Casa Lotos Sotol Shines During Sotol Week NY

Casa Lotos Sotol had plenty to celebrate this October, from a standout showing at the inaugural Sotol Week New York (October 6–12) to earning top honors at the 2025 Chilled Spirits Awards.

Photos by Evelyn Freja

The weeklong celebration of Mexico’s wild spirit kicked off with Casa Lotos’ exclusive “desert to glass” distillation demonstration at the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, led by fourth-generation sotolero Gerardo Ruelas. Guests witnessed the full distillation process and learned how Casa Lotos’ innovative solar-powered still and oven bring out the purest expression of the sotol plant and its desert terroir.

Throughout the week, Casa Lotos was featured on cocktail menus at some of New York’s most notable bars and restaurants, including SuperBueno, Dante, Saga, Wall Street Hotel, Cosme, Toloache, El Fish, and more. The brand also hosted an influencer dinner at Cuerno, Midtown’s new Mexican steakhouse, where real sotol plants were shipped in to create an immersive experience celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship behind the spirit.

Founded by José María “Chema” Dondé Rangel, creator of Panorama Mezcal and Puebla York Week, Sotol Week NY was designed to spotlight sotol as “the next big drink,” featuring over 70 participating venues.

The program included:

• Distillation Demonstrations with master sotoleros like Gerardo Ruelas, highlighting terroir, climate, and solar-powered production.
• Expert-Led Master Classes & Panels exploring sotol’s history, sustainability, and distillation techniques.
• Signature Cocktail Specials showcasing sotol’s versatility through inventive drink menus.
• Culinary Pairings crafted by acclaimed chefs, designed to complement sotol’s earthy, herbal character.
• Community Events including pop-up tastings, cultural collaborations, and live music.

The festivities concluded with a citywide industry tasting featuring multiple sotol brands, giving bartenders, buyers, and enthusiasts the chance to explore the category firsthand.

Adding to the celebration, Casa Lotos Sotol earned a Platinum Medal and multiple Emblems of Excellence at the 2025 Chilled Spirits Awards—a prestigious recognition that honors craft, innovation, and quality across the global spirits landscape. Judges awarded Casa Lotos Sotol Blanco 95 points, calling it “an impressive experience” and praising its “crystal-clear distillation, notably smooth finish, and subtle spice that adds complexity and intrigue to each sip.”

In addition to its Platinum and Double Gold honors, Casa Lotos was recognized in several categories, including Artisanal Brand, Breakout Brand, Sustainable Brand, Innovative Brand, Woman-Owned Brand, Timeless Brand, and Creative Bottle Design.

Blending a century of distilling expertise with sustainable harvesting, solar technology, eco-friendly packaging, and a deep respect for the land, Casa Lotos continues to redefine what modern Mexican spirits can be—proving that sotol’s future is just as bright as its past.

To learn more, visit www.casalotos.com and follow the brand on Instagram.

About Casa Lotos

Casa Lotos is 100% pure sotol, a wild native plant of Chihuahua, Mexico. The distilled heart of the ancient sotol plant yields a spirit as singular and wild as the unspoiled desert it calls home. Production of Casa Lotos is overseen by fourth-generation sotolero, combining decades of knowledge with sustainable harvesting practices free of pesticides, powered by solar technology and with profound respect for the land. The result is a fresh, smooth spirit perfect for craft cocktails or sipping on the rocks.