The story of Cazcanes Tequila is more than just a brand history—it’s a journey into the heart of Mexico, the science of agave, and the spirit of relentless craftsmanship.
It all began with a conversation. Colin and Chris Edwards, brothers and co-founders of Cazcanes, were casually chatting about plant science, spirits, and hobbies. Colin, a winemaker from Napa Valley, and Chris, equally curious and passionate, found themselves drawn deeper into the world of agave and tequila. What started as curiosity quickly turned into obsession.
Driven to understand the roots of tequila, Colin and Chris traveled to Mexico—not just as tourists, but as students of the craft. They immersed themselves in the culture, the people, and the production methods behind the spirit. Along the way, they formed a key friendship with Jose Santillan, a driver they hired who soon proved to be a savvy business mind. Today, Jose runs Cazcanes’ operations in Mexico and is an essential part of the company’s foundation.
Then came the breakthrough.
While wandering through the town of Magdalena, a taco vendor pointed them toward Humberto, a master distiller tucked away deep in the jungle. Humberto was producing a moonshine-style tequila—110 proof, made from a multi-generational recipe. It was unfiltered, unpolished, and unforgettable. Colin was hooked. He apprenticed under Humberto for over a year, commuting between the U.S. and Mexico to learn everything he could.
The brothers knew they couldn’t just bottle someone else’s creation. They had a vision: to create their own tequila from scratch, using Humberto’s ancestral knowledge, their own ideas, and the best natural ingredients they could find.
Finding the right distillery proved difficult. They wanted authenticity, not mass production. That’s when fate led them to a modest distillery just six kilometers from the town of Tequila. This operation, Familia Landeros, had been making agave spirits without any certification from the CRT (Tequila Regulatory Council), flying under the radar of commercial tequila. But it had one treasure: Don Francisco “Chico” Jiménez Lazcarro, a master distiller with over 40 years of experience.
Working alongside Don Chico, Colin and the team began adapting Humberto’s raw recipe into something that could be legally certified and shared with the world—without losing its soul. Together, they sourced water from the Navichi Springs, Jose’s hometown spring, known for its pristine quality. That spring water became the signature element of Cazcanes, giving each bottle its unique character.
With relentless effort, they secured CRT certification, and in 2017, Cazcanes Blanco No. 9, their first official batch, took Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. It was the start of a meteoric rise.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Cazcanes Tequila has grown rapidly, gaining global recognition for doing things the old way—slowly, carefully, and with purpose. Each bottle is organic, additive-free, handcrafted in small batches, and tells the story of the jungle, the brothers, and the passion that brought it all to life.
As demand surged, the company made the leap to Tequilero Tap, a larger facility designed to preserve their artisanal methods while enabling sustainable growth. New equipment, same commitment to quality.
Today, Cazcanes is a blend of tradition and innovation, of family and discovery. It’s a living legacy in a bottle. Every sip is a tribute to Humberto’s jungle distillate, Don Chico’s mastery, Jose’s vision, and the brothers’ belief that great tequila is worth chasing—even if it leads you through a jungle.
Welcome to Cazcanes.
Authentic. Bold. Unforgettable.
