The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company

What The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company does

The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company produces handcrafted, artisanal mezcal in Oaxaca, Mexico, and tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. The portfolio consists of six expressions: four mezcals made from Espadín (Agave Angustifolia, 8 years), Tobalá (Agave Potatorum, 10 years), Salmiana (Agave Salmiana, 12 years), and Madre Cuishe agave varieties, and two tequilas — a Blanco and a recently launched Reposado aged across Sauternes Wine Cask, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask, and Bourbon Barrels. The production approach is artisanal: small-batch double distillation, tahona or hand-crushing, clay pot or copper still distillation, and natural fermentation 'within the rhythm of nature.' The brand incorporates a closed-loop sustainability process by upcycling agave fiber waste into fertilizer, sipping copitas, and adobe bricks.

The company operates a dual-channel commercial model. Primary distribution flows through a global wholesale distributor network spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, and Rest of World markets, with a dedicated 'Our Distributors' page and 'Find Us' locator enabling consumer access to retail and on-premise locations. A direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at thelostexplorer.com/shop/ provides a secondary channel. Marketing relies on Instagram (organic social), earned media in premium outlets such as GQ Magazine and Rolling Stone, an email newsletter ('A newsletter served neat'), website content hubs (Our Story, Our Craft, Sustainability, Journal), and event-driven activations such as the New York launch of Tequila Reposado with cocktail collaborations including Sikana (Somos Cafetaleras), RayO CDMX, and Kabin NYC.

The legal entity is The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company B.V., incorporated in the Netherlands, and the brand holds registered trademarks for its word mark and logo symbol. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent, no institutional funding rounds, no publicly disclosed headcount beyond a 1-10 employee range, and no disclosed revenue or pricing. It has earned multiple international spirits awards including Best of Show and Best of Class at the Latin America World Spirits Competition for Tequila Blanco, with additional recognition from SFWSC, IWSC, Difford's Guide, and Spirits Business across multiple expressions.

Name

The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company

Legal name

The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company B.V.

Website

https://thelostexplorermezcal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company is a privately held Dutch B.V. that produces handcrafted artisanal mezcal in Oaxaca and tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, selling six expressions (four mezcal, two tequila) directly to consumers via e-commerce and through a global wholesale distributor network spanning the US, UK, Mexico, and Rest of World.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Agave Spirits (Mezcal and Tequila)

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Ethnic Beverages Wholesale (Specialty/Import) (AFAIAIAG)

Keywords

• Handcrafted mezcal
• Artisanal tequila
• Small-batch spirits
• Premium agave spirits
• Craft distillery

Headquarters

HQ city

California

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Sales: The Lost Explorer sells its mezcal and tequila expressions directly to consumers via its e-commerce storefront (thelostexplorer.com/shop/), offering product pages for each expression and a shopping cart checkout. This is the primary revenue stream, treating individual consumers as the core buyer.
2. Wholesale / Distribution to Retail: Products are distributed through a network of distributors to reach physical retail locations (bars, restaurants, liquor stores) in markets across the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, and Rest of World. Revenue flows through wholesale orders placed by distributors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company produces and sells handcrafted mezcal expressions in Oaxaca, Mexico and tequila expressions in Jalisco, Mexico. The portfolio includes four mezcal varieties (Espadín, Tobalá, Salmiana, Madre Cuishe) made from different aged agave plants, and two tequila expressions (Blanco and Reposado), with the Reposado being the brand's first aged expression rested across Sauternes Wine Cask, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask, and Bourbon Barrels. Products are sold through the brand's own e-commerce site and through a global wholesale distributor network.

