Francisco "Tío Chico" García

The legendary mezcalero Francisco “Tío Chico” García passed away in December 2020, leaving behind a tremendous legacy in home town of San Luis Amatlán, with the torch now being carried by his wife Cristina, their children and grandchildren. We first met Tío Chico’s family at a serendipitous moment in the Spring of 2013, in the mountains of Miahuatlán, in between stops as they visited long-standing clients and friends in the villages of the Sierra Sur. We visited their home frequently, and were regularly present for birthday celebrations, weddings, anniversaries, and during the days surrounding Día de Muertos. Tío Chico and Cristina were present at the plaza of Miahuatlán nearly every Monday and had a booth at dozens of different annual bailes in various villages throughout the valley and mountains of Miahuatlán. For over fifty years, the couple facilitated far too many fiestas to count, and their contribution to magueyero, palenquero and general miahuateco culture cannot be overstated.