Bobby Huegel's mezcal trip
Hat tip to Andrew Friedman for bringing this fun video featuring Bobby Huegel and crew to our attention. It follows a palenque visit in Jalisco, possibly elsewhere, and featured Bobby discussing the debate over the NORMA, what constitutes a mezcal,
Tres' mezcal road II
Yesterday we had a fine time at Tres' back room wending our way through their annual La Ruta del Mezcal with a variety of fellow aficionados and industry reps. A special shout out to Jayson Naona who organized everything. We
La Ruta de Mezcal comes through San Francisco this weekend
Last year Tres launched it's Ruta de Mezcal tasting in the back room. It's back in town this coming Sunday 2-6PM so grab your tickets. Last year it was positively packed, this year promises more - more vendors, more food, more
Focus: Ramirez Liquor
No visit to Los Angeles is complete without a stop at Ramirez Liquor. I usually hit the one at Soto and 7th so I can check out tacos on Cesar Chavez. They have a few other locations around the city,
La Cuevita – The Mezcal Cave of Los Angeles
It’s been awhile since I had a chance to get to Los Angeles for a pure mezcal weekend, couched with the perfect excuse of a baby shower, Oaxacan style. This time, I took the bus down and back as I
Mezcal hits Australia with Agave Love
This coming weekend, March 22-23 Sydney will be hosting Agave Love which sounds like a fantastic confluence of agave producers and lovers. I recently chatted with the organizer, longtime Sydney restauranteur Phil Bayly about the event, his background, and the
Nick Peters: Why your restaurant needs a mezcal sommelier
Our recent article about the need for mezcal sommeliers generated quite a response from readers and the industry. There’s remarkable agreement from all sides of the mezcal equation that having a bartender or waiter who knows from agave distillates. For
Benito Juarez loved mezcal
At least we hope he did because we had quite a tasting in his honor last night at Lolo in San Francisco. Mezcal Head, aka Ken Taylor, joined me to pour a fantastic variety of Oaxaca's liquid pride in honor
Out in the field with mezcal and tequila guide Clayton Szczech
Clayton Szczech has been guiding tours through the world of tequila since 2008 and expanded into mezcal tours in 2012. We’ve been talking a lot lately as he charts a course through many of the agave growing regions of Mexico.
Vago special releases
Vago has started special limited releases of small batches. The Blanco y Negra is: This 175 liter batch was made by Salomon Rey Rodriguez (Tío Rey) in Sola de Vega, Oaxaca (16°28’44.72”N 96°57’42.80”W) in August of 2014. It was made from 77%