The Lost Explorer Mezcal Espadín, 70cl | Award Winning Artisanal Mezcal | 42%

Product Information

To achieve that reach, the leadership team devised and implemented a data-driven marketing strategy aimed at both distributors and consumers. Those three principles connect concepts to cash flow, promote cross-functional collaboration and invigorate stakeholder relationships critical to lasting success. Top shelf The Lost Explorer Mezcal is a handcrafted spirit cultivated on ancestral Miztec land in the sun-soaked Valles Centrales, Oaxaca. Harvested in harmony with the elements and in tune with the rhythm of nature, this small-batch artisanal mezcal invites people to Live Curiously and Celebrate the Earth, exploring the wonder and diversity of the sacred agave.

Aiming to improve gender equality The Lost Explorer Mezcal is partnering with the non-profit organization SiKanda and its Mujeres AVE program that provides ‘Make Your Business Grow’ seed capital funding for essential supplies & equipment to women-led businesses. Mujeres AVE is based in the Zaachila Oriente area, where the largest garbage dump in the state of Oaxaca is located. They provide tools and a safe space to promote the participation, empowerment, autonomy and agency of women, to improve the operation of their micro-businesses and increase their income and well-being. Data automation transforms revenue management by building trust. Esclapez noted, “In general, our teams cannot focus on the value-added operations without reliable, transparent and timely reporting data. Our financial systems consolidates and profitability data across jurisdictions. That’s important from a regulatory perspective, but also drives are pricing strategy, product allocations and market share pursuits. Such insight is critical for effective revenue management and business growth.” We’re also interested in making vintage mezcals, where we can pre-sell certain vintages and play with limited editions in a similar way to wine.

The idea of The Lost Explorer began with adventurer, David de Rothschild, of the de Rothschild banking family, as a broad and eclectic selection of “luxury/expensive” items that included mezcal. The products were inspired by treasures he had collected during his time exploring the world. He describes the underlying theme of this collection as “nature and curiosity,” words that are repeated throughout statements about the Lost Explorer mezcal since its launch in 2020. “We embrace curiosity as a fundamental human sense, letting it guide us in our quest to more deeply understand mezcal, the earth and each other.” I’ve worked with big brands for 20 years in the sustainable space, advising companies like Levis on how to use less water in the production of their jeans. I wanted to develop my own sustainable product with sharing at its heart. There’s still a lot of disposability in the sustainable space, but I feel there’s a savouring and a depth to the mezcal experience. The goal was to make the best mezcal. It’s important to clear up two of the most common misconceptions about Mezcal. Firstly, Tequila is a specific type of Mezcal (made with the blue agave plant) and not the other way around. Secondly, Mezcal is not related to the hallucinogenic drug mescaline which is derived from the cactus plant. The agave plant is a succulent just like the cactus but they are different species; full marks to the South Americans though for finding so many fun ways to get high from such unlikely looking vegetation! For The Lost Explorer Mezcal, Maestro Don Fortino Ramos plays close attention to the fermentation environment to ensure the light is just right (warm, soft, diffuse), the energy is good, vibes are flowing, and the music classical. Don Fortino also has determined the optimal bottling strength for The Lost Explorer Mezcal to sit right at 42% ABV. According to NOM legislation, mezcal must be between 36% and 55% alcohol by volume (ABV). A key skill of the Maestro Mezcalero is knowing when and where to make the cut. For The Lost Explorer, this specific bottling strength is very much a signature style that offers the perfect balance of raw ingredients and alcohol. It produces a smooth, well-balanced and elegant flavor, that allows the full complexity of the agave to shine through. I had a real love for Mexico and its culture, craft, heritage, and the depth of it all. With that inevitably came spending a lot of time there and meeting many friends. I was really touched by Fortino and his family when we met. We had this instant bond. I love the fact that whenever you arrive at Fortino’s, you sit down with the family, you have a meal, and you share stories before you do anything.

The Lost Explorer mezcal is produced by Maestro Fortino Ramos, in San Pablo Huixtepec, Oaxaca. A first generation mezcalero, he has been making agave spirits for the past forty years. Now his daughter Xitlali is alongside him, learning the craft and working closely with The Lost Explorer brand. Together they are pursuing specific goals to support local economic growth and gender equality, while combating climate change. This wide span of agaves eligible for mezcal-making is what excites us most. There is an element of chase in pursuit of the varietal a mezcalero will select for his prized mezcal. More regions and more options of agave means more experimentation, greater nuances, and a big opportunity for biodiversity. TYPES OF MEZCAL agave, wild crafted and artisan. There are three mezcal varietals in the range, each born from a process deeply in tune with the rhythm of nature: Espadín, Tobalá and Salmiana While Espadín is the most commonly sourced varietal for mezcal and thus is now less commonly wild-harvested, many of the other wild, rarer varietals—such as Tobalá and Salmiana—involve the time- and labor-intensive process of foraging from their hardscrabble habitats.

All industries are affected by global supply chain challenges. We ensure that we meet partners’ needs, carefully select our target markets and increase our logistics spend to avoid supply and sell-through disruption — that’s how to build the firm foundation that a leading brand requires,” Esclapez added. That fledgling ambition required a leadership team that could navigate the pandemic’s severe distribution detours and unexpected marketing hurdles.