Meet the Makers Behind Our Tequila Dreams

Discover the bartenders and Maestro Tequilero behind Altos Tequila.

The foundation of Altos rests on a clear, uncompromising vision: create a super-premium, 100% blue agave tequila using centuries-old methods to deliver unmatched quality in every sip. Many brands design spirits for the boardroom, but Altos grew directly from the real needs behind the bar.

Born in 2009, Altos Tequila is the result of a collaboration between Maestro Tequilero Jesús Hernández and two renowned British bartenders, Dré Masso and the late Henry Besant. Together they set a new standard: a premium tequila crafted the right way, built explicitly to excel in contemporary mixology while remaining smooth and delightful when enjoyed neat.

Produced in the heart of Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, at 2,104 meters above sea level, Altos draws its character from the region’s mineral-rich red soil, which lends the liquid its signature citrus, fruity, and sweet notes. This partnership guarantees that every bottle honors traditional Mexican heritage while serving as the ultimate tool for bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts. From the cooking of the agave to the final distillation, our team controls every step to ensure your drinks achieve a flawless balance of flavors.

Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Backbar Functionality

True quality requires time, respect for ingredients, and a low environmental impact. Our production process rejects modern shortcuts, relying instead on artisanal steps that maximize the natural character of the agave. We harvest mature blue agave from the red soils of Los Altos de Jalisco, cooking the hearts slowly to unlock their rich, deep sweetness.

What truly sets Altos apart is the tahona: a 500-year-old ancestral technique in which a heavy volcanic stone crushes the cooked agave to extract its juices. This method is a crucial part of how every Altos tequila is made. After crushing, our team ferments and double-distills the liquid to produce an authentic, premium spirit.

This rigorous process serves a functional purpose: creating a tequila that always works, elevating cocktails rather than disappearing behind citrus or sweet mixers.

“We developed this profile by taking advantage of the points of view of people who have close contact with final consumers. The global bartender community shaped the success of Altos through their direct participation.” – Jesús Hernández, Maestro Tequilero

More than a Vision: The Maker Mindset Behind Altos

At Altos, we celebrate the spirit of the Maker, a mindset that draws strength from our origins and unique provenance, blending traditional and modern techniques to craft a tequila endorsed by bartenders worldwide. In a world full of experts competing for recognition, Altos stands out by empowering those who value experience and hands-on involvement over reputation alone. We believe in keeping quality simple and accessible, promoting enjoyment in the craft.

Makers are intentional creators, guided by heart and hands, who dare to experiment and innovate with purpose, respecting tradition while always seeking improvement. Mixologists embody this creative spirit, inspiring consumers to engage deeply and stay open to new possibilities. At Altos, we aim to bring quality down to earth, enabling Makers to thrive through hands-on experiences.

A New Bottle, the Same Maker Spirit

In 2025, Altos unveiled a striking new bottle design inspired by its artisanal production and deep-rooted Mexican heritage. Drawing on Mexico’s vibrant rótulos, the expressive hand-painted street signs famous for their character and typography, the redesign celebrates the Maker Spirit at the heart of Altos. It preserves iconic features such as the distinctive wooden lid while elevating the brand’s premium, crafted appeal and championing sustainability on shelves and back bars worldwide.

Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Backbar Functionality

True quality requires time, respect for ingredients, and a low environmental impact. Our production process rejects modern shortcuts, relying instead on artisanal steps that maximize the natural character of the agave. We harvest mature blue agave from the red soils of Los Altos de Jalisco, cooking the hearts slowly to unlock their rich, deep sweetness.

What truly sets Altos apart is the tahona: a 500-year-old ancestral technique in which a heavy volcanic stone crushes the cooked agave to extract its juices. This method is a crucial part of how every Altos tequila is made. After crushing, our team ferments and double-distills the liquid to produce an authentic, premium spirit.

This rigorous process serves a functional purpose: creating a tequila that always works, elevating cocktails rather than disappearing behind citrus or sweet mixers.

“We developed this profile by taking advantage of the points of view of people who have close contact with final consumers. The global bartender community shaped the success of Altos through their direct participation.”

— Jesús Hernández, Maestro Tequilero

More than a Vision: The Maker Mindset Behind Altos

At Altos, we celebrate the spirit of the Maker, a mindset that draws strength from our origins and unique provenance, blending traditional and modern techniques to craft a tequila endorsed by bartenders worldwide. In a world full of experts competing for recognition, Altos stands out by empowering those who value experience and hands-on involvement over reputation alone. We believe in keeping quality simple and accessible, promoting enjoyment in the craft.

