MILPA AC and its case for biodiversity to save mezcal
The future of mezcal depends on the preservation of biodiversity. If we want to keep mezcal flowing, we might have to switch to a seasonal consumption that values quality over quantity. The growing popularity of mezcal in the world has created
Spirited women
Just back from the San Antonio Cocktail Conferences (my recap is here) where I was able to attend some terrific seminars helmed by a few leaders in the industry, who happen to be women. I say it like that because I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with how marginalizing it feels to use the phrasing female bartenders, female distillers, female brand ambassadors, etc when really, we have been here all along. The rest of the world is just waking up to that. By putting female, or woman before laymen's terms, it continues to make us more of a novelty or side bar, rather than the truth of the matter - we are fully integrated in this business, as marketers, as writers, as owners and as consumers.
Agave on screen goes big time

Agave: Spirit of a Nation
Looky here, a new documentary about mezcal from the people who brought you Decanted featuring some of our favorite people in the mezcal world including Graciela Angeles, Aquilino Lopez, and Carlos Camarena. It won't be ready for release until early
Why does mezcal need to be the torch bearer for sustainability?
[caption id="attachment_6827" align="aligncenter" width="960"] New library in Santa Catarina Minas. Photo by Graciela Angeles[/caption]
This is not a rhetorical question and in fact it remained at the forefront of my mind as I spoke with brands, mezcaleros, development people, and academics while I was in Oaxaca, and prompted so many more questions. Why is there such an intense focus on sustainability within the mezcal industry? Just what is it about mezcal that inspires such a hard core call for sustainability?
In Memorium: Don Lorenzo Angeles
We are tremendously sad to hear the news that Don Lorenzo Angeles, the patriarch of the Angeles family which is responsible for Real Minero Mezcal, has died of lung cancer. Anyone who met him can vouch that he was a
Become a Mezcanaut, a true mezcal explorer
Need help navigating the rapidly changing and dangerous shoals of the mezcal world? Well, we have the event for you. Coming March 13th-14th in Oaxaca City Mezcanautica is set up to be a deep dive into the issues and questions driving