The Lost Explorer Mezcal Espadín, 70cl | Award Winning Artisanal Mezcal | 42%

Product Information

Data automation transforms revenue management by building trust. Esclapez noted, “In general, our teams cannot focus on the value-added operations without reliable, transparent and timely reporting data. Our financial systems consolidates and profitability data across jurisdictions. That’s important from a regulatory perspective, but also drives are pricing strategy, product allocations and market share pursuits. Such insight is critical for effective revenue management and business growth.” I found myself sitting in a hut with the tribesmen drinking chicha, a local concoction made from fermented corn, saliva and spices. It’s pretty punchy moonshine and I didn’t want to appear rude, so I drank a lot of it and was getting progressively merry. Our challenge and opportunity is to show that you can build a sustainable business that respects the craft, the culture, the people, the planet and bring this all together to be shared collectively through our community, whether you are someone who’s supplying in any step of this intricate process, someone who’s helping us cultivate and actually make the mezcal, or somebody who is part of the wider community, sipping the beautiful narrative of mezcal. Our enthusiasm and intentionality to not only produce something that’s good for consuming but is also good for the planet flows throughout the whole company.

To achieve that reach, the leadership team devised and implemented a data-driven marketing strategy aimed at both distributors and consumers. Our Salmiana expression meanwhile, which is harvested after 12 years, is like nothing I’ve ever tried before – it’s so sensual and gentle; it almost like a gin. It has a sweet and spicy profile with hints of green chilli, grapefruit and fresh agave. I’m particularly excited about it as it has so much character and is so unexpected. Don Fortino refined the recipe during early morning taco sessions. Investing in one of The Lost Explorer’s “luxury” mezcals, you are not just buying a bottle, but a piece of artwork, as well as supporting their choice of charities and efforts for sustainability. Like any business they still have profit targets and plans for expansion, which are challenging in this saturated market, without the addition of a high standard of sustainable practice. It remains to be seen if the expansion of the mezcal world can be tenable in general, but The Lost Explorer is in a strong position to pursue this dream, using its prestigious platform to lead the way as “the most sustainable brand in the world.” Complete list of The Lost Explorer projects and initiatives Like many brands, especially those formed outside of Mexico, The Lost Explorer is built on a foundation of privilege and Rothschild’s is to the high end of that privilege. However, there is credit due, given the extent of the work being done to focus on the sustainable agenda, both environmental and social. Maestro Ramos and his family are shareholders in the brand and there is an emphasis on their story, and that of mezcal (rather than Rothschild’s) throughout the presentation of The Lost Explorer. We have a huge supplier network for our agave plants, which take years before they’re ready to be harvested. Agave is a really clever plant; it’s full of sugar in the desert, which is devoid of life. Its spikes protect it from animals and it stores up all its sugars for its moment of procreation.

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It’s important to clear up two of the most common misconceptions about Mezcal. Firstly, Tequila is a specific type of Mezcal (made with the blue agave plant) and not the other way around. Secondly, Mezcal is not related to the hallucinogenic drug mescaline which is derived from the cactus plant. The agave plant is a succulent just like the cactus but they are different species; full marks to the South Americans though for finding so many fun ways to get high from such unlikely looking vegetation! If you can work in partnership with Nature, you’ll produce something brilliant. And that’s exactly what Fortino does, because he does it with such intentionality to respect the plant and the craft—it comes from the earth, from his hands, from his mind, his passion, his creativity, his ingenuity, his enthusiasm. We have a shared commitment and we decided that we are going to do something together that is meaningful to both of us. In partnership with award-winning Maestro Mezcalero Don Fortino Ramos, The Lost Explorer Mezcal is committed to the sustainable production of high-quality handcrafted mezcal in a manner that benefits the local mezcal-producing community in Oaxaca and protects the land’s biodiversity, with the long-term mission of becoming the most sustainable mezcal brand in the world. PRODUCT RANGE

We’ll work with what our audience wants, what barmen like, and what we can harvest sustainably. We’ll introduce limited edition blends down the line. Quality and attention to detail connect all three expressions. This wide span of agaves eligible for mezcal-making is what excites us most. There is an element of chase in pursuit of the varietal a mezcalero will select for his prized mezcal. More regions and more options of agave means more experimentation, greater nuances, and a big opportunity for biodiversity. TYPES OF MEZCAL Mezcal brand The Lost Explorer has launched a 200ml format ­of its Espadín, Tobalá, and Salmiana expressions to complement its core range of 700ml bottles. The Lost Explorer Mezcalitos will be available in Espadín, Tobala, and Salmaina expressions All industries are affected by global supply chain challenges. We ensure that we meet partners’ needs, carefully select our target markets and increase our logistics spend to avoid supply and sell-through disruption — that’s how to build the firm foundation that a leading brand requires,” Esclapez added. Choosing these projects to support was a joint management decision for The Lost Explorer team, working closely with the Voice for Nature Foundation. The Lost Explorer’s commitments come from a place of contributing beyond their own business goals and supporting a more sustainable future for the environment and communities of Oaxaca. These specific initiatives were chosen because they would have impact in the immediate short-term, but also longer-term, in addition to supporting the UN Sustainability Goals of Climate Action, Gender Equality and Economic Growth.