Makers are intentional creators, guided by heart and hands, who dare to experiment and innovate with purpose, respecting tradition while always seeking improvement. Mixologists embody this creative spirit, inspiring consumers to engage deeply and stay open to new possibilities. At Altos, we aim to bring quality down to earth, enabling Makers to thrive through hands-on experiences.

A New Bottle, the Same Maker Spirit

In 2025, Altos unveiled a striking new bottle design inspired by its artisanal production and deep-rooted Mexican heritage. Drawing on Mexico's vibrant rótulos, the expressive hand-painted street signs famous for their character and typography, the redesign celebrates the Maker Spirit at the heart of Altos. It preserves iconic features such as the distinctive wooden lid while elevating the brand's premium, crafted appeal and championing sustainability on shelves and back bars worldwide.

The Founders and Creators of Our Tequila

Jesús Hernández

Jesús Hernández

Maestro Tequilero

Dré Masso

Dré Masso

Bartender

Henry Besant (1972–2013)

Henry Besant (1972–2013)

Bartender

Jesús Hernández

Jesús Hernández is the Maestro Tequilero who keeps the brand grounded, supervising every aspect of production at our birthplace, Destilería Colonial de Jalisco in Los Altos. Born in Jalisco and raised in California, he spent years studying architecture and bottle manufacturing in the United States before bringing his specialized knowledge back to Mexico to help construct our distillery. He entered the spirits industry in 1980 and has served as Maestro Tequilero since 1997, leading production with the ancestral tahona stone process for decades. In 2009, he partnered with the late Henry Besant and Dré Masso to create Altos, and in 2024 he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by The Spirits Business Awards. His vision has paved the way for a new generation of tequila enthusiasts, bridging tradition and modernity, and the connection to the distillery remains deeply familial, with his son, also named Jesús, guiding guests through the facility.

“Jesús is a true master both as a distiller and as a man; he’s deeply rooted in the culture of the highlands, understanding the sensitivities of the area, its people, and tequila.” – Henry Besant

Dré Masso

Born in London with Colombian heritage, Dré Masso is a recognized leader and an industry legend within the bar world. He made his name at London’s top bars, including the Atlantic Bar, Lonsdale, and FAM, worked alongside Julio Bermejo in San Francisco, and co-founded the Worldwide Cocktail Club with Henry Besant. He previously owned the Green & Red tequila bar and served as Director of Bars at Potato Head in Bali. During his time behind the bar, Masso identified a clear gap in the global tequila market for a high-quality spirit tailored to mixing; in 2009 he partnered with Maestro Tequilero Jesús Hernández to create Altos, a tequila crafted by bartenders, for bartenders. He has authored two cocktail books, was nominated for Best Bar Mentor at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in 2016, and in 2025 was named Best International Brand Ambassador by the Spirited Awards for his work with Altos.

Henry Besant (1972–2013)

The late Henry Besant was a world-renowned bartender, founder of Mas Café and the Lonsdale Bar, and co-creator of the Worldwide Cocktail Club with Dré Masso, a drinks consultancy focused on bartender training. He started in the service industry at 16, opened Mas Café in Notting Hill in 1993, and later became director and general manager of the private members’ club 57 Jermyn Street. In 2003, he earned back-to-back Time Out Bar of the Year awards with the Lonsdale Bar. Alongside Masso, Besant recognized that international markets needed an authentic, 100% blue agave tequila that combined professional backbar functionality with genuine accessibility. He co-created Altos, an award-winning premium tequila, and his legacy continues to inspire the global bartender community.

Why Altos Always Works for Your Cocktails

The ultimate proof of our liquid lies in its performance. When you mix a drink, you need a base spirit that enhances your ingredients without overwhelming the palate. Altos Always Works because its creators calculated every parameter of the liquid for this exact purpose.

Whether you select the bright, herbal notes of Plata or the gentle oak sweetness of Reposado, you receive a spirit that holds its character against citrus, bitters, and syrups.

Our team validates every production batch to secure this consistency. By choosing Altos, you choose a tequila designed by bartenders, perfected by a Maestro Tequilero, and dedicated to cocktail perfection.

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