Brand Introduction
A mission-driven, social impact-driven company, Erstwhile is a boutique agave spirits importer based in Brooklyn, New York. Our mission: advocate for small, independent, family-owned producers who lack representation outside their local communities in Mexico; and bring their craft to mezcal lovers in international markets for the first time.
We work closely with our partner producers and set them up for success. No haggling. No exclusivity contracts. We guide producers through the complicated steps to export in their own names for the first time, and cover necessary expenses including local attorneys, accountants, license fees, and more. We absorb our producers’ marketing and supply chain costs as our own.
We believe in autonomy for producers, be it hiring their own workers or using their own bottling facility. We only step in if they want our help. We connect our partner producers to share knowledge and help each other in production.
Revenue from every Erstwhile bottle sold creates jobs in our partner producers’ and vendors’ local communities in Mexico. Our producers hire their own team of local men and women, on their own terms.
Erstwhile is a woman-owned, women-led business. Our team is multicultural and multilingual. We are outspoken about elevating underrepresented voices in Mezcal and our industry.
Erstwhile Bacon Pechuga (2021 Limited Edition)
Must-have for any serious mezcal collector. This Bacon Pechuga Mezcal is an all-women collaboration and 2021 Limited Release between Erstwhile Mezcal and the Hernández Women Mezcaleras from Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Only 300 liters made. Ripe mango, guava, pineapple, and bacon locally sourced in Oaxaca are the star ingredients. Three distillations total. Bacon is slow-steamed in the still for the last two distillations, giving an amazing creamy and smooth texture to each sip.