Internet Articles About Mezcal Which Have Come Across My Desk
(yes, I still have a desktop computer on an actual desk)
January 7, 2025: A few years ago I (Alvin) introduced my business associate to palenquero José Alberto Pablo. He in turn introduced the brand owner of Creador Agave Spirits to José Pablo. And more recently Creador launched José Pablo's mezcal. Now in the marketplace there are well over 20 brands which owe their existence to us at Mezcal Educational Excursions of Oaxaca: Made in Clay: The family that has been making clay pots for mezcaleros for generations — Creador Agave Spirits
December 14: Will mezcal go the way of tequila viz. the use of exclusively agave clones? I think not, and explain the reasons on our educational tours: Blue Agave’s Genetic Decline Threatens Tequila Production
October 2024: In the wake of October 7, these Israelis are now producing an agave distillate: Kibbutz that fought off Oct. 7 terror endeavors to develop Israeli version of tequila | The Times of Israel
October 2024: The best places in the US to drink mezcal: The 10 Best Mezcal Bars and Mezcalerías in the U.S. | PUNCH (punchdrink.com)
June 2024: The mezcal boom and its importance for the economy of Oaxaca: Why is Mezcal so important to the future of Oaxaca? - MexConnect
June 2024: The rise of agave distillates in India: Is Agave The New Gin? Exploring The Rise Of India’s Next Big Drinking Trend | Times Now (timesnownews.com)
June 2/23: The importance of agave spirits: Having A Moment: Please Drink More Mezcal. Like, Right Now. | Newcity Resto
April 23/23: The best mezcals for making margaritas, according to some supposedly in the know: The Best Mezcal Brands for Margaritas, According to Bartenders | PUNCH (punchdrink.com)
April 22/23: A new mezcal bar in San Miguel de Allende: ANOTHER New Mezcal Bar in San Miguel de Allende? (substack.com)
April 10/23: California's agave distillate industry is taking off: California’s take on tequila, mezcal coming to distilleries | The Sacramento Bee (sacbee.com)
January 10/23: Opportunities for finding palenques between Oaxaca and the coast: Finding Mezcal Along One of Mexico's Most Notorious Roads - InsideHook
January 18/23: Read the results of a recent mezcal blind tasting: Takeaway From a Mezcal Blind Tasting - Tequila Aficionado Magazine
September 23/22: Here's a very recent article about the boom in sotol: What is sotol and why is it all the rage now? (mysanantonio.com)
September 15/22: Here's my own article about the business of mezcal, in particular addressing the problems with being critical of celebrity incursion into the industry, and multinationals' takeover of some of our favourite brands: The Business of Agave Distillates: Does Multinational Takeover and Cel (mezcalforlife.com)
July 30/22: This article outlines some of the problems we face in the mezcal industry: Mezcal Dogmatism & Misinformation: The Bane of the Industry - Tequila Aficionado Magazine
July 24/22: Here's the most recent piece about the mezcal explosion in England: Is Mezcal the new gin? What it is and where to drink the hottest spirit of the moment | Metro News
July 19/22: Methanol poisoning raises its ugly head once again, but seemingly not related to mezcal and likely not related to other agave distillates in Oaxaca or elsewhere in Mexico: Methanol in blood of teens who died in South African tavern (msn.com)
July 12/22: Agave and Its Distillates outside of Mexico: Just Don’t Call it Tequila: The Global Agave Boom Has Arrived | Wine Enthusiast Magazine (winemag.com)
June 25/22: How to develop a recipe for mezcal de pechuga: The Anatomy of Mezcal de Pechuga Recipe Development - Tequila Aficionado Magazine
June 12/22: Mezcal helps tequila in lifting American agave distillate sales above that of whiskey: Mezcal and Tequila Pass Whiskey as US's Second-Most Purchased Spirit - Bloomberg
