Mezcal Reina: Mexican soul through a London lens
Women-owned Mezcal Reina has made its UK debut with the release of its full portfolio of luxury sipping mezcals. Co-founders Susana Franyutti and Monica Torroella exclusively share what sparked the decision to bring Mexico’s mezcal heritage to a global audience.
Mezcal Reina was born in 2017 from Franyutti and Torroella’s shared desire to bring the true spirit of Mexico’s craft to the world.
“Having lived in the UK for two decades, we saw there was a gap for a brand that truly bridged mezcal’s authentic heritage with modern sophistication for a global audience,” the duo tell The Spirits Business.
“Mezcal has historically been a male-dominated industry, both in production and perception. At the same time, we were witnessing a powerful shift: more women stepping into leadership roles across the category. As female founders, that felt significant. We could contribute to a new chapter in mezcal’s evolution – one that celebrates heritage while expanding who gets to shape its future.”
The Mezcal Reina range arrives as the UK mezcal market enters a sophisticated new phase.
According to IWSR’s 2025 Status Spirits Study, the category continues to outpace wider agave growth, with market value projected to rise by more than 6% in 2026. This ‘trading up’ phenomenon is believed to be driven by a consumer shift toward terroir-driven, artisanal spirits that offer transparency and heritage – values that Franyutti and Torroella say are at the core of Mezcal Reina’s DNA.
Rooted in heritage, traditional craft, and a commitment to sustainable production, Mezcal Reina’s range features four premium, small batch mezcal expressions.
Central to the portfolio is Mezcal Reina Espadín. Crafted using artisanal methods, the expression utilises Angustifolia agave, which can be harvested sooner than other varieties, helping to protect the land and preserve the species.
The pair explain that the launch of Mezcal Reina Espadín this month has been a significant moment for them and the brand, as it represents the most accessible entry point into the portfolio while maintaining the same standards of craft.
“Distilled in San Pablo Villa de Mitla, Oaxaca, it follows a traditional artisanal process,” they explain, noting that the agave is cooked in earthen pits and milled by horse on a stone mill, known as a tahona. It uses naturally occurring yeast, has no additives, is stored in wooden vats without preservatives, and is double distilled in copper stills. It is bottled at 43% ABV.
“What makes it stand out is its versatility. It is elegant enough to be sipped neat, allowing drinkers to appreciate its nuance and craftsmanship, yet it is also perfect for use in any world-class cocktail programme,” they say.
The Espadín joins the brand’s 48% ABV Ensamble Espadín Tobasiche, which is described as a ‘beautifully rich and complex’ expression suited to elevated luxury sipping. Its profile is earthy and mineral, with zesty lime, fresh herbaceous notes, roasted agave, cedar and leather, complemented by subtle smokiness and vanilla with candied citrus.
Elsewhere in the portfolio is the ‘complex yet delicate’ Tobalá expression, which offers notes of mango, papaya and passion fruit layered with grapefruit, with earthy, mineral undertones. This 37% ABV mezcal is said to represent the pinnacle of terroir expression and flavour.
Rounding off the lineup is the limited edition Arroqueño – a rare mezcal curated for connoisseurs and collectors who appreciate ‘slow, reverent sipping’.
Made from wild Americana agave, Arroqueño requires 18 to 25 years to mature and careful long-term planning to harvest sustainably.
The pair explain that now felt like the right time to introduce the portfolio to UK consumers: “The UK market is increasingly educated and provenance-driven. Mezcal has credibility within bars, but it is now ready to move further into the luxury sipping category.
“Consumers are seeking premium spirits that offer authenticity, terroir and depth of story, which are all qualities artisanal mezcal naturally offers at a level comparable to fine whisky or wine.
“Introducing our full portfolio allows us to tell a complete story of the category. From Espadín, which offers an elegant and accessible entry point, through to rare expressions such as Arroqueño, which can take up to 25 years to mature, the range reflects the breadth and diversity that define artisanal mezcal.
“As a female-founded brand, we also feel this is the right cultural moment, as there is a growing openness to new voices and new narratives within the spirits industry. What excites us most is the opportunity to reframe how mezcal is perceived in the UK, not as just a trend, but as a refined, premium spirit worthy of long-term appreciation.”
