Erstwhile Madre Cuishe 2021 is a limited-edition ancestral agave spirit from Oaxaca, made from madre cuishe agave, distilled in clay pots and bottled at 48% ABV.
This 2021 Ancestral Limited Release is a legacy of the era when mezcal production was illegal in Oaxaca, and it rescues a García family tradition that had been forgotten for more than forty years. In the 1960s and 1970s, Don Lencho, father of mezcalero Silverio García, used a hollowed-out quiote, the flowering stalk of the agave, as his distillation tube instead of copper, to evade the soldiers who would come and seize distillation equipment by force.
This release revives that method: the spirit is distilled in clay pots, with a distillation tube made from quiote rather than metal.
With its vividly illustrated label and a story rooted in Oaxacan history, it is a remarkable gift for serious agave lovers.
Sip it slowly from a copita at room temperature.
Mezcal is made by roasting agave hearts, traditionally in earthen pits, then crushing, fermenting and distilling them, a process that gives the spirit its characteristic smoky depth. Each agave variety and each village brings its own character, which is why enthusiasts love exploring small-batch bottlings.
Mezcal and other agave spirits are traditionally sipped from a copita or a small clay cup, in small sips, often alongside orange slices dusted with sal de gusano. Many are made in tiny batches by individual families, so each bottle is a snapshot of a particular place, agave and season.
Tasting Notes
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Agave: Madre cuishe (Agave karwinskii).
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Still: Clay pot, with a quiote distillation tube.
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Tradition: Revived García family method from the 1960s and 70s.
Specifications
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Producer: Silverio García for Erstwhile
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Style: Ancestral Agave Spirit, Joven, Limited Edition 2021
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Agave: Madre cuishe
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Distillation: Clay pot, quiote tube
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Proof / ABV: 96 proof (48% ABV)
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Region: Oaxaca, Mexico
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat from a copita at room temperature. It pairs with orange slices, mole or grilled vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quiote tube?
A hollowed agave flower stalk used instead of a copper tube to carry the distillate.
Why was it used?
To evade soldiers who seized distillation equipment when mezcal was illegal.
Is it mezcal?
It is labelled as an artisanal agave spirit, made by the ancestral method.
Explore more in our Tequila collection.
