Clande

Clande originated as a project aimed at collecting and bottling the traditional distillates of northern Mexico, working with small vinatas and sotol masters from Chihuahua. Journalistic and commercial sources describe Clande as a brand founded/intended by Ricardo Pico that collaborated with local producers such as Bienvenido Fernández, Eduardo Arrieta, Tavi Torres and Lupe/Lupo López. Subsequently, the Clande project experienced a reduction/cessation of bottling activities and some of the key figures moved on to new projects (e.g., Sotoleros).

To highlight traditional productions and small local producers, preserve artisanal techniques (cooking in pit ovens, spontaneous fermentation, artisanal distillation) and convey the terroir of Chihuahua through single-origin releases and small batches.

Chihuahua (northern Mexico) and, more generally, the northern regions where sotol and lechuguilla are produced.

According to available descriptions, products associated with Clande come from wild or cultivated plants (Dasylirion for sotol; Shrevei agaves/lechuguilla for some lots), roasted in pit ovens or stone pits, milled using traditional methods (by hand or simple machines), fermented with indigenous yeasts and then distilled in small pot stills (copper or steel, depending on the maestro). Commercial bottles are predominantly joven expressions (unaged).

Artisanal distillation in pot stills (copper or steel depending on the maestro), with spontaneous fermentation; typically micro-batches and double distillation reported in technical sheets.

Mainly joven / unaged (young releases according to product sheets).