History

From the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, Dry Point Distillers honors the arid peaks that border our lush floodplain. We are proud to bring classic flavors with a local twist in our handcrafted spirits and in cocktails served at our Mesilla Cocktail Bar. The history follows a father and son, Stefan and Chris Schaefer, who started with a fuel-alcohol distilling permit and a vow to use the distillation products only for home-use equipment. After developing their process and carefully selecting raw materials, Dry Point Distillers opened as a craft micro-distillery. Inspired by our desert and the nearby mountains, they began experimenting with a range of local fermentable products and running the distillation in small batches to preserve a high quality. Being based in the Mesilla Valley has shaped our name and our desire to encapsulate the desert's depth in a bottle. Over the years, collaborations and local ingredients have become central to our beverages and philosophy.

Production / Manufacturing

Dry Point Distillers propagates top-quality spirits in small batches and maintains a strict, controlled approach to distinctive flavors. We are craft distillers with a strong commitment to quality, manifested through a handcrafted process. We avoid compromises in our vision and prefer traditional methods over chasing efficiency. Our handmade process, partly automated in larger companies, is largely carried out by hand. We follow a farm-to-bottle ethic and support our local community by using local ingredients whenever possible.

Products / Whisky Series

Whisky Selection

• Blue Corn Bourbon Whiskey – Distilled from corn and aged in American white oak barrels; delivers the NM version of a classic American bourbon. Described as a bourbon variant derived from New Mexico corn.
• Dry Spell Bourbon Whiskey – A premium bourbon, selected for its complexity and drinkability.
• Pistol Pete’s Six-Shooter Rye Whiskey – A collaboration with New Mexico State University and the country’s first collegiate-licensed spirit.
• Mesa Vodka – Clear and pure, through multiple distillation processes and finally purified in a charcoal filtration to ensure a clean and smooth spirit, which can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails.
• Monsoon Gin – Not a whiskey, but our citrus profile and botanical balance contribute to our overall portfolio of handcrafted spirits.
• Barrel Aged Gin – Steam-infused with 8 botanicals and aged in brandy casks for 7 months to yield citrus and floral nuances.
• Slow Desert Agave Spirit (Mezcal) – 100% wild-harvested Mezcal, enjoyed neat or in cocktails; produced in collaboration with Apaluz Distillery and imported as Desert Desert Agave Spirit.
• Desert Sotol – Handcrafted in Aldama, Chihuahua, MX, made from Dasylirion wheeleri and historically inspired, with smoky and earthy notes.

Notes

• We also collaborate with Mezcal, Tequila, and Sotol producers in Mexico to offer Slow Desert Agave Spirit, Sundown Tequilas, and Desert Sotol.
• Packages are available in-store and at our partner locations throughout New Mexico.

Visits / Experiences

• Our bar is located in Mesilla – on Calle de Alvarez north of Mesilla, opposite D.H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro. We offer cocktails, beer, and food from Stone Crow Gourmet Tuesday through Saturday; dinner menu Wednesday through Saturday. Opening hours include Wednesday and Thursday 16-22, Friday 16-23, Saturday 16-23 with age restrictions after 19.
• We offer guided tours of the Dry Point distillery (15–60 minutes) and private events in our tasting room for up to 20 people; for larger events we can use the Dona Ana Arts Council's room for up to 90 people. For dates, groups and pricing, contact Chris at chris@drypointdistillersnm.com.
• We also offer permanent tastings and promote regular events and tastings via Instagram.

Philosophy

We combine the desert spirit with local ingredients and a tight focus on quality. Our farm-to-bottle ethic and our commitment to sustainability drive our approach to sourcing and production. We collaborate with the local community and stay committed to a craft-based process where tradition meets innovation. We place emphasis on preserving culture and history through our products and partnerships, including our work with Mezcal, Tequila, and Sotol producers.