Juan Antonio Coronel

Mezcalero Juan Antonio Coronel Maya, nicknamed Toño, built his palenque 2,300 meters above sea level in Nochixtlán, Oaxaca. Many told him it could not be done. Extreme temperatures, sloping terrain, little water and being somewhat isolated were all against him. As a trained Chemical Engineer, Toño was able to build his palenque in such a way that his maguey can still ferment even when it’s freezing outside.

Photo courtesy of our friends at Maguey Melate