Honouring ancestry with a London influence
The co-founders explain that living between Mexico and the UK for more than 20 years has given them a great perspective. In many ways, they see themselves as translators between cultures, bridging Oaxacan heritage with the contemporary sophistication of London.
“Mexico shaped our deep respect for land, craft and community, and a deep understanding that mezcal is not just a spirit, but a cultural expression rooted in place and tradition. Being immersed in London, one of the world’s most dynamic cities, has sharpened our understanding of modern luxury and global audiences.”
London, they say, has also had a profound influence on how they communicate and curate the Mezcal Reina brand. “It’s one of the world’s most culturally layered cities, and being immersed in that environment has sharpened our understanding of modern luxury. While the liquid remains entirely Oaxacan, the way we curate the portfolio and present it reflects a cosmopolitan, globally fluent audience.”
They explain that London has also shaped their perspective on experiential luxury. “Here, brands are not simply consumed; they are experienced,” they say. “That has informed how we curate the portfolio, structuring it as a journey of discovery, and how we create moments around the liquid that feel intentional and immersive.
“Mexico gives Mezcal Reina its soul, and London gives it its lens, allowing us to translate ancestral craft into a contemporary global context without diluting its essence.”
Creatively, that duality means the brand strives to honour ancestral production without compromise, always respecting traditional methods, time and provenance. Commercially, they say it allows them to present mezcal in a way that feels relevant, refined and resonant internationally, while never diluting its soul.
Preserving agave genetics
Each expression in the brand’s portfolio has been handcrafted using ancestral techniques, featuring both wild and cultivated agaves.
This includes the utilisation of milpa agriculture, an ancient polyculture system built on balance rather than extraction. “Instead of growing agave in monoculture, it is cultivated alongside complementary crops like corn, beans and courgettes, creating a living ecosystem that supports soil health, biodiversity and long-term resilience,” they explain.
“Supporting traditional milpa agriculture means contributing to ecosystem regeneration in Oaxaca, protecting biodiversity and, crucially, supporting the communities whose livelihoods depend on maintaining this craft for generations to come. For us, safeguarding biodiversity is inseparable from safeguarding quality. A healthy ecosystem produces better agave, and ultimately, better mezcal.”
Equally important, they say, is the use of seed-grown agaves. “Much of the modern industry relies on cloning, which accelerates production but reduces genetic strength and diversity. By prioritising seed propagation, we help preserve the genetic variation that makes agave more adaptable and more reflective of its terroir. It’s important to mention that by keeping the strength of the DNA, the plant better endures weather and pests.
“At Mezcal Reina, we see sustainability as fundamental to the future of the category, and all our processes respect the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from Oaxaca to preserve local ecosystems and traditions.”
Ultimately, the duo stress the importance of science for safeguarding the mezcal category’s future. “Understanding soil health, genetic diversity and sustainable cultivation ensures agave populations remain viable for generations. Sustainability must combine ancestral knowledge with informed environmental stewardship. If mezcal is to grow responsibly, ecological integrity must remain central.”
All of this backs up Franyutti and Torroella’s philosophy of producing quality over quantity, with Mezcal Reina ultimately challenging the status quo of mass-market mezcal.
“As the mezcal category grows globally, there is understandable pressure to increase production,” they recognise. “But agave does not respond to urgency. Some varieties take 15, 20, even 25 years to reach full maturity. There is no responsible way to accelerate that timeline without compromising either the ecosystem or the integrity of the liquid.
“As demand increases, the temptation is to prioritise volume, but we take the opposite approach, working only with fully mature agaves and limiting production to small batches.
“For us, challenging the status quo means redefining growth. It’s not about scaling volume – it’s about respect for the land, the plant and the craft. In the long run, that is the only model that protects both the category and its future.”
While the Mezcal Reina brand journey is still in its relative infancy, the founding duo already have aspirations of it leaving a lasting legacy: “We hope to be remembered as custodians who protected the land, honoured the craft, and championed the people behind it. If we help mezcal thrive sustainably – culturally, environmentally and commercially – that would be our greatest achievement.”
The full Mezcal Reina range is available via Master of Malt, at specialist retailers, and can be enjoyed at select, exclusive venues such as Cubitt House, Clap, Tramp and Punch Bowl.
Mezcal Reina will sponsor The Spirits Business‘ International Women’s Day event on 4 March.
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