Cuentacuentos El Barro began as a project to create an alternative to the “low ABV, watery, tasteless well mezcals” found in bars across the US. This 46% alcohol by volume maguey Espadin mezcal is first distilled in copper and then distilled a second time in clay. Mezcalero Ricardo Ruiz is from a mezcalero family in Sola de Vega, but he distills this mezcal in Santiago Matatlán. The founder of Cuentacuentos and Carlos Mendes Blas convinced Ricardo to help install four clay pots in the Matatlán distillery.