History

Craft Distillers has been described as a collaboration between Hector Vasquez de Abarca, who for many years led production at Los Danzantes, and Ansley Coale, importer of mezcal and raicilla and creator of the Mezcalero brand. The aim of the project is to discover, bottle, and represent excellent agave-distilled spirits with the intention of preserving the communities and cultures from which these spirits originate. According to the site, community and culture are the deeper perspective underpinning these human achievements, but they are threatened by rapid commercialization.

Production / Manufacturing

Craft Distillers focuses on craft-method distillation, which means handmade production. Each label and each bottle reflects the creative individuality of a single person who works with small hand-operated equipment; the distiller's craft and experience play a central role in how the spirit comes together. Emphasis is placed on authenticity, personal attention, and love of the work, and there is a network of distillers and cellar hands with whom the company works (e.g., Karina Abad Rojas of Los Nahuales/Alipús/Mezcalero).

In addition to mezcal and raicilla, Craft Distillers also markets whiskies through the Low Gap series and The Exceptional line, as examples of craftsmanship in different grain, malt, and blended categories. Some of the technical details mentioned in the material include: - Mezcalero: single-batch, at least 50% wild agave used in the distillation; distillation and bottling in small family distilleries. - The craft-method's human element and the uniqueness of each distiller connection are described as the core of the production and of preserving authenticity.

Products / Whisky Series

The Low Gap Whisky Series includes the following products (all mentioned in the material): - Low Gap Barrel Strength Rye — Rye whiskey, 63% ABV. - Low Gap Straight Bourbon — Bourbon, 43.25% ABV; mash bill: 65% corn, 20% malted barley, 15% malted rye; aged two years in new bourbon barrels. - Low Gap 4 YR Wheat Whiskey — Wheat whiskey, 45.5% ABV; blend of four- and five-year-old wheat whiskeys distilled in 2010 and 2011; aged in various casks (new bourbon barrels, used cognac casks and port casks). - Low Gap 3 YR Blended Whiskey — Blended Whisky, 46% ABV; malted corn and malted barley; aged in used Van Winkle casks and new Missouri oak casks. - The Exceptional Grain, Batch 2 — Grain Whisky (single batch from the The Exceptional category). - The Exceptional Malt, Batch 3 — Malt Whisky (single batch from the The Exceptional category). - The Exceptional Blend, Batch 2 — Blended Whisky, 43% ABV; a blend of different whiskies.

Visits / Experiences

The material documents the use of brand videos and various marketing tools related to the distributor network. Distiller profiles and stories from producers such as Karina Abad and Heladio Lopez are also mentioned, as well as the brands Los Nahuales and Mezcalero, which provides a picture of the human stories and experiences behind the production.

Philosophy

The philosophy behind Craft Distillers is craft-method distillation as a defense against mass-produced spirits. Handmade work, the individual distiller's influence, and love of the craft create authentic spirits, where you can feel the distiller's craft and talent in every bottle. The company's mission is to represent the distillers' work accurately and without resorting to misleading hype.