May 20/22: Another piece about the challenge to maintain longstanding traditions of making mezcal in rural Oaxaca, and the desire for a cheap fix: Slow, Reflective, Quiet — Meditations on Mezcal in San Baltazar Guelavila — Good Beer Hunting
May 13/22: Capitalism and Mezcal: Here's an interesting piece by a client, now friend with his own UK brand, Sin Gusano. I have my own thoughts, but for now, have a look at this: Capitalism, celebrity, and the death of Mezcal | by Jon Darby | May, 2022 | Medium
April 30/22: The best mezcals in the US today? Here's what some industry professionals have recently opined: Best Mezcal Brands Available in the US - Thrillist
April 30/22: While the industry professional can opine as much as they want, there is an additional consideration for all of us prior to committing to buying an agave distillate, mezcal or otherwise: How to Choose a Brand of Mezcal to Buy - Tequila Aficionado
March 27/22: The Commission Conundrum for the mezcal tour guide or teacher, this being one of a number of articles designed to assist those in or wanting to get into the business: Successful Tour Guide Series: The Commission Conundrum - Tequila Aficionado
March 21/22: The folks at tequilaaficionado.com have been kind enough to publish my articles designed to help aspiring mezcal guides and others interested in teaching about Mexican distillates, so here is the first in a series of articles with that theme in mind: How to Be a Successful Distillery Tour Guide - Tequila Aficionado
March 21/22: And here is the second article in the series, dealing with whether or not there is a conflict between the mezcal tour facilitator, the client, and the distiller, and assuming there is, how to avoid the appearance of conflict: Successful Tour Guide Series: Conflict of Interest - Tequila Aficionado
March 19: Food & Wine recently published what it states are the best mezcals according to industry professionals. While I rarely drink export brands, I agree with some, while others no way. Should not any listing include reputation of brand owners and palenqueros in the broader agave distillate community? What perks are the pros given to rate as high, or what are the prersonal relationships at play? Premium Mezcal Recommendations from Top Beverage Professionals | Food & Wine (foodandwine.com)
January 25/22: The Filipino connection in the history of distilling mezcal: https://www.sapiens.org/column/entanglements/tequila-origins-tuba/
January 6/22: Thumbs up to our friend Lou Bank for being honored by Imbibe Magazine for his untiring work with agave distillate promotion and dedication to charitable causes: https://imbibemagazine.com/imbibe-75-person-to-watch-lou-bank/
November 23/21: The boom is interest in mezcal assists more than its palenqueros and tourism in Oaxaca in general: https://www.courthousenews.com/mezcals-day-in-the-sun-is-about-more-than-just-mezcal/
September 16/21: What is traditional mezcal? https://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/10/15/traditional-mezcal-the-myth-and-its-dissemination/
September 13/21: Mezcal: shipping, at the airport, and at customs: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/09/13/bringing-mezcal-from-oaxaca-home/
September 5/21: Article about two unique palenqueros in the state of Oaxaca who innovate, thinking out of the box: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/two-oaxacan-mezcal-distillers-who-think-outside-the-box/
August 20/21: Here's my book review about a recently published publication centering upon the business of mezcal, including the history of the boom, challenges and the future. It is an easy read even for those with limited Spanish comprehension ... but the review is in English: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/08/20/el-abc-del-negocio-del-mezcal/
May 22/21: Maestra Palenquera Lidia Hernández, her story, her family tragedy, and her rising to the occasion in the still male dominated world of mezcal in Oaxaca: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/mezcal-maker-fights-prejudices-to-continue-fathers-distillery/?fbclid=IwAR3fFSzo08m5__8Ra22UP20A2x0F1fTYm6fYpdVHGg-Gapxu9T-yIBAFEHI
