El Buho Mezcal

What El Buho Mezcal does

El Buho Mezcal is a Brooklyn, NY-based artisanal mezcal brand and DBA of Henry Steele Imports LLC, founded in 2008 (importing entity) and 2010 (brand) by chef TJ Steele. The company sells a portfolio of ~12+ single-varietal mezcals — including Espadin (the flagship, in 375ml and 1L formats), Jabali, Tepeztate, Mango, Mexicano, Extra Añejo, Arroqueño, Espadin Puro Capón, Cuishe, Tobala-Espadin ensamble, Ensamble, and Pulquero — alongside branded apparel and merchandise. All mezcal is exclusively produced by the Jimenez Mendez family, 5th-generation mezcaleros operating Don Isaac Distillery (est. 1880) in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico, using traditional methods: stone-oven agave roasting, horse-drawn tahona crushing, wild-yeast fermentation in pine vats, and double copper-pot still distillation.

The company operates as a thin, founder-owned importer-marketer rather than a vertically integrated producer. It reaches US consumers through two parallel channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on elbuhomezcal.com, powered by BevBridge Marketing Inc. and routed through licensed third-party retailers for fulfillment; and wholesale distribution to specialty wine, beer, and spirits retailers (wine.com, Batch 13, Ferment and Still, Old Town Tequila, Flaviar, Caskers, Third Base Market and Spirits, FreshDirect, and others). Brand-building leans on Instagram, Facebook, a cocktail-recipe library (Negroni, El Paisano, El Burro, etc.), press coverage (Esquire Magazine endorsement), and in-store tastings.

The business is bootstrapped with 1-10 employees, no institutional investors, and US-only operations. Revenue and headcount trends are undisclosed. Expansion in recent years has come through product-line breadth (new wild-agave varietals, the Especial limited-edition collection, 1-liter Espadin launch in mid-2025), production-side scale-up from three to four artisanal factories in Oaxaca, and a branded apparel line introduced in 2024. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; alcohol sales are non-refundable per state and federal law, and merchandise ships at flat rates (e.g., $2.57 per hoodie).

Name

El Buho Mezcal

Legal name

Henry Steele Imports LLC

Website

https://elbuhomezcal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

El Buho Mezcal is a Brooklyn-based brand importing and distributing artisanal mezcal exclusively produced by the Jimenez Mendez family, 5th-generation mezcaleros in Oaxaca, Mexico, selling single-varietal mezcals and merchandise to US consumers via specialty retailers and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Artisanal Mezcal

NAICS

Distilleries (31214), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Distilled Spirits Production & Distilling (AFAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC), Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Inventory-led Online Retailers (CRAFADAO), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Artisanal mezcal production
• Premium craft spirits
• Wild agave distillates
• Single-varietal mezcal
• Spirits brand apparel

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Mezcal Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of artisanal mezcal products through the company's e-commerce platform, powered by BevBridge Marketing Inc. Sales fulfilled by licensed third-party retailers.
2. Retail Distribution: Wholesale/retail distribution through specialty wine, beer, and spirits retailers including wine.com, Batch 13, Ferment and Still, Old Town Tequila, Flaviar, and others.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, bandanas, and tanks through the company's website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

El Buho Mezcal produces and sells a portfolio of artisanal 100% agave mezcal spirits, manufactured exclusively by the 5th-generation Jimenez Mendez family at Don Isaac Distillery (est. 1880) in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, using traditional stone-oven cooking, wild-yeast pine-vat fermentation, horse-drawn tahona mashing, and double copper pot distillation. The range spans cultivated Espadin (375ml and 1L formats) and the Especial limited-edition single-varietal collection in hand-pressed glass bottles (Jabali, Tepeztate, Pulquero, Cuishe, Mexicano, Arroqueño, Mango, Tobala-Espadin, Extra Añejo, Espadin Puro Capón, Ensamble). The brand also sells co-branded apparel and merchandise (bandanas, t-shirts, hoodies, tanks) through its U.S. e-commerce storefront.

