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[title]Every May 18, Whisky Day celebrates a spirit historically associated with places like Scotland, the United States, or Japan. But far from those traditional whisky maps, Mendoza has begun writing its own story. At the foot of the Andes, where wine shaped the region’s identity for decades, another industry is now emerging—one that seeks to express the province’s terroir and unique production conditions. And while wine remains the star, more and more projects are expanding the map of local drinks with identities of their own, from gin and cider to mountain-made spirits redefining Mendoza’s beverage scene.
In Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo, The Williams Casanegra Distillery was born from the vision of two brothers determined to create a whisky with international standards and a distinctly Mendocinian soul. Here, altitude, glacial meltwater, and an extreme climate become the raw materials for an Andean single malt that offers an experience extending far beyond the glass.
With personalized visits, tours through its “productive village,” and curated tastings, the distillery opens its doors to an experience where whisky also becomes a way of exploring and understanding the Andes.
Casanegra: A Whisky with Mendocinian DNA
In a province where wine seems to define the culture, Gabriel and Cristian Williams asked themselves an inevitable question: “Why not produce a whisky that represents the Andes?” That curiosity—born within a family deeply rooted in whisky-drinking traditions—became the starting point for the brothers, partners, and whisky makers. Rather than replicating classic styles, their goal was to create something entirely their own: a malt with Andean identity, shaped by altitude, a dry continental climate, and glacial meltwater.
The result is Casanegra Andes Single Malt, a whisky that stands apart through its connection to the Mendocinian landscape—from barley grown at altitude in the Valle de Uco to the use of barrels sourced from some of Mendoza’s most renowned wineries, which influence the maturation profile. Chardonnay and Semillón casks, for example, leave their mark on the aging process, weaving the region’s winemaking heritage into every bottle.
Also of interest: 10 Mendoza wines that represent the DNA of their creators
Behind each expression is a commitment to crafting an artisanal spirit with complete traceability and a strong sense of identity. Here, time itself becomes part of the value. More than a decade of barrel aging, careful process decisions, and attention to every stage result in a whisky with remarkable depth.
The Williams Casanegra Distillery: “A Village” Dedicated to Whisky
Walking through the distillery means stepping into what its founders call a “productive village.” Every stage of production has its own place and rhythm. From malting, fermentation, and distillation to maturation and cooperage, everything happens within the same property, creating a circuit that blends technical expertise with the surrounding landscape.
The process begins in the mountains, with high-altitude barley irrigated by glacial meltwater, rain, and snowfall. At the distillery, the grain is malted and transformed into wort before fermentation begins with native yeasts. Double distillation—in large copper stills with a strong historical character—produces the base spirit that, over time and barrel aging, becomes whisky.
More than a technical explanation, the tour invites visitors to understand the reasoning behind every decision, the importance of detail, and the respect for natural resources. Even traceability becomes part of the experience, with bottles featuring QR codes that allow guests to discover the origin and production process of each batch.
Tours, Tastings, and Visitor Spaces
The The Williams Casanegra Distillery experience does not end with production. Inside the distillery—and serving as the first stop for visitors—is Chupacabras Whisky Boutique & Club, a space that captures the spirit of the house through an intimate and immersive atmosphere where mountain aesthetics meet contemporary design. Wood, fire, textures, and dim lighting create an environment that encourages visitors to slow down and stay awhile.
Experiences range from guided tours to curated tastings of different Andes Single Malt expressions, often paired with specially designed food pairings. Among them is a selection of artisanal cheeses chosen to complement and amplify the whisky’s notes and complexity. There are also lunches and dinners and, for those seeking an even more leisurely experience, a dedicated Cigar Lounge featuring a curated cigar selection. Every visit adapts to different interests and rhythms, but always revolves around enjoying whisky through all the senses.
Architecture with History
At The Williams Casanegra Distillery, architecture is not merely a backdrop—it is part of the story itself. The project proposes a thoughtful integration of landscape, production, and design, where every element interacts with the Andean environment and its culture. In fact, it received a Gold award in the Architecture and Landscaping category at the Best Of Mendoza’s Wine Tourism awards, presented by Great Wine Capitals, the organization recognizing excellence in wine tourism across the world’s eleven wine capitals.
Gabriel and Cristian Williams oversaw both the design and construction, guided by a clear idea: rescuing materials with history and giving them new life. Beams, columns, stones, and structural pieces from century-old wineries and olive mills, former distilleries, and even iconic buildings such as the railway station and the Argentine Post Office were carefully selected and repurposed. The result is an eclectic aesthetic blending luxury, industrial character, and artistry, complete with French copper stills and objects reinforcing the venue’s visual identity.
Every corner seems to tell a story, and together the distillery feels more like its own universe than a conventional building. The Williams Casanegra Distillery is a destination in itself—one that, in an era defined by immediacy, proposes a different rhythm: the pleasure of slowing down.
Where: Roque Sáenz Peña 7890, Las Compuertas, Luján de Cuyo.
Reservations: www.williamscasanegra.com. Tourism inquiries: +54 9 261 651 5335.