Sierra Norte Black Corn Mexican Whiskey

Sierra Norte Black Corn Mexican Whiskey is a 45% ABV (90-proof), 750mL single-barrel whiskey distilled in Oaxaca, Mexico from rare native black heirloom corn — a variety grown for generations by traditional Oaxacan farmers and almost never seen in whiskey. The mash of 85% black heirloom corn and 15% malted barley is openly fermented with natural yeast, distilled twice (stainless pot still, then slow copper pot still), and aged a minimum of two years in French oak under master distiller Douglas French. Each bottle carries its barrel and bottle number. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

• ABV: 45% (90 proof)
• Size: 750mL, single-barrel bottling
• Aging: Minimum 2 years in French oak barrels (current brand materials)
• Origin: Distilled and bottled by Scorpion Mezcal S.A. de C.V., San Agustin de las Juntas, Oaxaca, Mexico
• Production: 85% native Oaxacan black heirloom corn, 15% malted barley; open fermentation with natural yeast; double-distilled in pot stills

Mexico's Ancient Corn, Reimagined as Whiskey

Sierra Norte is the whiskey arm of Scorpion Mezcal, and its pitch is simple: Oaxacan heirloom corn has flavor that commodity grain can't touch. The black corn is a non-GMO ancestral variety, milled fresh, fermented open with wild yeast in stainless vats, then run through a stainless pot still and a second slow pass through copper — the same patient approach the French family takes with its mezcals. Two-plus years in French oak rounds the edges without muting the corn's earthy, cocoa-tinged character. Among international whiskies, almost nothing else starts from ancient maize.

Tasting Notes

Earthy black-corn sweetness on the nose — roasted maize, cocoa powder, a little cinnamon — over toasted French oak. The palate is full and chewy: dark caramel, dried fig, clove and a hint of smoke-tinged oak, with the corn's density giving it unusual weight for a 90-proof pour. The finish is long and warming, fading on baking spice and sweet oak.

How to Enjoy

Neat to meet the corn character head-on, or with a single large cube. It stands up well in a bold Old Fashioned or alongside grilled meats and mole dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sierra Norte Black Corn Whiskey made from?
An 85% black heirloom corn / 15% malted barley mash. The black corn is a rare ancestral Oaxacan variety — not a color additive.

Is Sierra Norte whiskey really from Mexico?
Yes — distilled and bottled in San Agustin de las Juntas, Oaxaca, Mexico by Scorpion Mezcal S.A. de C.V., then imported to the US.

How long is Sierra Norte Black Corn aged?
A minimum of two years in French oak barrels, per the brand's current materials; it is a single-barrel bottling, so each barrel is bottled individually.

Where can I buy Sierra Norte Black Corn Whiskey online?
This 750mL single-barrel bottle is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor — it ships from San Diego, CA.

Ancient Oaxacan corn, French oak, single barrels — buy Sierra Norte Black Corn Mexican Whiskey online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.