Don Espiridión Gaspar
Espiridión Gaspar Rodríguez was born in Santo Tomás Quieri, a Zapotec community in the Yautepec district of Oaxaca. He speaks both Zapotec and Spanish, languages that connect him to his roots and to the present. From an early age, he became familiar with the craft of mezcal, as his grandfather, Don Domingo Gaspar, was a pioneer in artisanal distillation. His parents, Teodoro Gaspar and Mardoña Rodríguez, also carried on this work, passing down their knowledge and passion for maguey.
Today, at 54 years old, Don Espiridion represents the third generation of mezcaleros in his family. From his palenque in Nejapa de Madero, he distills for the Malviejo brand, alongside his son Elmer Gaspar, who proudly continues the family legacy. His life is deeply tied to the land: he plants corn, beans, and squash during the rainy season, practices occasional hunting to supplement his family’s food supply, and enjoys spending time with his community.
His story is deeply connected to the Sierra family, founders of the Malviejo brand, with whom he has worked from the very beginning. This bond has grown beyond work, becoming a relationship of trust and shared identity. The Sierra family, also natives of Nejapa de Madero, are recognized for supporting the town’s festivities, participating in community assemblies, and promoting the care of maguey—reminding people not to harvest all the plants so that seeds remain and the cycle of maguey can continue into the future. For this reason, the community sees the Malviejo brand as a reflection of itself, and Don Espiridion stands as a living part of this connection between tradition, respect, and the future.
