The granddaughter of Refugio “Don Cuco”, Lillian Jacquez-Perez and with the help of her husband, Carlos Diaz, Jr., founded the business in 1991.  The business received its basic permit to import Sotol from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).  The idea to create a manufacturing representative firm evolved from the family Vinata in Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico that distills and bottles sotol, Compania Elaboradora Del Sereque, S.A. de C.V. (CES).  Sotol Chihuahua imports and sells various types of Don Cuco Sotol products.   

Governor Martinez of the State of Chihuahua, after three years of work, received the Certificate of Origin for Sotol. The Federal Department of Commerce presented him with the certificate.  Governor Martinez has also recognized the quality and the family history of Don Cuco Sotol; he requested our sotol be bottled in special bottles bearing the seal of the State of Chihuahua to use as gifts for dignitaries.  In December, 2003, he invited CES to be present at the ceremony in Chihuahua for his acceptance of the certificate.  This Certificate of Origin gives our sotol worldwide prestige, legitimacy, and protection.

We plan to satisfy the burgeoning U.S. Hispanic markets and other U.S. markets.  Future international markets include Canada, Japan, Europe and Latin America.  Sotol Chihuahua, the international manufacturer's agent in El Paso, Texas, is the only legal entity representing their family's Vinata.  We know the great potential our Sotol, a Hispanic product, has in our U.S. market.  We want the image of our Sotol to reflect the generations old tradition instilled in its presentation, flavor and its unique aroma.

The original authentic sotol is bottled at no less than 96 proof. However, Lillian and Carlos convinced their uncles to bottle sotol at 72 proof and 50 proof. The uncles were able to do so yet keeping the exact quality and flavor aficionados have come to expect and admire. Now, various individual flavored Sotoles are in research and development. Sotol Chihuahua will soon market them to the U.S. market.

OUR TRADITIONS

The  authentic sotol  distilled at 96 proof had many traditional uses, some still being used.  We wanted to share our grandfather's traditional uses.

With winters in the rugged Sierra Madre so cold and harsh, it was common for the outdoor workingmen to take a shot of sotol to help circulate the blood. A shot of sotol before bedtime would help the tired body relax and get a good nights rest.  Sotol made pure with no added chemicals or sugars was never a caused for "hang-overs"

When children were bathed on winter nights by the firewood stoves, they were dampened with sotol to prevent a cold.

When traveling through the Sierra Madre, the riders would apply sotol on their faces, neck, and arms to keep mosquitoes away as they slept outdoors.

Sotol was used on body cuts to prevent an infection.  For a sore throat, one would gargle with sotol.  Cotton soak in sotol and place on a toothache was a pain reliever.

The heavy rains in August would drench the town of Madera and the countryside and bring on the "catch a cold"  time of the year. A hot lemonade, without adding sugar, with a small shot of sotol was always the best remedy.

It was not Christmas Eve without the hot toddies "calientitos" made with fresh fruits, sugar cane sticks, spices, and our sotol.

Raisins fermented in sotol would provide a great and smooth liqueur.

Traditional Sotol and Herbs Beliefs

Women in the Sierra Madre would prepare their fermentation of herbs with sotol in clear bottles and had them readily available when the need arisen.  Because sotol was crystal clear, just by identifying the herb, they knew its purpose. We have listed a few that we found interesting.

Chuchupate root fermented in sotol for stomach aches.

Manzanilla fermented in sotol for muscle aches.

Governadora, as shown, is fermented in sotol to help women become pregnant. 

Romero fermented in sotol for massage to help release muscle tension.

Ruda fermented with sotol for massage on joints to release arthritis pain.

Azufre plant fermented in sotol used on body fever to prevent pneumonia.

Oregano leaves fermented in sotol a remedy for a sore throat.

COMMITMENT

We have a commitment to our family's product, Don Cuco Sotol. Our grandfather was a legend in the rugged Sierra Madre. He was such an authority on the trails crisscrossing the mountains that the Mexican Military used him as a guide to find bootleg sotol distilleries in the 1930's. Like a true folk hero, Don Cuco did not betray the poor campesinos that eked out a living making sotol. He felt there was enough sotol plant for everyone there to earn their livelihood.  He would send Indian scouts ahead to warn the Sotoleros that he was leading the military to them. This would allow them to remove and protect what little equipment they had for making their sotol.  Don Cuco was committed to the welfare of his community teaching them the art of making sotol to make a living and protecting them.

We want you also to make a commitment. We ask that you commit to drink responsibly. We ask that you commit yourself not to purchase our sotol for anyone under 21. We ask that you commit yourself to be a true friend; be prepared to help anyone under the influence of alcohol.  Please commit to help that person get safely home. To all individuals that have been a designated driver for friends during a fun gathering; his/her children, spouse, mother, father, brother, sister and good friends deeply thank you; we thank you.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Lillian and Carlos have made and will continue to make their charitable contributions to their community.

Lillian volunteered with the Red Cross when they needed volunteers to go to New Jersey during the Floyd Hurricane Disaster.

They worked for more than a year in helping their church with the "building fund" program. On Saturdays they would prepare some of the cooking for Sundays' food sale. They would also help with the serving and cleaning.

Whenever possible, they would sponsor little league sports teams without requiring an acknowledgement with the business name on the uniforms.

On one occasion  before 9/11 and another after 9/11, they brought in a group of 70 underprivileged children from the community of Janos, Chihuahua, to visit El Paso. Their project was named The Children of Janos.  Most of the children had never traveled outside their community and did not have a border crossing permit. Though it was not easy and after many telephone calls they made the necessary arrangements to have  United States Customs, for the purpose of humanity and as an educational experience, approve a 48 hour entry for the children. Our federal government provided the help without hesitation when learning of our purpose.  The children were treated to a day at the zoo, swimming, McDonalds, Viva El Paso show, and lastly, a visit to Wal-Mart.  Sotol Chihuahua provided some financial assistance, but the Presidencia of Janos under the leadership of Celso Jacquez handled most of the expenses.  The smile on the children was truly a Kodak moment and we hope to continue giving them the opportunity to visit El Paso.

During the harvesting season in Janos, Chihuahua they would help collect non-perishable foods and clothing and help deliver them to the Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. These hardworking Indians would travel to Janos every summer to work harvesting the corps. Celso, Emma Jacquez and their children  would provide shelter, emergency needs, and would bring in medical doctors and nurses from the United States to provide them with medical assistance, this in spite of the fact that the Indians of Oaxaca were not employed by them.  Their generosity has been recognized by the community of Janos.