Duranguense

The Duranguense, or viejo still as it is sometimes called, is often confused with the Filipino still. The key differentiator between a Duranguense and Filipino still is how the condensation works. A Filipino still has a metal condensation plate on top of the wooden montera. The vapors condense when they hit the metal and the condensation (aka mezcal) runs out of the still via a tube or shoot. With a Duranguense still, the top of the montera is covered with wood, not metal. The vapor travels out of the montera via a bamboo or quiote shoot and enters a spiral serpentine condensation tube that is submerged in cool water. The vapor condenses in the serpentine and the condensation (mezcal) runs out at the bottom.