The name “Santa Catarina” refers to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a revered Catholic saint and martyr, while “Albarradas” was the term Spaniards used for the defensive parapets built by indigenous people using stones for protection against enemies.

Santa Catarina Albarradas is distinguished by its rich cultural heritage, particularly its traditions and crafts. The town is renowned for its ancestral mezcal production in clay pots, a practice spanning over three generations.

Located approximately 50 minutes from Tlacocula de Matamoros, through the municipality of Díaz Ordaz, Santa Catarina Albarradas lies at 1650 meters above sea level on the Sierra Norte of the Oaxaca Valley. Although little known, the town’s mezcals are celebrated by enthusiasts.

Its production is scarce and unique, partly due to the small number of producers and inhabitants, approximately 500 people. The challenging access, via a relatively new dirt and stone road, and drastic climate changes due to the altitude and proximity to the Sierra Norte, also contribute.

Albarradas mezcal has profoundly interesting characteristics. The endemic maguey varieties in this region include Espadín (A. Angustifolia Haw), Tobalá (A. Seemanniana and A. Potatorum), Sierra Negra (A. Americana), and Jabalí (A. Convallis), enriched by the dark, nutrient-rich soil or the high mineral content from the mountain stones, mainly scree.