Calling on all mezcal lovers. Get to know Dos Gabachos, a 100% agave Espadín from a small pueblo in Santo Domingo Albarradas in Oaxaca, south-western Mexico. Set in a microclimate semi-tropical zone with citrus overtones, roasted tropical fruit, wood, and spice tasting notes. The fruity yet earthy taste partially comes from the minerality in the enriched soil on mountain slopes, aside from water streams. You’re able to smell the characteristics in the nose with a smooth and dry finish.

The Story of Dos Gabachos Mezcal

More than ten years ago, in a bustling downtown Los Angeles bar, the paths of three men converged. David hailed from the north of California, Richard journeyed from New York, while Victor was a native of Mexico City. Both David and Richard crafted drinks as mixologists while balancing their passion for photography. Victor, on the other hand, bridged business connections between Los Angeles and Mexico City and was a regular patron at the bar.

Over time, their casual chats turned into deep-rooted friendships, leading them to accompany Victor on his trips to Mexico City, immersing themselves in its rich culture. It was on one of these escapades that they encountered the allure of Mezcal.

Captivated by this unique beverage, the trio set forth to Oaxaca, the heartland of Mezcal. There, they met various Mezcaleros and their families, each offering a unique blend of Mezcal and stories. They delved deep into the production process, tasting rare variants like Espadín, Tobalá, and Tepeztate directly from the source. They realized Mezcal wasn’t just a drink—it represented the soul, traditions, and heritage of a community.

Back in the states, they noticed Mezcal’s obscurity. Conversations with acquaintances often drew blank faces when Mezcal was mentioned. Recognizing this gap, the trio dreamt of introducing Los Angeles to this exquisite drink, intending to share Oaxaca’s legacy and Mexican heritage.

Now, their journey finds them often in Mexico and Oaxaca, both to quench their thirst for Mezcal knowledge and to capture the essence of their experiences through photography. They’re dedicated to showcasing the mesmerizing world of Mexican culture that they’ve grown to adore.

Their shared tale is a testament to their love for Mezcal.

Getting to know Dos Gabachos with co-founder, Rick Policastro…

What inspired you to start your business? What was the Eureka moment that compelled you to take action?

It was our first trip to Mexico City 9 years ago.  We really got a taste for the culture and the mezcal.  It was like nothing that we had seen here in the states.  We were inspired by that to come back and bring a mezcal to the states that were different.

How are you working to differentiate your brand from other existing products in the market?

Our espadin is unique because of the town that it comes from.  It is a lot further out than where most mezcal comes from, which makes our location rare for mezcal.  We are also coming out with innovative products like gin made from agave and a mezcal rosé.

What are some of the biggest challenges you faced during the early stages of your business, and how did you overcome them?

It isn’t easy to start a liquor brand, especially when the product comes from another country.  Setting up all of the documents and licenses on both sides was a lot of work and we almost had to throw in the towel a few times.    

Can you share a specific example of a difficult decision you had to make as a leader and how it impacted your business?

There are 3 of us as partners. So when it comes down to a decision making we have to vote on everything but for the most part we are on the same page.  When we have a difference of opinion we sit down, listen to each other and figure out what is best for the brand.

How do you stay ahead of the competition and adapt to changing market conditions? Can you share any strategies or initiatives that have helped your business stay agile and resilient?

My partner and I were both mixologists so we like to stay involved with the bar staff and servers at venues that carry our product. By doing this we stay in tune with what is going on in the industry and move forward in a productive way.  

Tell us about a specific challenge or obstacle you faced while building your business and how you overcame it. What valuable lesson(s) did you learn from that experience?

We sponsored an event for this company that promised the world in social media benefits and opening doors for us moving forward. We spent a lot of money that we didn’t have on this event in order to do it the right way.  It backfired and we lost that money.  I think we were so excited just to have that attention that we lost sight of what was important to us.  We had just launched and were impatient.  The lesson learned is to have patience especially when just starting out.  Sometimes excitement can get in the way of the big picture.  

What unique strategies or approaches have you implemented to differentiate your brand and stand out from the crowd?

My partner and I are both photographers and we believe that our photography style sets us apart from a lot of the other competing brands. We have been constantly shooting during all of our trips to Oaxaca documenting our adventures since day 1.

According to Dos Gabacho, not all mezcal is created equal and they are dedicated to sharing the best that Mexico has to offer, so you can get the same magical experience and enjoyment that they have with mezcal. Whether or not you get the chance to travel to the motherland, their mission is to bring the motherland directly to you. It’s all for the love of mezcal as there is no other spirit in the world like it.

No, it’s Not Tequila. It’s a mezcal like you’ve never tried before.

Interested in getting your hands on some Dos Gabachos? You can find a store near you here.