Calavera Garbancera created by Mexican Illustrator, Jose Guadalupe Posada in Aguascalientes Mexico as part of his series of satirical lithographs that addressed political and societal issues and were published for the masses in the Mexican press. La Calavera Catrina was created circa 1910 as a reference to the high-society obsession with European customs and by extension, Mexican leader Porfirio Diaz, whose corruption ultimately led to the Mexican Revolution of 1911. Posada’s Calavera dons a fancy hat – in the European style and her name ‘Catrina’ comes from the slang ‘Catrin’ which referred to a well-dressed man or woman.

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DIEGO RIVERA'S INFLUENCE

The image was used in 1947 by Diego Rivera for his now-famous mural, Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park in the historic center of Mexico City. Rivera changed the name of Calavera Garbancera to “La Catrina”. The mural depicts Posada’s Calavera Catrina as the central figure, holding a young Rivera’s hand – with the artist’s wife (and important artist), Frida Kahlo just behind. La Catrina is surrounded by important historical figures, indigenous people, and notably – Porfirio Diaz’s wife and daughter.

In present day – La Catrina is linked to the celebration of el Dia de los Muertos almost seamlessly – through the decorated sugar skulls, face paint, and elegant dress worn by festival goers – she gives a modern nod to the ancient Aztec queen of the underworld, Mictēcacihuātl.

Fun Facts

Ancient Mexican cultures, especially the Aztecs, worshiped the agave plant in the form of the female deity known as Mayahuel. The agave plant was not only praised for its precious liquids, but it also served as material for ropes, fabrics and its sharp spikes served as sewing needles and even dart-like weapons.

There are over 250 types of agave, Mexico alone is home to over 150 different species, that is over 75% of the total diversity of the agave genus. Overall, around 30 agave species are used to make mezcal, some of which have been known to mature in as long as 30 plus years.

Mezcal is a completely natural spirit meaning no sugars, additives, yeasts or any other substances besides spring water is added. Yeast for fermentation is provided from the ‘palenques’ surrounding environment and only natural local spring water is utilized. Each bottle is 100% agave.

FUN FACTs

We pledge to provide only the best Mezcal by sourcing the highest quality and most unique agaves, all while also producing truly artisanal additive free mezcal.

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Espadín

Subtle notes of pepper, fruity tones, herbs and a very light smokiness with a very sweet finish.

Tobalá

Very fresh and aromatic, tones of wood, straw, wild grasses and sweet tones with a hint of spice.

Cuishe

Abundant herbaceous notes with small mineral, fruity and floral tones, such as geranium and green leaves, in which its unmistakably earthy notes of agave stand out.

ENSAMBLe

Used by Mesoamerican cultures for hundreds of years to make ‘Honey-Water’. Sweet and spicy profile with citrus notes on the mid-palate and a refreshing finish.

Tepeztate

Deep and complex flavor. Fruity sweet notes, herbaceous and spicy and mineral touches, fresh green notes on the finish.

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