Kirker Greer co-founds Del Suelo Mezcal
Belfast-based Kirker Greer Spirits has partnered with Alí Rogelio Ramírez, Gregory Buda and Kevin Demers to launch Del Suelo, a collection of four artisanal mezcals.
The range includes four mezcals made with wild and cultivated agaves, including the mineral-rich Espadín, the rare Liso, the earthy Tobalá, and the vegetal Madrecuishe.
The mezcals are ethically sourced and crafted using traditional techniques that highlight the unique flavours of various agave types, showcasing a single variety from Oaxaca, Mexico.
Ramírez said: “We’re dedicated to honouring the land through a steadfast commitment to sustainability, and to respecting everyone within the mezcal community; from the farmers tending the agave fields to the artisans crafting the spirits, ensuring every hand involved is treated with respect and paid fairly for their work.
“The result is an exceptional mezcal representing a celebration of heritage, a tribute to the land, and a testament to the dedication of the people who craft it.”
In the village of San Luis del Río, each mezcal is influenced by the region’s microclimate and the terroir of its mineral-rich soil.
Don Baltazar Cruz Gómez, mezcalero of Del Suelo, explained: “The subtle and intricate flavours of each agave, the soul of our mezcal, across each expression are uniquely enhanced by distinctive terroir influences imparted by the soil, climate, and other conditions unique to where they grew. The result is an exceptional mezcal that is both complex and distinctive, representing a tribute to the land.”
Del Suelo’s mezcals are naturally fermented in open-air wooden vats, relying on wild yeasts in the air, which makes each batch a ‘unique expression of its environment’.
The mezcals are offered in bottles crafted from ‘wild glass,’ made from 100% post-consumer recycled material, which is said to reduce waste by up to 35% during manufacturing.
The brand’s labels feature illustrations by Oaxaca City artist Walter García Hernández, depicting native animal symbols that represent the character of each expression.
Buda, co-founder of Del Suelo, said: “Mezcal can be made from a diverse range of agaves; the symbols help define and explain the differences in flavour between each agave variety. More than just a decorative feature on the bottles, it illustrates the complex balance of elements that make up each expression, giving consumers and bartenders greater insight into its characteristics and versatility.”
The mezcals are best enjoyed neat, in cocktails like an Oaxacan Old Fashioned or Mezcal Margarita, or as a refreshing long drink with tonic water or grapefruit soda.
Del Suelo mezcals are now available to both on-trade and specialist retailers in the UK, Europe and Singapore.
All four expressions are offered at 45% ABV in 700ml bottles. The suggested retail price for the Espadín is £60 (US$81), while Liso, Tobalá, and Madrecuishe have an RRP of £90 (US$121).
Earlier this year, Kirker Greer launched a premium blended Irish whiskey collection inspired by the seasons.
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