Aguascalientes mezcal: salmiana, estancos and local producers

Salmiana agaves and small distilleries known as estancos characterize Aguascalientes’ distilling tradition. The denomination fieldwork found salmiana prominent in the areas surveyed, alongside espadín and other local agaves.

The northern and eastern estancos share a plateau tradition

Rural production continues in Cosío, Rincón de Romos, Asientos, Tepezalá and El Llano, according to the denomination application’s historical account. Dry plains, hills and mountain ranges support wild agaves as well as cultivated stands. Salmiana is also distilled in neighboring Zacatecas and across the wider central plateau. ¹

Small distilleries are called estancos. Families interviewed for the application recalled grandparents distilling in secluded places during periods of prohibition.

Salmiana was the most prominent agave in the growing and gathering areas visited for Aguascalientes’ denomination application. The fieldwork covered eight such areas, eight production units and thirteen interviews across seven municipalities; espadín and other local agaves were also recorded. ¹

Estancos use a variety of ovens and stills

The surveyed estancos used stone lined conical or masonry ovens, animal or human powered tahonas, and wooden or stainless steel fermentation vessels. The field account records copper, steel and clay distilling apparatus, including alembic stills.

Local businesses seek training and market access

Local businesses include El Asentense, En Tres Cerros, Tres Recuerdos and Mezcal Tres Sentidos. They joined a May 2026 state agriculture department meeting on training, equipment, certification and market access. ⁴

The April 2025 resolution names seven municipalities

The resolution published on 28 April 2025 names Aguascalientes, Asientos, Calvillo, Cosío, El Llano, Rincón de Romos and Tepezalá. Its text revisits the state’s 2018 inclusion after legal proceedings and additional evidence.

The April 2025 decision was challenged. On 27 May 2025, Quadratín reported that Oaxacan industry groups had sought administrative review on 21 May and filed an amparo on 22 May in Mexico City’s Twelfth Administrative District Court. Their announcement described a request for a suspension, with the judge still to decide. ⁵

In September 2026, the state government continued to describe the seven municipalities as having the denomination. The later court rulings and their current effect on authorizations remain unconfirmed. For a particular bottle, check the producer’s current authorization and the product’s certification with IMPI and its certifier. ⁶

COMERCAM’s 2025 certified-production table does not list Aguascalientes separately. It supplies no estimate for the state’s wider local agave-spirit production. ⁷

Two local producer examples

Destilería Real de Calvillo: guava and espadín

Said Tapia started Destilería Real de Calvillo with fourteen hectares of espadín. The business produces Intruso and Caye Chenu, incorporating guava fruit during fermentation and guava leaves during distillation. ²

The distillery offers field visits, tastings and food pairings. Contact it for current visiting arrangements.

Veneno del Alma in El Llano

Veneno del Alma comes from El Llano. A November 2025 report identifies Nizyen Yael Mateo as its creator and records an award at Copa Mundo Agave. ³

Questions about Aguascalientes mezcal

Is salmiana the only agave used in Aguascalientes?

No. Salmiana is prominent in the regional fieldwork, which also records espadín and other local agaves.

How does Destilería Real de Calvillo use guava?

Destilería Real de Calvillo uses guava fruit during fermentation and guava leaves during distillation. Its labels include Intruso and Caye Chenu.

Does the April 2025 resolution name every Aguascalientes municipality?

No. The April 2025 resolution names seven of Aguascalientes’ eleven municipalities.

Compare neighboring salmiana traditions

Continue through San Luis Potosí, the plateau and southern valleys of Zacatecas, and the hacienda traditions of Guanajuato.