What’s Behind the Bottle: The Craft, the Land, and the Hands That Shape Mocel

Oct 23

At first glance, Mocel Mezcal stands out — a ceramic bottle that’s timeless, modern, and unmistakably crafted with care. But behind that bottle is something deeper: a story of heritage, patience, and purpose.

Every drop of Mocel’s award-winning artisanal mezcal starts with only two ingredients: agave and water. Nothing more. Our agaves grow in the hills of Michoacán, Mexico, taking up to twenty-five years to mature before they’re harvested by hand. Each one is roasted in underground ovens, naturally fermented in open-air wooden vats, and distilled in wooden stills — a 400-year-old method unique to the region. The result is a mezcal with remarkable depth, shaped by time and tradition.

At Mocel, we do things the hard way because that’s the right way. Each release is a limited small batch, sometimes as few as 289 bottles, capturing the spirit of a single harvest and moment in time. No two batches are ever the same, and that’s exactly what makes them special.

*Just two ingredients: agave and water — crafted with patience and purpose. 400 years of Michoacán mezcal tradition, distilled in wooden stills.*

The handcrafted ceramic bottle that carries our mezcal is more than packaging; it’s part of the craft. Rooted in Michoacán’s traditional textiles, each vessel honors generations of artisans while reflecting a clean, modern aesthetic. Designed to celebrate the purity of what’s inside, it bridges the beauty of heritage with the simplicity of modern design.

Founded by sisters Rosalinda and Elizabeth Mendoza, Mocel represents a balance between Michoacán and the Pacific Northwest, between past and present, between culture and craft.

When you pour a glass of Mocel, you are sharing a story. You’re experiencing the land of Michoacán, the artistry of its people, and a tradition that endures one bottle, one batch, and one shared moment at a time.