Los Javis is a Oaxacan family owned and operated artisanal Mezcal distilled in the 'World Capital of Mezcal' Santiago Matatlán, Mexico. The story starts with two brothers, Javier and Jaime Mateo. In 1979, the brothers’ father, Javier Mateo, and his brother built a palenque, a mezcal distillery.
Javier and Jaime Mateo launched Los Javis in Los Angeles with just one case, in one restaurant and one liquor store. Now, Javier runs the distillery in Oaxaca, and Jaime handles distribution from Culver City.
The Los Javis label was named to honour Javier's first-born son and his father, both named Javier.
Unlike most other brands that source already-made mezcal from individual mezcaleros (mezcal distillers), Los Javis does its own growing, harvesting, exporting and distribution. Control over the agave-to-bottle process ensures that the earthy, smoky flavour created by roasting the agave hearts for several days in the ground does not overpower the flavour from the terroir — a result of the microclimate where the plant is grown.
Over the last six years, the company has expanded to eight countries and expanded its product line.