Sierra Norte Red Corn Mexican Whiskey
Sierra Norte Red Corn Mexican Whiskey is a 90-proof (45% ABV), 750mL single-barrel whiskey from the Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico — distilled from 85% native Oaxacan red corn and 15% malted barley, then aged a minimum of 2 years in French oak barrels. Made by mezcalero Douglas French at Scorpion Mezcal S.A. de C.V., it earned 88 points from Whisky Advocate's Jonny McCormick. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA, and taste what heirloom Mexican corn can do in a whiskey glass.
- ABV: 45% (90 proof)
- Size: 750mL, single-barrel bottling
- Aging: Minimum 2 years in French oak barrels
- Mash bill: 85% native Oaxacan red corn (heirloom, hand-selected) / 15% malted barley
- Distillation: Hammer-milled, open stainless fermentation with natural yeast; stainless pot still, then slow copper pot still
- Origin: San Agustín de las Juntas, Oaxaca, Mexico — distilled by Scorpion Mezcal S.A. de C.V., imported by Caballeros Inc.
Yes, Mexico Makes Whiskey — From Corn Older Than Bourbon
Long before corn whiskey crossed the American frontier, the indigenous peoples of Oaxaca were cultivating native corn varieties in the Sierra Norte mountains. Sierra Norte whiskey starts with that heirloom red corn — hand-selected, hammer-milled, and fermented with natural yeast — then distills it slowly through copper pot stills under master distiller Douglas French, a mezcalero who treats corn whiskey with a mezcal-maker's patience. The result is bottled one barrel at a time and shipped north by importer Caballeros Inc. Explore more world whiskey and the full Sierra Norte range.
Tasting Notes
The nose is dry and spicy — graham cracker, cornbread, red licorice, and buttered corn under a cloud of baking spice. The palate is a big mouthful: fruit concentrate, red bell pepper, baked orange, clove, star anise, peppercorn, and toffee. The finish runs slightly vegetal, with lingering clove and star anise spice.
How to Enjoy
Neat to appreciate the red-corn character, or with a few drops of water to open the spice. It makes a fascinating Old Fashioned — the cornbread-and-pepper notes play beautifully with bitters — and stands up well in a whiskey sour or a high-rye-style Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there whiskey from Mexico?
Yes — a small but serious category. Sierra Norte is the best-known Mexican whiskey, distilled in Oaxaca from native heirloom corn (red, yellow, white, and black expressions) and aged in oak, just like American whiskey.
What is Sierra Norte Red Corn whiskey made from?
85% native Oaxacan red corn — an heirloom variety hand-selected in the Sierra Norte mountains — plus 15% malted barley. It's fermented with natural yeast and double pot distilled.
Is Sierra Norte single barrel?
Yes — each bottling of the Red Corn expression comes from a single barrel, so subtle variation between bottles is part of the experience.
Add a bottle to your cart at Del Mesa Liquor — San Diego's source for the world's most interesting whiskeys, delivered to your door.