In memoriam to the late Maestro Rafael Méndez Cruz. (1954-2021)

“Don Rafa” was a maestro mezcalero, an outdoorsman, a farmer, but most notably he was a proud husband, a father to eleven children, and an especially generous friend and family man. Visitors to his home in San Luis del Río would be invited in like old friends and leave feeling like family. Don Rafa’s larger-than-life character and his exceptional skills as a mezcalero for over fifty years made him revered in his hometown and renowned throughout the mezcal world.