May 30/21: Sombra & Bozal included in liquor.com's lineup of nine new mezcals to try, but I wonder how they came up with those (i.e. payola, publisher friends with brand owners, etc.; there are other new brands I suggest are better, but don't have th financial backing and shlepp of the big guns): https://www.liquor.com/new-mezcals-5086443?utm_campaign=liquor_consumer&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=23994467&utm_term=
May21/21: Combatting cultural appropriation allegations in the agave distillate business: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/05/20/striking-a-balance-mezcal-brand-owners-can-avoid-exploitation-allegations/
May 7/21: Are they really making their tequila the old-fashioned traditional way, a la artesanal mezcal today? https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/distillerys-tequila-methods-traditional-yet-also-innovative-sustainable/
April 18/21: A force to be reckoned with in the world of Oaxacan mezcal; she's young, bright, bilingual, and not constrained by family heritage. Santa Catarina Minas' Rosario Ángeles: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/04/18/oaxacan-palenquera-rosario-angeles/
April 15/21: Why do palenqueros mix different species and sub-species together, and what are they called: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/mezcal-ensambles-mezclas-blends-the-wherefore-the-why/
April 11/21: Is the mezcal you drink considered a "CRAFT SPIRIT?" Here are some thoughts: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/04/10/is-your-mezcal-a-craft-spirit/?fbclid=IwAR0WGuHYsf48HUT70pnh-Dm8BCEvAmU-UMa4wh3g1f96TIEBv3frdxRmt8o
March 16/21: Palenques in Oaxaca: Wonderful reading about a friend's new distillery producing ancestral mezcal near Oaxaca. Felicidades Rosario Ángeles and Mezcal Rambhá: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/oaxaca-palenques-mezcal-distilleries/
March 15/21: Methanol & Mezcal: https://www.aventurerosmezcal.mx/uncategorized/methanol-can-cause-blindness-is-it-present-in-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR3KcMCxp1YkRz57QwylwtRZ3ytu2Z6X6p8dMU6E2cR7mz94qcmjeuGKIYY
March 9/21: Life beyond mezcal and tequila in the world of agave distillates: https://www.winemag.com/2021/03/04/tequila-mezcal-best-agave-spirits/?fbclid=IwAR3H5uRblWKO9YIR7YLH0CbsJjJgHVjJ_zzeKRB6Xr6mBWPiPna_iOpTXQ0
January 24/21: Listen up, you Australian mezcal aficionados: https://www.theland.com.au/story/7089693/narrabri-team-puts-an-australian-spin-on-a-mexican-classic/?fbclid=IwAR03BA2k1kiZz2so_ODFNLL6-3P61izXXGcKzfdgPMSPTi665dX3QDjk3QE
January 1/21: Informative read provoking much discussion, about agave production for mezcal (and tequila) as sustainable for Mexico: https://www.salon.com/2021/01/01/the-sustainability-challenges-that-threaten-the-agave-industry_partner/?fbclid=IwAR0hazpLp-UNNEc4tX4LuRz7ou0QD6GT29_Fr7IdSo9d-2LAYXECpsWUNmU
December 16: 13 easy-to-make mezcal cocktails enumerated in forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2020/12/14/easy-cocktail-recipes-mezcal-cocktails-2020/?sh=577946113094
December 15: Agave Road Trip comments about mezcal for novices in this introductory article in Better Homes & Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/recipes/trends/what-is-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR2HDo1KSglwd224hMrj_ntG6a9oOX09HkHJM24Op1RzNhLbPRO97_fpm9o
September 27, 2020: Some categories of alcohol did well throughout this year. Mezcal was not one of them in terms of sales: https://vinepair.com/data-analysis/summer-2020-alcohol-trends-data-insight/
September 4, 2020: Did we really need to read an article in Forbes to convince us that mezcal is the healthiest of all spirits? https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaakim/2020/09/03/the-healthiest-alcohol/?fbclid=IwAR1unH7HKnJOp1ZTavU9_tXQr_P2VduJ5UbYblZHd4f4rVkiNbP9KG5Y2Lo#113c8c671475