Those three principles connect concepts to cash flow, promote cross-functional collaboration and invigorate stakeholder relationships critical to lasting success. Top shelf

Mezcal is about discovery—it’s not handed to you on a platter. It had this allure to me—the provenance of the plant, its relationship to the ground and the earth, the smokiness, the artisanal craft. As you start to dig, you realize there’s this incredible heritage and story. I feel like there’s something really magical when you’re making the agave and you’re digging that pit, creating that fire, sitting around and waiting for days—the patience inbuilt to the process allows you to really connect. It still fascinates me to the point where I have become somewhat obsessed by it, which is why we find ourselves producing our mezcal today. I had a real love for Mexico and its culture, craft, heritage, and the depth of it all. With that inevitably came spending a lot of time there and meeting many friends. I was really touched by Fortino and his family when we met. We had this instant bond. I love the fact that whenever you arrive at Fortino’s, you sit down with the family, you have a meal, and you share stories before you do anything. The Lost Laboratory is currently germinating seeds of genetically diverse agave on distillery land and experimenting with replanting initiatives to help expand and scale their replanting program. Agave waste is also a big focus area within the production of mezcal. In addition to repurposing agave waste into fertilizer for the land, an initiative from last year was using agave waste to make copitas. This endeavor was overseen by Maestro Fortino’s daughter, mezcalera in the making, Xitlali Ramos. agave, wild crafted and artisan. There are three mezcal varietals in the range, each born from a process deeply in tune with the rhythm of nature: Espadín, Tobalá and Salmiana We’re aiming the brand at people who want to drink better. You can go out and have a drink or you can have an experience. The mezcal category is still quite fragmented and there aren’t any big players yet, so I hope The Lost Explorer becomes a new firm favourite. My wife is my harshest critic and it has passed the taste test with her. Proof Drinks will be putting it out into high-end hotel bars and restaurants in the UK.Beyond the smoke, the greatest contributor to the taste of a mezcal is the plant species it comes from. Each 30+ types of agave that can make mezcal each carry their own unique flavors, entrusted to the hands of the maestro mezcalero to discover how best to express them. One of the stages in production that specifically calls upon a mezcalero’s signature is the fermentation. Here, the mezcalero expertly determines the environment most optimal for the naturally occurring yeasts. Another key project actively supported by Lost Explorer is with Isla Urbana (via de Rothschild’s charity Voice for Nature Foundation). The Lost Explorer Mezcal is a handcrafted spirit cultivated on ancestral Miztec land in the sun-soaked Valles Centrales, Oaxaca. Harvested in harmony with the elements and in tune with the rhythm of nature, this small-batch artisanal mezcal invites people to Live Curiously and Celebrate the Earth, exploring the wonder and diversity of the sacred agave. The nuances in taste come from of course the different agave species themselves, but also the great sensitivities to the environment each plant has. The notion of “terroir” in wine also applies to mezcal, where the various agaves act as palettes for the earth they’re grown in. The many years the agaves take to mature means they experience many climate cycles and have a significant amount of time to soak up the characteristics of the region—the sun, aridity, altitude, soil composition, the neighboring plants sharing the soil.

Environmental sustainability is at the forefront of The Lost Explorer’s agenda (a complete list of these efforts are below). Examples of the brand commitments currently encompass rainwater conservation, the use of reclaimed wood, replanting at least three agaves for every agave distilled, up-cycling agave waste and using solar panels. These actions are researched and implemented through their in-house research space, the “Lost Laboratory.” The Espadín will remain our core variant, along with our two wild expressions, Salmiana and Tobalá, depending on what nature provides us with. We love exploring the tastes that come from the different agave strains, so we will look to include new strains and blends of those strains into the range in the future. Germinate seeds of genetically diverse agave on our distillery land and experimentation at The Lost LaboratoryThe 200ml flask edition of the bottle features the same sustainable design elements as the larger 700ml bottles, which are made from more than 55% recycled crystal scraps, and hand-sealed with biodegradable natural beeswax from Mexico. All production partners selected based on environmental ethos, quality and in support of Mexican enterprise The difference between mezcal and tequila? Clearly a lot of things. But really, we think the biggest marker comes down to patience, time and curiosity. We are inspired by the patience required in the process of mezcal-making and the play and curiosity that come with exploring the many species of agave you can experiment with. And while, generally, the time, labor, and expertise required to make mezcal results in it costing more than many tequilas, we happily embrace that there are no shortcuts.