Product overview

The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company produces handcrafted mezcal in Oaxaca, México and tequila in Jalisco, México, honoring the Agave Earth. The portfolio consists of four mezcal expressions (Espadín from Agave Angustifolia aged 8 years, Tobalá from Agave Potatorum aged 10 years, Salmiana from Agave Salmiana aged 12 years, and Madre Cuishe) and two tequila expressions (Blanco and Reposado, the latter being their first aged agave expression resting across Sauternes Wine Cask, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask, and Bourbon Barrels). The company also offers cocktail recipes including Jalisco in Fashion, Tequila Toddy, Midnight Martini, and Cafetalera-tini.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Espadín Mezcal A sweet and herbaceous mezcal expression, well-balanced with hints of red apple, ripe fruits and a mild smoky layer to finish, made from Agave Angustifolia aged 8 years. Targeted at premium spirit consumers and on-premise cocktail programs.
• Tobalá Mezcal An earthy mezcal expression with hints of tobacco, cocoa, vanilla and leather, offering a unique balance between wood aromas and umami flavors, made from Agave Potatorum aged 10 years. Targeted at premium spirit consumers and on-premise cocktail programs.
• Salmiana Mezcal The most herbaceous mezcal expression, offering a sweet and spicy profile with hints of green chili, grapefruit and fresh agave, made from Agave Salmiana aged 12 years. Targeted at premium spirit consumers and on-premise cocktail programs.
• Madre Cuishe Mezcal A mezcal expression featured in the product portfolio and main navigation menu. Targeted at premium spirit consumers and on-premise cocktail programs.
• Tequila Blanco A 100% de agave tequila, double distilled in small batches, with herbaceous, citrus, and cinnamon notes. Won Best of Class and Best of Show at the Latin America World Spirits Competition, plus additional awards at SFWSC, Difford's Guide, and Spirits Business. Targeted at premium spirit consumers and on-premise cocktail programs.
• Tequila Reposado A layered, agave-forward tequila with added depth from time, where warm oak and soft vanilla frame subtle dried-fruit notes with a long, lingering finish. The brand's first aged agave expression, rested through a blended process across three distinct cask types: Sauternes Wine Cask, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask, and Bourbon Barrels. Notes of cooked agave, oak wood, vanilla, and raisins. Targeted at premium spirit consumers and on-premise cocktail programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Best of Show and Best of Class in blind test by Latin America World Spirits Competition for Tequila Blanco
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sikana (Somos Cafetaleras)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSikana is a social impact project — 'Somos Cafetaleras' — empowering female enterprise and strengthening rural Oaxacan community. The Lost Explorer collaborated with Sikana on the Cafetalera-tini cocktail at the New York launch of Tequila Reposado, demonstrating the brand's commitment to community and female empowerment in Oaxaca.
• RayO CDMXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRayO CDMX collaborated on the Cafetalera-tini cocktail at The Lost Explorer Tequila Reposado New York launch, creating a signature cocktail as part of the brand activation event.
• Kabin NYCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKabin NYC partnered with Rayo CDMX and The Lost Explorer to host the Cafetalera-tini collaboration cocktail at the New York launch of Tequila Reposado, serving as the venue partner for the event.
• Our Distributors (Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Lost Explorer has a network of distributors spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, and Rest of World. A dedicated 'Our Distributors' page on the website lists these partners, enabling the brand to reach physical retail and on-premise locations globally.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bozal Mezcal: Artisanal mezcal brand built around rare agave varietals and craft storytelling, positioned in the same premium-occasion occasion space as TLE. Direct overlap in Oaxacan origin and varietal-driven SKU strategy.
• Clase Azul Tequila: Premium artisanal tequila with collectible decanters, gifting focus, and strong on-premise presence. Closest peer on tequila side given similar luxury position, packaging premium, and route-to-market.
• Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal: Single-village Oaxacan mezcal producer with similar artisanal positioning, multiple agave varietals, and DTC-plus-distribution model. The closest direct peer to TLE's mezcal portfolio.
• Casa Dragones: Ultra-premium small-batch tequila targeting gifting and on-premise occasions, with a similar DTC-plus-distribution and luxury-brand storytelling approach. Comparable in aged/blended expressions and gift-channel positioning.
• 400 Conejos Mezcal: Oaxacan mezcal brand with multi-varietal SKU structure and craft positioning, competing in the same premium mezcal on-premise and DTC channels as TLE.
• Casa Noble Tequila: Premium organic agave spirits brand with sustainability credentials and a craft-production story, comparable to TLE's transparency and origin narrative. Direct peer on the sustainability-led premium positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Casamigos Tequila: Premium celebrity-backed tequila now owned by Diageo, distributed globally at scale. A broader incumbent that competes with TLE in the on-premise and retail premium tequila aisle, but with vastly greater distribution and marketing reach.
• Don Julio Tequila: Premium tequila portfolio owned by Diageo with Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, and 1942 expressions. Represents the scaled competitive set TLE's Reposado must shelf-against in on-premise accounts.
• Patrón Tequila: Ultra-premium tequila owned by Bacardi with global distribution and a broad SKU portfolio including aged expressions. Industry benchmark for premium tequila pricing and category development, relevant for TLE's Blanco/Reposado roadmap.

Emerging players

• Gracias a Dios Mezcal: Small-batch Oaxacan mezcal producer emphasizing sustainability, female-led production, and authentic craft methods. Strong overlap with TLE's ESG narrative and varietal-driven mezcal portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thelostexplorermezcal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-lost-explorer-mezcal-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelostexplorer
• Xx.com/lostexplorerco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 The Lost Explorer Mezcal Company