August 26, 2020: Mezcal Doña Vega makes Forbes. Distilled by good friends, Juan Hernández and family: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabriellepharms/2020/08/26/doa-vega-how-founder-sonya-vega-auvray-went-from-pr-to-mezcal/#18a2ce538d7f
August 24, 2020: A very kind shout-out about the work we do to support the education of bright young indigenous women and their communities through our mezcal tours: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2020/08/16/mezcal-tour-supports-advancement-of-indigenous-women/
July 28, 2020: Friends and mezcal brand owners Dylan Sloan (Mezcal VAGO) and Read Spear (Mezcal Cuentacuentos) are doing their part to help Oaxaca during these rough economic times: https://www.5280.com/2020/07/colorado-mezcal-brands-work-with-oaxacan-producers-to-fight-covid-19/
July 11, 2020: The anticipated growth of mezcal in domestic and international markets over the next several years: https://coleofduty.com/news/2020/07/10/mezcal-market-share-worldwide-industry-growth-size-statistics-opportunities-forecasts-up-to-2026/
July 8, 2020: You may know something about shaking a bottle of mezcal to learn something about its quality. Actually, it's all about the size and how long the bubbles or perlas last, to determine the alcohol by volume, as explained here in terms of the science: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200707160149.htm?fbclid=IwAR3_MIOgdzEKQNk9n2BlrqYI3weL5x6TAj6v9RuXU0w5AftwEtP26ApO8BA
July 7, 2020: Can the small mezcal producers survive the COVID-19 crisis: https://daily.sevenfifty.com/small-tequila-and-mezcal-producers-struggle-to-survive/?fbclid=IwAR34IdAWdNPwdvGl5eIT5sjKxt7__f_zyyNldpP24jTE9a_YV03vcUneNYs
July 4, 2020: Market for mezcal in Canada growing, with the help of a couple of Canuck friends, Eric Lorenz who became a master mezcalier with me, and Dani Tatarin who I taught about the spirit beginning several years ago: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/article-agave-all-day-move-over-rose-tequila-is-the-drink-of-the-summer/?fbclid=IwAR0koFnLFQSarJIaFUEnVQHb1dn0Hk5T2wYE67X1b382vEwnKyHsQUWrz7U
July 3, 2020: A little piece Alvin wrote about considerations prior to embarking on a project making your own "mezcal:" https://ezinearticles.com/?Impediments-to-Making-Mexican-Mezcal-With-Your-Own-Agave&id=10316920
June 13, 2020: Make sure you know and trust your vendor or mezcal distiller before buying agave distillates on the street or elsewhere: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/adulterated-liquor-has-killed-189-people-since-may-1/
April 25, 2020: Visiting Oaxaca after COVID-19 is also for families of mezcal aficionados: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2020/04/25/oaxacan-mezcal-aficionados-embrace-a-visit-after-covid-19/
April 17, 2020: A relatively new face on the Oaxaca mezcal scene opines about his favorite agave distillates: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2020/04/17/best-mezcals-to-try-now-2020/?fbclid=IwAR1IJp7SxuuaiB9beZG1x4FEJJcWFr5qLWtuwmA5IEirSHuPRt6E3hxlJQA#297385ef3a3a
April 14, 2020: Just think of it, agave not for mezcal, but especially now, for making hand sanitizer, or better yet a biofuel: https://www.foodandwine.com/news/agave-hand-sanitizer-biofuel?fbclid=IwAR3wE89oV9-n4uLm10JfGOPCoF1-0AuczcN9u2aZgwBfe4c9Qqyo7k3_LoU
April 2, 2020: Women actually do make mezcal, and are an important and indispensable part of the process from baking agave through to the final distillation and determining ABV: https://ezinearticles.com/?Agave-Distillates-and-the-Women-Who-Make-Them:-Oaxacan-Mezcal-and-the-Female-of-the-Specie&id=10273414
March 17, 2020: Women and Mezcal: Another wealthy entrepreneur enters the market in Canada: https://bartenderatlas.com/features/community/creating-a-mezcal-brand-a-chat-with-carmen-of-mezcal-agua-santa/
