In this episode with Doug Richardson, we talk about all things agave. From how to choose the right species if you are working in California, to naming some of the most extravagan agaves that nobody has yet distilled but that may yield some delicious spirits.

For some, planting agaves outside of Mexican soil is a thorny issue, but just as it has happened to grapes, cacao or oranges, I think crops love to travel, and if they happen to fit a different place and culture, they should be given the chance to thrivein those new environments. I may be wrong, but that is where I stand 😘

I hope you enjoy it!

Quizás sea un vicio de los malos, pero siempre me han encantado los productos que son casi invisibles. Por suerte algunos de ellos ahora empiezan a concentrar fama y atención, como el mezcal, pero otros siguen ninguneados.

A mi parecer ese es el caso del cacao mexicano, si bien todos hemos comido y disfrutado de algún tipo de chocolate, conozco a muy poca gente que me pueda hablar de regiones, variedades o productores específicos.

En esta conversación con Karina Archundia, reina indiscutible del cacao en la gran ciudad de México, hablamos de pinole, chocolate, policultivos y varias otras cosas bellas.

One of the most extravagant expressions I've had in a long time is Mauricio Cantú's Sotol, produced in Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila. I had the privilege of visiting this territory, and I can testify that everything up there is unique, from the soil to the technologies they have used over time. I welcome you to this unlikely episode. I hope you enjoy it!

Bienvenidos a Heritage Mezcal en Español.

En este episodio con Alan Schubert y Enrique Cesard nos acercamos a la muy improbable historia de los vinos del Norte, específicamente a la de aquellos producidos en Nuevo León. Si no ha tenido el gusto de probarlo, recomiendo ampliamente pedirse una botella de Pecho Tierra, y si ya lo probaron, pues aquí está la historia completa del como, donde y porqué.

I think a lot about agriculture, in my mind it was the first way in which humans expressed themselves. They planted for survival, but also to meet and expand their desires.

They were able to create more deliciousness and more complexity hand in hand with the territory they worked. The land was loved and it loved us back. Somehow, just very recently, this relationship was broken. And now it seems we've decided to abuse the land and the environments we live in rather than work with them.

In this second episode with Sophia Trapp, we explore how agave and mezcal production could possibly offer some answers to how we can love our land once again. I hope you enjoy it.

Coahuila is the third-largest state in all of Mexico. But in many ways, it is a discrete, unknown territory. I personally know very few people who have traveled to Saltillo or who have roamed around the state. Happily, a few months ago, I had the chance to visit Casa Sotol, a project led by Fernanda Arrillaga, which is crafting some of the most exciting juice I've tried in a long time. I won't explain much more, but needless to say, start planning a trip to Coahuila to enjoy some very pretty sotol.

La totalidad de México me emociona y me entusiasma, pero siempre tengo algún favorito de temporada, y ahorita Guadalajara trae a mi corazón latiendo fuerte: sus calles, sus museos, la gran oferta de destilados, los infinitos remedios para la cruda. Entre todos los lugares que me encantan en esta capital, uno que creo representan la gran imaginación tapatía es "Mecenas", con sus licores caseros, destilados experimentales y botanas callejeras.

Hace ya unos meses tuve la oportunidad de sentarme con Santos (recién reconocido como El Bartender Promesa por MXBEST y uno de los fundadores de este bar), a compartir y contarnos sobre la amplitud de este proyecto que se agarra de la historia pero gusta de jugar. Espero disfruten esta conversación y que se den una vuelta para probar su larga oferta de menjurges deliciosos.

In this conversation with my dear friend Fabio Raya, we explore many of the ideas we were exposed to at the "VI Simposio Internacional de Agave". This episode includes everything from using agave as livestock silage to developing a comprehensive strategy for using 2 million hectares of Mexican arid land—a full labyrinth.

Big shout-out to Fernanda Arrillaga, from Casa Sotol, for hosting us and letting us record at her beautiful house in Saltillo.

And huge thanks to Alan and the whole team at Pechotierra for taking us to Jorge Luis Torres Casas vinata to get a proper education on Nuevo León spirits and for allowing us to catch the lovely picture featured in this episode.

Cheers y feliz día de muertos y todos santos.