The Lost Explorer Mezcal Recruits Former Don Julio Distiller for Inaugural Tequila Release

(Photo: The Lost Explorer)

In October, The Lost Explorer made the jump from award-winning mezcal to additive-free tequila with a helping hand from Enrique de Colsa, the former master distiller at Don Julio.

The brand’s blanco, available now at $49.99, is double distilled in the Valles region near El Arenal, Jalisco. The 40% ABV spirit is said to balance flavors and aromas of pineapple, herbs, cinnamon and subtle minerality.

It’s the first time that The Lost Explorer has forayed outside its comfort zone from maestro mezcalero Fortino Ramos, who oversees production of the brand’s Salmiana, Tobala and Espadin expressions. De Colsa got his start in the spirits industry in the 1980s as a seller of liquid processing equipment. He eventually crossed paths with Don Julio Gonzalez, who invited him onto the Don Julio tequila team in 1999. By the time Gonzalez retired in 2004, de Colsa was ready to take on the role of master distiller. He’s since moved on from the brand and forged a working relationship with The Lost Explorer.

“I have connected with The Lost Explorer community because I found people that share my values and my way of doing things. Today, The Lost Explorer Tequila Blanco brings these principles and standards to reality as we launch this tequila, which offers new flavors, aromas, and a completely new level of excellence,” de Colsa shared in a news release.

The Lost Explorer’s approach is highly unusual within the industry. More often than not, you’ll see recognizable tequila brands like Casamigos and Lobos 1707 make brief forays into the mezcal category with one-off releases. To see a mezcal brand move in the other direction is virtually unheard of.

Much of that has to do with production capacity. While mezcal is typically made at family-owned palenques dotted throughout the valleys and mountains of Oaxaca, tequila is found at large, industrial-grade distilleries that can house as many as a hundred brands at once. For its take on the concept, The Lost Explorer has partnered with Destileria El Magnifico, the NOM behind Chula Parranda and Origen 1258.

“We are thrilled to unveil our tequila, a natural evolution of our agave spirits brand which seeks to inspire people to celebrate the earth and live curiously. With Enrique at the helm, and the Valley of Tequila as our canvas, each bottle tells a story of craftsmanship, terroir, and a dedication to producing a superb tequila made with the rhythm of nature,” CEO Tanya Clarke remarked.

The Lost Explorer Blanco Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Nose: Fresh herbal aroma of agave with hints of citrus and pineapple. Subtle buttery notes with a touch of cinnamon. Complex and inviting.
• Taste: Full bodied and well balanced, featuring herbal notes with vibrant mineral undertones.
• Finish: Long, rich, and elegant, with lingering notes of cinnamon and spice.