Ilegal Mezcal has an extraordinary origin story. John Rexer, the company’s owner, would smuggle bottles of Mezcal from Oaxaca to Guatemala to stock his bar Café No Sé. The drink quickly gained popularity and Rexer was able to find a permanent supply chain, albeit an illegal supply chain.

From this, Ilegal Mezcal was born. It has since thrived and become somewhat of an artisanal legend. The brand prides itself on not embracing the industrial revolution of drinks production, and rather focuses on the fact that it handcrafted and authentic.