Inked with Mischief: The Art, Myth, and Spirit of Agave

Exploring the ritual, craft, and myth that connect tattoos and mezcal.

Tattoos and mezcal share a certain kind of magic. Both are born from ritual and storytelling, both celebrate transformation, one through ink and the other through smoke. Each carries the mark of its maker, a living expression of art, history, and identity.

It is said that the world of mezcal began in ancient Mesoamerica with Mayahuel, goddess of the agave plant and fertility, and Patecatl, god of pulque, a fermented drink made from the sap of maguey. Their union gave life to 400 divine offspring known as the Centzon Totochtin, or “Four Hundred Rabbits.”

According to legend, each rabbit embodied a different kind of joy and mischief inspired by the elixir of agave. That mythology lives on through 400 Conejos Mezcal, a spirit that honors Mexico’s ancient traditions while channeling the same creativity, symbolism, and rebellion found in tattoo culture.

Inked with Story and Symbolism

Every bottle becomes a canvas, etched with patterns of triangles and stars reminiscent of Mesoamerican mosaics and wrapped in vivid colors drawn from Mexico’s landscapes and folk art. The design could easily double as a flash sheet, each element symbolic, deliberate, and steeped in meaning.

Front and center sits the rabbit, a timeless emblem of celebration and transformation. For many, it represents vitality and joy, the same way tattoos often mirror the moments and myths that shape us. The design is not decoration. It is storytelling through art, a permanent nod to the spirit’s mythic roots.

Crafted Like a Masterpiece

In a world where many spirits chase speed over soul, the brand keeps its roots buried deep in the Oaxacan earth. Crafted from select agaves grown in the Central Valleys and guided by Maestro Mezcalero Alberto Méndeza at the Crista la Santa palenque in Santiago Matatlán, it is built on patience, precision, and respect for craft.

Using primarily Espadín agave, Méndeza follows a traditional multi-step distillation process that shapes a softly smoky flavor. Agave hearts are roasted over firewood in conical earth pits, then crushed, fermented, and distilled by hand. It is a ritual that has been passed down for generations, much like the techniques tattoo masters refine over a lifetime.

The result is a mezcal that is as much about artistry as taste, complex, balanced, and deeply personal.

A Lineup with Character

Just as every tattoo tells a different story, each expression in the 400 Conejos lineup reveals a unique side of the agave spirit.

Joven: An approachable introduction made from Espadín agave, soft on the palate with notes of fresh wood and sweet cooked agave.
Reposado: Aged three to six months in American oak for a richer, sweeter profile with hints of vanilla and caramel.
Añejo: Rested for at least twelve months, offering a deep fusion of vanilla, caramel, and smoke.
Cuishe: A blend of Espadín and Cuishe agaves delivering floral, earthy tones and a whisper of smoke.
Tobalá: A rare mix of Espadín and Tobalá agaves, matured up to twelve years, with citrus, orange blossom, and a smooth, balanced finish.

Whether sipped neat or mixed into something bold like a smoky Oaxaca Mule or a bright Mezcaloma, each bottle leaves its own kind of mark.

A Shared Spirit

400 Conejos Mezcal is more than a drink. It is a story inked in heritage, craftsmanship, and identity, much like the tattoos that celebrate the people who make and enjoy it. Both mezcal and tattooing are rooted in ritual and permanence, artistry and defiance, and the beauty that comes from honoring tradition while creating something new.

Whether on skin or in a glass, both are made to be felt and remembered.