Episodes

  • The ominous threat of Mezcal tariffs
    Jan 2 2025

    Check out the diverse selection of Mexican spirits being imported by Lot001 Brands! They have Mi Casa Tequila, Parejo (which offers Sotol and Lechugilla expressions), Rancho Tepúa (which offers Bacanora, Lechuguilla, and Palmilla expressions), Whiskey Maíz Nation, and Pelacañas Rum!

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    19 mins
  • Should we limit the limited-release Mezcals?
    Dec 26 2024

    Shout outs this episode to Mezonte, Off Premise: Wine, Agave, Whiskey & Craft Beer, and Alambique Serrano Single-Origin Oaxacan Rum!

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    25 mins
  • Why is Espadin the only Angustifolia in Oaxaca?
    Dec 19 2024
    Mezcal geeks love to run down all the varieties of Agave Karwinskii they can name. And when we talk about Agave Americana, we talk about Arroqueno and Coyote and Sierra Negra. But the most prolific of agaves in Oaxaca is easily Angustifolia, represented exclusively by Espadin. But that’s not the sole variety of the species – at least, outside of Oaxaca. So why don’t we talk about varieties of Angustifolia in Oaxaca? And is that a possible solution to the growing monoculture in Mezcal? It’s another head-scratching episode of Agave Road Trip! Agave Road Trip is a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast that helps gringx bartenders better understand agave, agave spirits, and rural Mexico. This episode is hosted by Lou Bank with special guest Linda Sullivan of seynasecreto with insights from mezcalero Arturo Campos of San Juan Espanatica, Jalisco.
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    16 mins
  • The 400 decisions of Tequila
    Dec 12 2024

    In addition to our quoted friends at Cambio Tequila and Tequila Torrente, we also mention this episode Felipe Camarena of G4 Tequila and Greg Rutkowski of Finca 18 and 30 Topes Mixto de Agave, and Chava Periban of the podcast “Heritage Mezcal.” And Steve Dahl. And Dark Matter Coffee’s Star Lounge.

    To learn more about the fascinating agricultural practices of Tequila Torrente, read “A Better Way to Grow Agave Leads to World’s First Certified Regenerative Tequila” in UnderstandingAg.

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    37 mins
  • The day celebrating the people who work at bars
    Dec 5 2024

    National Bartenders Day is the first Friday of December. That’s December 6 in 2024!

    Listen to Bridget’s podcast, “Served Up,” here! To listen to the episode I was on, click here.

    Healthy Pour is a boutique coaching and consulting firm dedicated to transforming the global landscape of work. Founder Laura Louise Green has deep roots in the hospitality industry and does much of her work with hospitality folks.

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    19 mins
  • Another way to bring the desert to your bar
    Nov 28 2024

    If you’re in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca, go drink pulque at Reina Cortes Cortes’s A&V La Casa del Pulque. Drink the pulque — all the pulque — but also check out Quiote de Maguey Escabeche from Mujeres 5 Estrellas!

    Check out Lyanne’s article that inspired this episode: “Meet the Cactus Powering a New Generation of Latino-Owned Businesses,” Inc., September 16, 2024

    Tia Lupita Foods offers a range of chips made from nopales!

    Nemi Snacks has a line of nopale-based chips, too, but shaped more like Takis — but significantly healthier!

    The movie Lyanne references is Flamin’ Hot!

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    29 mins
  • A different approach to additive-free Tequila
    Nov 21 2024

    If you’re not already all over the Tequila Matchmaker app, you should be. Scarlet and Grover have built an amazing resource for anyone interested at any level in Tequila.

    They started the Additive-Free Alliance, a coalition of Tequila brands, retailers, consumers, and producers of other agave-based products who are dedicated to processes that do not use additives.

    “An Undercover Operation, a Raid and the Fight Over What Makes a True Tequila,” Wall Street Journal, June 29, 2024

    If you want to learn about the 1990 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act and what came before it, check out “History of Nutrition Labeling” from the National Library of Medicine.

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    21 mins
  • The physical cost of pre-industrial Mezcal
    Nov 14 2024

    Shout out to Lalo Angeles of Lalocura for his insights about the damage done to the palenqueros who mill agave by hand.

    Shout out to Jake Lustig of Mina Real and Mezcal Don Amado for his efforts to reduce smoke in the lives of the people from whom he sources his spirits.

    Shout out to Neta for supporting the healthcare of mezcalero Celso Garcia.

    Shout out to Dark Matter Coffee and Maguey Melate for supporting healthcare costs for some families in need in rural Oaxaca.

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    26 mins