Ilegal Mezcal
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverages |
| Founded | 2006 in Antigua Guatemala |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York , United States |
| Products | Mezcal |
| Parent | Bacardi (minority interest since 2017) |
Ilegal Mezcal is a mezcal label established in 2006 in Antigua Guatemala. Crafted from Espadín agave sourced in Oaxaca, Mexico, the spirit undergoes double distillation and is distinguished by its characteristic smoky taste. The brand also promotes the "Ilegal" cocktail. The enterprise originally started in 2004 by importing mezcal from Oaxaca to Guatemala. The official launch of the Ilegal brand took place in 2006, followed by securing distribution within the United States by 2010.
In 2017, the global spirits corporation Bacardi acquired a minority interest to facilitate broader national distribution. By 2020, Ilegal Mezcal had exceeded sales of 40,000 cases, qualifying it as a craft distillery under the guidelines of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), and it earned certification from Mexico’s National "Consejo Regulador del Mezcal" (CRM).
According to Shanken's Impact Databank, Ilegal Mezcal moved around 174,000 cases in the U.S. during 2022, achieving a 37.4% volume share—the largest market portion held by any mezcal brand. In 2023, Bacardi declared its intention to fully acquire Ilegal Mezcal, underscoring its strategy to strengthen its footprint in the expanding mezcal sector.