Gulf Coast Distillers

Nearly a century ago, Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno’s grandfather started a coffee business in Spain, expanding his enterprise to the fertile soils of Veracruz, Mexico.

In 1998, De Aldecoa family bought the then memorable Uncle Ben’s Rice manufacturing facility on Clinton Drive. Now the facility has been turned into a world-class coffee plant and distillery, expanding the beverage imperium with the creation of Gulf Coast Distillers.

1920s

Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno’s grandfather, Carlos de Aldecoa Fernandez started a coffee business in Madrid Spain.

When the Spanish Civil War forced the family to flee the country, they took their enterprise to the fertile soils of Veracruz, Mexico.

1930s

Started establishing coffee production in Veracruz, Mexico.

It quickly expanded to include coffee farms, roasting, retailing and decaffeination.

1963

Carlos de Aldecoa Pereda, the founder’s son, was born in Cordoba Veracruz, and was steeped in the coffee industry from a very young age.

In 1963, he took the reigns and expanded the company’s operations in Mexico.

1985

Expansion needs led Carlos de Aldecoa Pereda to move the family business to Houston TX, where the de Aldecoa family has resided since 1985.

1997

In 1997, Carlos de Aldecoa Pereda and his son Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno started Eximius Coffee LLC in Houston Texas, as the sales arm representing the extensive manufacturing, processing and importing capabilities of the organization.

1998

Fresh from graduating from the University of Houston, Carlos and his family opened CADECO industries in 1998 in the shuttered Uncle Ben’s rice manufacturing plant in historic East Houston.

2009

In 2009, the company began to produce and commercialize/market Café Diario in the United States, offering a variety of products and presentations to satisfy the needs of the Texas coffee market. The presentations include roasted, ground, and instant coffees in both regular and decaffeinated forms.

2014/2015

The Distilled Spirits Idea is born under the name Gulf Coast Distillers and our TABC Distillers Permit and our Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) permit is issued.

2016/2017

– Three pot stills, mash tun and fermenters are installed
– Dave Pickerell consults to develop our MASH bills and our distillation processes.
– Distillation started!
– Second bottling line installed.

2018

1,000th Barrel is produced!

2019

Distillery doors open to the public for tours and our tasting room Ben’s Den.