Gusto Histórico, meaning “historic taste,” refers to the sense of heritage, locale, and flavor which can be experienced in the culinary culture of a specific community.  Gusto Histórico is also the new project from Marco Ochoa, the notorious co-founder of Oaxaca’s iconic mezcaleria, Mezcaloteca (and its export label, Mezcalosfera).

Working with maestros mezcaleros all over Mexico, Marco has devoted his life to preserving and sharing the cultural and agricultural diversity associated with mezcal. His new label brings his focus back home, exclusively sourcing batches from his own family tree, exploring the gusto histórico of the people and the place that raised him, among the mezcalero farmers of Miahuatlán, Oaxaca. With unique bottlings from Marco’s uncles, aunts, and cousins, the brand operates outside the constraints of mezcal’s Denomination of Origen (bottling instead as “spirits distilled from agave”), aiming instead to preserve true heritage agave distillates—spirits of Historic Taste—that transcend commercial categorization.

Every release is made up of a single tiny batch, by nature unique and irreplicable. Educational and delightful in equal parts, these spirits are a pleasure for the mind and the palate.