“It’s a terrible idea,” Bryan Cranston said to Aaron Paul, after Aaron suggested they partner on a mezcal company together. “No one wants to drink mezcal.”

Turns out Cranston was wrong. In December 2019, the Breaking Bad stars launched Dos Hombres Mezcal and the brand has seen tremendous growth since. They visited Wally’s Santa Monica in March 2022 to sign bottles of their flagship Dos Hombres Joven Mezcal and share a bit about their venture.

Born over a dinner in New York, the idea for launching a mezcal brand has transformed not only the spirits industry—but also both actors’ tastes in mezcal.

Aaron originally preferred bold, smoky spirits, while Bryan was drawn to smooth and subtle flavors. As they started to research for their own brand, though, they each began to influence the other’s palate.

The result is that Dos Hombres reflects a perfect middle-ground between their differences: smooth, subtly smoky, with a rich, warming feel as it goes down.

It’s also the perfect all-around spirit. Cranston notes that Dos Hombres tastes incredible with a variety of different juices and flavors, making it a delicious replacement for spirits in cocktail recipes. Try it in place of bourbon for a smokey old-fashioned, or in place of gin for a unique negroni. He also loves that it can be light and refreshing in a spritz, great as a low-cal drink with club soda and lime, or a smoky addition to a hearty cocktail.

When it comes to what food to enjoy with it, the answer is obvious: “Mexican food,” they agree, since the subtle spices are a wonderful pairing to the flavors of a carne asada burrito or al pastor taco. But there is a surprise twist. “I love having it with chocolate,” Paul says. “It’s a perfect nightcap before bed.”

What’s next for the brand and the dynamic duo? Bryan is working on creating signature Dos Hombres cocktails of his own, one for summer and one for winter. They’re also a featured brand at Wally’s Tequila & Mezcal Festival at Resorts World in Las Vegas, where you can experience their incredible mezcal for yourself.

Get your tickets to the festival and join us to taste over 100 of the finest tequilas and mezcals from Mexico!