Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal 'San Luis del Rio'
Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal 'San Luis del Rio' is a 47% ABV (94 proof) unaged mezcal in a 750mL bottle — 100% Espadín agave from the hot, narrow valley of San Luis del Rio in Oaxaca, where the Red Ant River runs through the village, handcrafted by the Cruz Nolasco family, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 47% (94 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: joven (unaged)
- Agave: 100% Espadín (Agave angustifolia), 6–8 years old
- Origin: San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca, Mexico — Valles Centrales, ~900m elevation
- Production: palenqueros Paciano Cruz Nolasco and Marcos Cruz Mendez; 3–8 day earthen pit roast, molino crush, 8–10 day open-vat natural fermentation with the fibers, double-distilled in 350L wood-fired copper stills, Rio Hormiga Colorada (Red Ant River) water
- Heritage: one of the first two Del Maguey expressions introduced to the US in 1995
The Original: Red Ant River Mezcal
San Luis del Rio is where Del Maguey's American story began — one of the first two expressions Ron Cooper brought to the US in 1995. The village sits in a hot, narrow valley where Espadín grows on steep slopes above the Rio Hormiga Colorada, the Red Ant River, whose scent of old mango groves hangs in the air. Paciano Cruz Nolasco and Marcos Cruz Mendez roast the agave in earthen pits, ferment naturally in open vats with the fibers, and distill twice in wood-fired copper stills riverside. The result is the boldest of the core range: smoky and spicy with bright citrus and sweet fruit, creamy roasted agave, earthy minerals, and a smooth, lingering finish. Browse our mezcal shelf, explore Del Maguey, or compare Wahaka Espadin.
Tasting Notes
Smoky and spicy with bright citrus and sweet fruit on the nose. The palate is creamy roasted agave with citrus, earthy minerals, and subtle clay texture, finishing smooth, smoky, and lingering with a balance of sweetness and heat.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a copita to take the full 94-proof measure — or in cocktails where bold smoke is welcome: a mezcal margarita, a smoky paloma, even a mezcal negroni. Pairs with barbecued meats and dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is San Luis del Rio significant?
It was one of the first two Del Maguey mezcals ever sold in the US (1995) — the bottle that introduced American drinkers to single-village artisanal mezcal.
What is the Red Ant River?
The Rio Hormiga Colorada — the river that runs through San Luis del Rio and supplies the palenque's water. Its valley's mango groves give the village its signature scent.
How strong is it?
94 proof (47% ABV) — the boldest of Del Maguey's core single-village range.
The one that started it all in America — pick up Del Maguey San Luis del Rio Mezcal at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.