Among the originators of the celebrity alcohol brand, Sammy Hagar and his partner in Santo Spirits, Guy Fieri, have reintroduced Santo Mezquila.
First launched in 2017 with limited distribution, Santo Mezquila is a blend of tequila and mezcal.
It’s now available in all 50 states, Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico, with a new, refreshed look.
“I launched Santo Mezquila as my long-awaited return to agave spirits after the sale of Cabo Wabo to Campari Group,” says Hagar. “My vision was to create something that was totally different, packed with personality, but still created using very traditional techniques that let the agave and a light smoke essence shine through. I like to say ‘Where there is the right amount of smoke, there is flavor.’”
Santo Mezquila starts with Santo’s additive-free, 100% agave blanco highland tequila produced by third-generation distiller Juan Eduardo Nuñez and tequilera Karina Rojo at El Viejito Distillery (NOM 1107) in Atotonilco el Alto, Jalisco. The tequila is then blended with joven mezcal made in Oaxaca.
The resulting spirit is meant as an entry point for drinkers who are curious about mezcal but not ready to take the leap into the smokiest end of the flavor spectrum.
“I’m not a fan of big, smoky mezcals, which can overpower your tastebuds,” says Hagar. “It was a full year of receiving samples from Juan Eduardo before we felt the blend was right, capturing the bold, agave-forward signature note of Santo Tequila accompanied by a pronounced, but not overbearing, essence of smoke.”
Santo Mezquila is 80 proof. It retails for $69.99 for a 750-ml. bottle at spirits retails and online at santospirit.com.
