The fermentation station at Palenque El Conejo

Buzz Mezcal Radness Travel

Palenque el Conejo in Santa Catarina Minas – 24 Photos

By Marco Antonio Gutierrez-Garza / September 12, 2022

On my recent trip to Oaxaca as part of the Cemmez Diplomado en Mezcales y Maguey de Mexico program, we visited the Palenque of Maestro Antonio Carlos Mendez in Santa Catarina Minas, known as Palenque el Conejo. On this visit, we were assigned to make a series of observations around the palenque, and note family, historical, social and cultural importance from a series of interviews and subjective reflections. Later as the program continues, we will publish our observations. Below are some photos at Palenque el Conejo.

The conical earthen oven after it has cooked maguey at Palenque el Conejo, with River Rock (piedra azul) and bagazo. This will be completely cleaned out to be used again.
Another look at the earthen oven, which is 1.5 meters deep and loads maguey up to 3 meters high.
Encino wood is used for the earthen oven.
The Fermentation Station at Palenque el Conejo.
The fermentation station at Palenque El Conejo.
There are 3 500 Lt. Pinewood tubs used for the fermentation.
The maguey is then crushed by hand using a “mazo” (wooden mallet) in stone in-ground tubs.
The maguey is then crushed by “mazo” in stone in-ground tubs
Palenque el Conejo uses 3 150 lt. Clay Stills.
Palenque El Conejo’s Mexican Asiatic (Chinese style) Still
The oven is covered, to stay warm and not crack the inner 100 Lt. clay pot
The Stainless steal condenser with running water source
The wooden “cuchara” used to collect the condensed alcohol
The Cuchara is suspended on a thread and pours into a wooden pipe.
The clay pot montera here is called Jefe
The pitch fork to remove the bagasso from teh clay pot
The pitch fork is wook to not crack the pot
The 150 Lt pots used inside the oven
The 150 Lt pots used inside the oven
Maestro Antonio Carlos Martinez showing off the Perlado his mezcal makes.
An external tank that collects the running water during distillation to cool and reuse.
Palenque el Conejo
Maestro Antonio Carlos Martinez and his family selling their mezcal.
It’s a family affair at Palenque El Conejo.
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