The Lost Explorer Mezcal

The Lost Explorer Mezcal is a small-batch alcohol line distilled from agave. David de Rothschild is the acclaimed British explorer and ecologist behind The Lost Explorer brand.

A lesser-known fact is that it began life as a niche skincare and wellness offering some years earlier (although its beauty roots seem to have disappeared underground, bar a few sightings on online stores). Despite the category transition, the philosophy remains constant and sings into its founder's values of purpose, curiosity and discovery. The essence of The Lost Explorer mezcal range is to find alignment with nature, with reverence for land, craft and people.

“In this journey, we will hold ourselves to the highest standards of globally recognised pillars of environmental excellence, while constantly striving to raise the bar for the industry,” the company explains.

The heritage-based Mezcal line is handcrafted from source in its ancestral land of Oaxaca, Mexico, by mezcalero Don Fortino, a first-generation master distiller perfecting his craft for over 40 years. The agaves are cultivated over a 12-year period, with each variety demanding to be nurtured uniquely. The Lost Explorer is a love letter to nature, as the brand exists to fulfil a promise to the land and its people, ensuring both the Oaxacan community and land biodiversity remain protected and nurtured during production.

Three resounding principles lie at the heart of the brand’s sustainability mission.

Regenerative agriculture – for every agave used for production, three more are harvested. Biodiverse practices are reinforced through the brand's lab, the Lost Laboratory, where genetically diverse agave can be seeded. All plant waste is converted into fertiliser.

A local supply chain manages production processes, from the cooking of the agave, to bottling. Biodegradable and recycled materials are used as much as possible.

Finally, community building and economic empowerment are at the heart of the brand’s activities, strengthened by local partnerships with fairly paid growers and artisans.