Perro Verde Mezcal debuts in US
Luxury mezcal brand Perro Verde, backed by Oscar-winning actor Benicio del Toro, has launched in the US market.
Handcrafted by a five-generation family of Oaxacan mezcaleros, Perro Verde is said to embody over 120 years of tradition and expertise. The brand was inspired by the colloquial Spanish and Latin American expression 'Más raro que un perro Verde', which translates to 'rarer than a green dog' and is used to describe something or someone who is out of the ordinary. Perro Verde was co-founded by husband-and-wife team Juan Santiago Rodriguez and Mariana Carvajal, along with mezcal producer Porfirio Chagoya, and is backed by actor Benicio del Toro. To maintain tradition while considering sustainability, the brand uses modern techniques that improve worker conditions and efficiency, reducing its carbon footprint. Carvajal stated: "Perro Verde is about curation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity. It’s a tribute to the wild, enigmatic spirits from the Mexican mountains that give us this precious liquid. Above all, Perro Verde is an ode to wild beauty and the art of subtle details." Produced in small batches, the brand offers three expressions—Espadin, blend Ensamble, and Tobasiche—each representing centuries-old traditions with distinctive flavour profiles. The Espadin agave mezcal is offered at 40% ABV and displays notes of yellow apples, roasted agave, lime, coriander seeds, nuts and mint on the palate. The expression retails for US$72. A blend of Espadin and Tobasiche agave spirits, Ensamble offers notes of yellow apples, star fruit, lime, cucumber, pineapple and celery, and retails for US$150 at 42% ABV. Made with Tobasiche agave, the last expression has a suggested retail price of US$325. The 42% ABV mezcal displays notes of lemon grass, green melon, green apples, ginger, star fruit and anise star on the palate. Rodriguez said: "Perro Verde isn’t just a mezcal; it’s a celebration of exceptional craftsmanship. We select rare, wild agaves like Tobasiche, which takes 17 years to mature, yielding a mezcal as smooth as it is complex. Perro Verde Tobasiche is a standout among mezcals—an exceptional spirit that earned top recognitions from several spirits competitions even before its official launch, a testament to its remarkable, one-of-a-kind taste." All three expressions are available in 700ml bottles at selected stores in California cities Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. The brand also offers shipping on online purchases across the US. At The 2023 Luxury Masters, Perro Verde Ensamble was recognised with a Master medal and Tobasiche with a Gold medal in the Ultra Premium mezcal category.
