Whisky Names Explained: Zanja-Madre

Last week we were in Los Angeles, where we paid a visit to Hollywood Distillery, the only distillery in this legendary neighborhood. That’s where they make whiskey, and today we’re sharing the story behind the name Zanja-Madre.

This American distillery makes two products that put a smile on our face:

Sounds bold and a little mysterious, doesn’t it? It’s certainly less obvious than the distillery’s own name. So in an exclusive interview, more on that later, we asked where the name comes from.

As it turns out, the name is deeply rooted in the history of Los Angeles, and by extension, in the DNA of this distillery.

Zanja Madre literally translates to “the mother ditch.” It was Los Angeles’s first aqueduct, built at the end of the 18th century. A simple network of open clay channels carried water from the Los Angeles River to the settlement. Without it, agriculture would have been impossible. And without agriculture, there would have been no city—and no Hollywood.

We all know what that implies: no film industry as we know it today, no legendary aura, none of the magic. Step inside the distillery, by the way, and you’ll see walls lined, right up to the restrooms, with photos of celebrities enjoying a drink. In the ladies’ room, for instance, there’s a shot of Leonardo DiCaprio savoring the nectar of the gods.

Anyway, back to the name. Water was the lifeblood of the region, and this zanja madre marked the beginning of it all.

Hollywood Distillery deliberately chose to name its spirits after elements of local history. And of course, whiskey doesn’t exist without water, bringing the story full circle.

It’s also worth noting that both the bourbon and the rye mature in an extremely dry climate. Los Angeles is not Kentucky. Evaporation is much higher here, creating a different balance: lighter, softer, and a touch sweeter than you might expect from American whiskey. It does mean a very high angel’s share, but we’ll have more on that soon.

Curious about the origins behind whisky names? Check out our complete Whisky Names Explained.