Alambique Serrano Cartier 30 Rum

Alambique Serrano Cartier 30 Rum is the Krassel family's traditional unaged aguardiente from Santa Maria Tlalixtac, in Oaxaca's Canada region — bottled at still strength, 70.3% ABV (140.6 proof), in a 700mL bottle, exactly as it comes off the still. The name is a measurement, not an age: on the obsolete Cartier scale, '30 Cartier' reads at roughly 70% ABV, the strength locals have historically mixed with a bit of fresh cane juice and shot. The Krassel brothers plant, harvest and distill 100% organic Java sugarcane grown on steep hillsides at altitudes as high as 4,000 feet above sea level, ferment the fresh cane juice naturally, and distill it in the family's custom-built still — originally designed by German immigrant Max Krassel in the 1930s — a still that produces no heads or tails, its strength set by the cooling chambers and the flow of cane juice. No sugar and no water are added. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.

• Proof / ABV: 140.6 proof (70.3% ABV), still strength
• Size: 700mL
• Age: Unaged
• Raw Material: 100% organic Java sugarcane, fresh cane juice, naturally fermented
• Still: Custom Krassel still (designed by Max Krassel, 1930s) — no heads or tails
• Origin: Santa Maria Tlalixtac, Canada region, Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca's Other Great Spirit

Oaxaca means mezcal to most drinkers, but the Krassel family has distilled sugarcane in the Canada region for three generations, since Max Krassel arrived from Germany and built his still on a coffee farm. Cartier 30 is the family's most traditional bottling — the village-strength aguardiente itself, unaged and uncut — and it sits in the same high-proof, high-character territory as Haitian clairin or Martinique's strongest agricoles, with a savory, mezcal-adjacent funk all its own. Browse more Oaxacan and Mexican cane spirits in our rum collection, and compare its wild side with the agave spirits in our mezcal shelves.

Tasting Notes

Pungent fresh sugarcane, grass, olive brine, mineral water and earthy funk on the nose; Mexican spice, pepper, vegetal cane, citrus and banana on the palate; a long, intense finish of green herbs, mineral notes and subtle smokiness. For a 70.3% spirit, the alcohol is remarkably well tucked in — the flavor, not the heat, does the talking.

How to Enjoy

Do as the village does: a small pour mixed with a splash of fresh cane juice — or take it neat in small sips, rested in the glass, if you drink clairin and high-proof agricole for pleasure. It also supercharges a daiquiri for drinkers who like their cane raw. More high-proof bottlings live across our spirits range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Cartier 30' mean?
It is a reading on the obsolete Cartier alcohol scale: 30 Cartier translates to roughly 70% ABV. It is not an age statement — this rum is unaged, bottled at still strength (this bottling's label reads 70.3% ABV).

Is anything added?
No. It is bottled at still strength with no sugar and no water added — fresh organic Java cane juice, naturally fermented and distilled, nothing else.

Who makes it?
The Krassel brothers (Hermanos Krassel) in Santa Maria Tlalixtac, Oaxaca, on the custom still their grandfather Max Krassel, a German immigrant, designed in the 1930s.

Secure Alambique Serrano Cartier 30 at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — village-strength Oaxacan cane spirit, untouched.