Product overview

El Buho Mezcal is a portfolio of artisanal mezcal spirits produced exclusively by the Jimenez Mendez family, 5th-generation mezcaleros, in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, Mexico. The brand, founded in 2010 by Brooklyn-based chef TJ Steele and distributed by Henry Steele Imports (founded 2008), offers a diverse range of single-varietal mezcales across two primary collections: the core Espadin line (available in 375ml and 1L formats) as the flagship offering, and the Especial limited-edition collection of handmade mezcales in handpressed glass featuring rare and wild agave varietals including Jabali, Tepeztate, Mango, Mexicano, Extra Añejo, Arroqueño, Espadin Puro Capón, Cuishe, Tobala-Espadin (ensamble), Ensamble, and Pulquero. Production employs traditional methods: stone-oven roasting, wild-yeast fermentation in pine vats, horse-drawn tahona mashing, and double copper pot still distillation. The brand also sells branded apparel and merchandise (bandanas, t-shirts, hoodies, tanks) through its online store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Espadin 375ml Flagship 375ml artisanal mezcal made from cultivated Agave Angustifolia (Espadin) with light roast and smoke on the nose, medium body, and notes of caramel, red apple, and coffee; stone-roasted approximately 7 days, 10-day wild-yeast pine-vat fermentation, horse-drawn tahona mash, double copper-pot distillation; 45% Alc./Vol.; produced by Maestro Mezcalero Octavio Jimenez Monterroza.
• Espadin 1L Flagship Espadin artisanal mezcal in a 1-liter format, double copper-pot distilled with no aging, light roast and smoke on the nose, medium body and pronounced caramel, red apple, and coffee notes; produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Jabali Artisanal mezcal made from the rare and wild Jabali (Agave convulneraria) agave varietal, produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Tepeztate Artisanal mezcal made from the wild Tepeztate (Agave marmorata) agave, one of the rare and mystical agave varietals produced by the 5th-generation Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Mango Mezcal Artisanal mezcal featuring mango-infused flavor notes, one of the unique varietal expressions from the El Buho portfolio produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Mexicano Artisanal mezcal made from the Mexicano agave varietal, a rare and wild species from the portfolio of limited-production mezcales produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Extra Añejo Extra Añejo mezcal aged for an extended period, the premium aged expression in the El Buho portfolio produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Arroqueño Artisanal mezcal made from the wild Arroqueño (Agave rhodacantha) agave, one of the rare agave species produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Espadin Puro Capón Special expression of Espadin mezcal made from the cultivated Capón agave, produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Cuishe Artisanal mezcal made from the wild Cuishe (Agave durangensis) agave, a rare species in the El Buho portfolio produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca.
• Tobala-Espadin Ensamble Ensamble mezcal blending 85% wild Agave Potatorum (Tobala) with 15% cultivated Agave Angustifolia (Espadin); stone-roasted ~4 days, 9-day pine-vat fermentation, 6-month stainless-steel rest; tasting notes of tropical fruit, sea salt, caramelized pineapple, and buttered popcorn; 47% Alc./Vol.; produced in Santa Maria Zoquitlan, Oaxaca.
• Ensamble Ensamble mezcal blending multiple agave varietals, produced by the Jimenez Mendez family in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, representing one of the rare and wild agave expressions in the El Buho portfolio.
• Pulquero Artisanal mezcal made from wild Agave Americana sourced from Don Tito, a pulquero in Santiago Matatlan; agave matures at 15-20 years (the same plant used to produce pulque); chalky nose with dry lactose, green fruit, minerals and sea salt on the palate; crystal clear with small tight perlas; 48% Alc./Vol.
• Especial Limited-Edition Collection Limited-edition handmade mezcals presented in handpressed glass bottles, released only in small batches; the collection encompasses Jabali, Tepeztate, Mango, Mexicano, Extra Añejo, Tobala-Espadin, Arroqueño, Espadin Puro Capón, Pulquero, Cuishe, and Ensamble varietals.
• El Buho Bandana (Black) Branded bandana in black, 100% premium cotton, 22" x 22"; part of the El Buho branded merchandise line.
• El Buho Bandana (White/Black) Branded bandana in white/black, 100% premium cotton, 22" x 22"; part of the El Buho branded merchandise line.
• Six Generations T-Shirt (Black) Branded t-shirt featuring the Six Generations design in black/white colorway; part of the El Buho branded merchandise line.
• 100% Agave T-Shirt (Teal) Branded t-shirt featuring the 100% Agave design in teal, Bella Canvas Unisex Jersey fabric; part of the El Buho branded merchandise line.
• Feather Hoodie (Black) Branded hoodie in black, Bella Canvas Unisex Sponge Fleece Pullover; flat-rate shipping $2.57; part of the El Buho branded merchandise line.
• Buhorita Tank (Gray) Branded women's spaghetti-strap tank in gray, Bella+Canvas Women's Spaghetti Strap Tank; part of the El Buho branded merchandise line.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% Agave - All El Buho mezcal products are certified 100% agave with no additives.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• BevBridge Marketing Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationBevBridge Marketing Inc. powers the El Buho Mezcal e-commerce platform, enabling direct-to-consumer sales through their website. The platform connects customers with licensed third-party retailers who fulfill orders. BevBridge handles order processing, payment processing, and shipping coordination.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Del Maguey: Single-village artisanal mezcal brand founded in Oaxaca, focused on traditional production methods across multiple wild agave expressions. Closest comparable to El Buho on heritage, artisanal positioning, and SKU breadth.
• Bozal Mezcal: Artisanal mezcal brand specializing in rare and wild agave varietals from Oaxaca. Directly comparable on wild-agave portfolio emphasis and craft positioning.
• Mezcal Vago: Small-batch artisanal mezcal sourced from multiple Oaxacan producer families using traditional methods. Comparable on family-producer model and authentic positioning.
• Nuestra Soledad: Single-village artisanal mezcal highlighting terroir-driven Oaxacan production across multiple expressions. Comparable on village-level provenance and traditional distillation.
• Alipus Mezcal: Artisanal mezcal sourced from small Oaxacan family distilleries with traditional production. Closely mirrors El Buho's family-producer model and craft positioning.
• Fidencio Mezcal: Traditional artisanal mezcal produced in Oaxaca with a focus on wild agave varietals and authentic methods. Comparable on product mix and craft ethos.
• Ilegal Mezcal: Artisanal Oaxacan mezcal brand with broad US distribution across on-premise and specialty retail. Comparable on craft positioning at slightly larger scale.
• 400 Conejos: Traditional Oaxacan mezcal brand with multiple agave expressions positioned for craft cocktail and on-premise use. Comparable on portfolio breadth and artisanal production.

Broad incumbents

• Casamigos Mezcal: Celebrity-founded premium mezcal now owned by Diageo, distributed nationally with significant marketing budget. Comparable premium positioning but at vastly greater scale and capital base.
• Clase Azul Mezcal: Ultra-premium Mexican spirits brand with a handcrafted decant bottle presentation and strong on-premise presence. Comparable luxury positioning and Oaxacan production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elbuhomezcal
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElBuhoMezcal
• Instagraminstagram.com/elbuhomezcal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about El Buho Mezcal