Valentín Cortes is eldest son of Don José, and along with his brothers they represents the fifth generation of Cortés family mezcaleros. Born and raised in Santiago Matatlán, Don Valentín has been working with mezcal since he was a young teenager. Valentín’s impeccable eye for detail, commitment to quality, and immense knowledge for his craft, helped elevate his personal reputation and his family’s mezcales to international notoriety. With over 40 years of experience and success, he has solidified his status as one of Matalán’s finest mezcaleros. His new ventures with his son Asis, and their partners in Durango, ensures that Valentin’s impact on the mezcal world will not only survive, but expand far beyond the borders of his home state of Oaxaca.

Asis Cortés is the grandson of Don José, and the eldest son of Valentín Cortés. Asis grew up on his family's palenque in Santiago Matatlán, later studying design and marketing in Oaxaca City. In his twenties, Asis became a prominent figure in his family’s business, working as Casa Cortés, chief graphic designer. He created the iconic abstract imagery that would become synonymous with his family’s renowned mezcales. Asis also travelled the world as an ambassador of Casa Cortés, educating the wider world on mezcal, its ancient backstory and his family’s role in that history. Steeped in knowledge, Asis is well-known and respected in the global mezcal community for his spiritual and artistic approach to understanding and sharing the importance of mezcal culture.