Cuish Fieles Difuntos Espadín Agave Spirit – 48% ABV | 750ml

Cuish Fieles Difuntos Espadín Agave Spirit is a special annual Día de los Muertos release from the Monterrosa family in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. Made from Espadín agave and distilled with marigold flowers, seasonal fruits, and traditional spices, this distinctive spirit captures the aromas and flavors associated with the offerings placed on a Día de los Muertos altar.

Fieles Difuntos is produced in the style of a pechuga, but without chicken breast. During the final distillation, the family adds seasonal ingredients to the still, allowing their aromas and flavors to become part of the finished spirit. Marigold is a defining element, accompanied by fruit, citrus, spice, and herbal notes. The 2024 expression is bottled at 48% ABV.

Key Details

Brand: Cuish

Spirit Type: Agave Spirit / Destilado de Agave

Expression: Fieles Difuntos

Agave: 100% Espadín (Agave angustifolia)

Origin: Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico

Producer: Monterrosa Family

Alcohol Content: 48% ABV

Bottle Size: 750ml

Production Style: Artisanal / Traditional

Special Ingredients: Marigold flowers, seasonal fruits, and spices

Style: Día de los Muertos Special Edition

Process & Production

Fieles Difuntos begins with Espadín agave that is roasted in a traditional conical earthen pit oven. The cooked agave is then crushed using a traditional tahona before being fermented in open-air wooden vats with natural yeast and well water. The spirit is distilled in traditional copper pot stills.

What makes Fieles Difuntos unique is the addition of ingredients during the final distillation. Marigold flowers, seasonal fruits, and spices are added directly to the still, creating a spirit that incorporates the aromatic character of the Día de los Muertos ofrenda.

The exact ingredients can vary according to the season and availability. Past editions have included fruits such as mandarin, lime, tejocote, apple, loquat, guava, and seasonal ingredients alongside cacao, cinnamon, and other traditional offerings.

Appearance

Clear and bright, with the appearance of an unaged agave spirit.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Expressive marigold and floral aromas lead into bright citrus, seasonal fruit, fresh herbs, and warm spice.

Palate: Cooked Espadín agave provides the foundation, followed by layers of citrus, ripe fruit, floral notes, and savory herbal character. Cinnamon and other warming spices add depth and complexity.

Finish: Long and aromatic, with lingering floral, citrus, fruit, and spice notes alongside the earthy character of the agave.

What Makes It Special

Fieles Difuntos is more than a flavored agave spirit—it is a seasonal expression rooted in Día de los Muertos tradition. The recipe originated from the Monterrosa family's tradition of incorporating fruits and offerings from the altar into their mezcal production. Felix Monterrosa later revived the family recipe and developed it into the annual Fieles Difuntos release.

Marigold, or cempasúchil, is particularly important to the expression because of its central role in Día de los Muertos celebrations. The seasonal nature of the flowers, fruits, and spices means each year's release can have its own character.

How to Enjoy

Neat: Serve at room temperature in a copita or small tasting glass to appreciate the floral, fruit, and spice character.

Slightly Chilled: A gentle chill can emphasize the citrus and fruit notes.

With Food: Enjoy alongside traditional Mexican dishes, roasted meats, mole, fruit-based dishes, or rich desserts.

Special Occasion: A natural choice for Día de los Muertos celebrations and other occasions centered around Mexican culinary traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cuish Fieles Difuntos?
It is a special annual agave spirit created by the Monterrosa family for Día de los Muertos, featuring Espadín agave distilled with marigold flowers, seasonal fruits, and spices.

What agave is used?
The 2024 Fieles Difuntos is made from Espadín, or Agave angustifolia.

What makes Fieles Difuntos different from traditional mezcal?
Its defining characteristic is the addition of seasonal flowers, fruits, spices, and other Día de los Muertos offerings during the final distillation, creating a highly aromatic and distinctive spirit.

Is this a pechuga mezcal?
Fieles Difuntos is made in a style inspired by pechuga, but the family recipe does not use chicken breast. Instead, the spirit is distilled with the seasonal offerings associated with Día de los Muertos.

What is the alcohol content?
The 2024 expression is bottled at 48% ABV. ABV may vary between batches.

What size is the bottle?
This release is presented in a 750ml bottle.

Brand Story

Cuish was founded by Félix Hernández Monterrosa and has deep roots in the traditional mezcal culture of Oaxaca. The Monterrosa family has a long history of producing and preserving traditional agave spirits, with Cuish placing particular emphasis on the individual maestros mezcaleros and the local traditions behind each batch.

Fieles Difuntos grew from a family tradition connected to Día de los Muertos. The story traces back to 1991, when members of the Monterrosa family noticed the abundance of ripe fruit among the offerings on a Día de los Muertos altar and incorporated the fruit into their mezcal production. That experiment became the inspiration for the Fieles Difuntos tradition that continues today.