Mezcal is made all over Mexico, but a large share of production is in Oaxaca, a state of many villages, each with its own water, elevation, native agaves and mezcaleros (the people who make the mezcal). "Single-village" is a way of saying that the bottle comes from one producer in one place, rather than from a blend of mezcal bought from many.
What "single-village" means
The wine analogy is a négociant: a company that buys finished wine from many growers and bottles it under its own brand. Some mezcal brands work that way. A single-village bottling is closer to a single-vineyard wine: one mezcalero, one village, one batch. Each batch can taste of the year it was made and the place it came from.
You'll also see blends on the shelf, like Espadín with Tobalá. These are intentional combinations made by the mezcalero, which is different from a brand blending mezcal from several producers.
How to read the label
The most useful thing you can learn about mezcal is how to read the label. Look for:
- The mezcalero's name. A person, not just a brand name. If a bottle names no person, ask who made it.
- The village or region. Where the mezcal was made.
- The agave variety. "100% Espadín," "100% Tobalá," or whichever agave was used. If it says just "agave" with no variety, ask us.
- Batch information. A lot number, a distillation date, sometimes a bottle count.
- The still type. Copper still, clay pot, or something else.
What we have in stock
On October 30, 2026 we had 25 mezcals in stock on our site, priced from $40 to $165, including Cinco Sentidos bottlings, Alacran, De Matachines and La Venenosa raicilla. Raicilla (from Jalisco) and sotol (from northern Mexico) are legally distinct categories from mezcal. The selection changes, so use the shop to see what is available now.
For convenience, we offer online ordering for pickup at the shop.
Tasting at Off Premise
We hold free tastings every Friday from 5 to 8pm. Walk in, no reservation. Outside of Friday tastings, ask us what is open.
Come visit
Off Premise is at 1128 W Armitage Ave.
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, noon to 7pm · Friday and Saturday, noon to 9pm.
Free tastings every Friday 5–8pm. Walk in any time.
Browse the agave selection →Other mezcal reading
If you want to keep going, two more pieces:
→ Mezcal under $60 in Chicago — what was in stock under $60 on October 30, 2026.
→ What is Alambique Serrano? — a rum made in Oaxaca.
→ The Lincoln Park bottle shop guide — a broader walkthrough of what we stock across all categories.