In memoriam to the late Maestro Rafael Méndez Cruz. (1953-2021)
“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.
Espadin from San Luis del Rio is a storied combination of plant and place in the mezcal realm. Batches of mezcal from this region are renowned, and Don Rafa’s skills as a true maestro tended to raise his lotes to the top of the top. As he grew older he focused more on distilling small batches of magnificent, wild mezcals like Tobalá, Madrecuishe, and the coveted Tepeztate.
Don Rafa understood his obligation to help ensure a healthy future for mezcal and his community. He strove to protect and perpetuate the ways of traditional mezcal production in San Luis del Río.He led a vigorous reforestation campaign which planted about a million baby agaves annually across the San Luis del Rio region. His exquisite mezcals are highly sought after and to meet that demand he would buy loads of fresh, ripe agaves from fellow farmers in the valley. This model helped uphold local economies and support his neighbors.
Lessons serve as legacies as one generation passes its knowledge onto the next. His memory is cared for by his wife Tia, and his dream of his sons taking up legacy has come true. Ivan and Paco continue to work the same family palenque they have their whole lives, but now their father is watching them from above, rather than working beside them.
"One must drink mezcal with their soul because it comes from the spirit of the maguey."
- Don Rafael Méndez Cruz.
