Cinco Sentidos
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Country of Origin: Mexico
Location: Oaxaca, Puebla & Guerrero
People: Jason Cox & Joseph Gilbert, Owners
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The story of Cinco Sentidos begins with Jason Cox, whose path into the world of traditional Mexican spirits was anything but conventional. An Indiana native, Cox built a diverse background through studies in politics and economics, service in the Peace Corps in Panama, and work as a medical interpreter for Spanish-speaking communities with the Ohio Hispanic Coalition. His transition to courtroom interpretation brought him to Oaxaca, where he became enamored with mezcal and immersed himself in the local culture, connecting with mentors and producers. After completing his interpreter certification exam in the United States, Cox's desire to deepen his understanding of Mexican Spanish led him back to Oaxaca, where fate had bigger plans in store.
There, Cox met Joseph Gilbert, an accomplished chef passionate about authentic Mexican cuisine. The two became roommates while Cox worked in Oaxaca's vibrant hospitality scene. Their shared enthusiasm for Mexico's culinary and spirits traditions led to the creation of El Destilado. Opening in 2015 as a modest mezcaleria, Cox and Gilbert explored the Mexican countryside to discover exquisite and unique mezcals to serve at their establishment. Cinco Sentidos started as their house mezcal line, with Cox's background in cultural understanding and social justice becoming foundational to the brand's ethical approach to mezcal production. El Destilado has since evolved into a highly acclaimed 32-seat gastronomic destination offering a nine-course tasting menu paired with spirits sourced directly from producers.
Cinco Sentidos, meaning "five senses," stands as a living archive of Mexico's ancestral distillation practices. This collection of authentic, small-batch agave spirits tells the story of mezcalero families who have preserved their craft against the tide of industrialization. Today, the portfolio comprises 27 distinct bottlings from 11 families, each representing generations of expertise.
Each mezcal remains unblended, unaged, and unaltered from its original form, allowing the true essence of each agave to shine through. Every batch stands as a testament to its maker, the specific agave used, and the traditional methods employed. The classification as "Destilado de Agave" represents a deliberate choice, enabling partner producers to work outside denomination of origin regulations and preserve their ancestral techniques in their purest form. A commitment to transparency ensures every bottle bears its producer's name, providing maestro mezcaleros with both recognition and fair compensation for their artistry.
Under Cox's leadership, Cinco Sentidos has pioneered a model of sustainability and social responsibility, exemplified by their rooftop reforestation project at El Destilado. Seeds collected from local producers are germinated and nurtured before being returned to the fields, ensuring the sustainability of both the landscape and tradition.
From their serendipitous meeting in Oaxaca to becoming stewards of Mexico's most cherished spirits traditions, Cox and Gilbert have created a bridge between centuries-old Mexican distillation practices and contemporary appreciation for artisanal spirits, ensuring these precious methods and cultures continue to thrive for generations to come.