March 15, 2020: Here's a rather comprehensive article about mezcal, though I don't agree with all of the suggestions. Nevertheless, worth a read: https://www.maxim.com/food-drink/mezcal-master-class-2020-3?fbclid=IwAR3WYI4zTmnaDEPDsJX9hCcOqWUIu1eNc7UlJKDTP73tvTFM9-5TstvgMVc
January 31, 2020: A recent article about pechuga mezcal: https://punchdrink.com/articles/problem-with-pechuga-mezcal/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=briefing&utm_campaign=sfc_drinkingwithesther
December 30: Mezcal cocktail recipes to start the new year: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/mezcal-is-complex-and-surprising/
December 21: Here's an opinion about the best mezcal bars in Mexico City, worth a read if you're planning a visit to the nation's capital, and certain if also coming to Oaxaca for mezcal: https://bigseventravel.com/2019/12/best-mezcal-bars-in-mexico-city/?fbclid=IwAR2xt5edDiltzQnsvXDbm8-CDDTqYSjMBaNyr0ggkSoZUsP25viqprL-dvk
December 14: FT just released this short film (a few minutes) about the Oaxaca mezcal boom: https://www.ft.com/video/72f87048-7c06-48cd-afc3-4786bf016b6b?fbclid=IwAR2Dq-snPMBAXqlPvjGSNLeZTyv2Wjg2-7cWDfz2hETQ52dr6PT5cHotGns
December 10: Pulque tour provides both tourists and Oaxacans with an extraordinary experience: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/11/28/harvesting-aguamiel-in-oaxaca/
November 18: A more or less accurate 60 second video which distinguishes mezcal from tequila: https://www.liquor.com/video/mezcal-in-60/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11.18%20Best%20Fancy%20Scotches-UNPAID&utm_content=Final&utm_term=Liquor:%20Total%20%28Consumer%29#gs.hhbn7x
November 14: Some inconsistencies in the story line of those experts who will not serve aged mezcal in Oaxaca, or elsewhere around the globe: https://ezinearticles.com/?Snobbism-and-Barrel-Aged-Mezcal:-How-the-Experts-Get-It-Wrong-in-Oaxaca-and-Globally&id=10206208
November 5: How the mezcal boom in Oaxaca has altered US / Mexico migratory patters: https://www.oaxaca-mezcal.com/alvins-blog/category/mezcal-migration-in-oaxaca
November 3: Please drink responsibly, and consider taking a break from time to time. I know of one palenquero who died of alcoholism related illnesses a few years ago, at 39 years of age, leaving behind his wife and five children. I am not promoting this program, but it does serve as a good reminder, for me and for everyone else who enjoys spirits in particular: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/takethechallenge?fbclid=IwAR0u0uCnPllVBOcHmA3EYE9wRu3M8xngM7iQ3SgOcuvy5vv98LW8FkPSF1Y
October 13: Why not entirely related to mezcal, I would suggest that it has application for those who pay attention to lists of the best mezcals in the US (and Canadian) market, for different reasons: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-bar-and-restaurant-lists-are-useless-written-by-bros-they-honour/?cmpid=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&fbclid=IwAR179yCIg1AAesoch2Bw8TWqqe737hBWANga7Fo-t3DrnYFabSDW3vwMkYI
October 10: Another larger mezcal brand sells out to a multinational as Montelobos goes the way of Pierde Almas and the others: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-09/campari-buys-montelobos-mezcal-to-tap-thirst-for-mexican-liquor?fbclid=IwAR1NfT-QuclhyOnceHOkG48T1hUH5Qmp1ulsjnqjhuF7JRgA4dduN5uExiE
September 25: Las Almas Rotas: A mezcalería I helped along the way, is now synonymous with mezcal in Dallas: https://dallas.eater.com/2019/9/25/20882817/las-almas-rotas-mezcal-2018-bar-of-the-year-eater-awards?fbclid=IwAR2qI2edgke6ZTinAN8iEoNYwKGJJMA80_HRpEyJ6rwxRtbIQCvc5-aiZ1A
September 19: How mezcal is impacting the spirits category, at least for bartenders: https://bartenderspiritsawards.com/en/blog/insights-1/tequila-and-mezcal-calling-the-shots-117.htm?fbclid=IwAR0n7QP007XyH8hf4Vs3dpRgV4oPVTnmVWtc3_CbVDPcwNe5PdHmE9K2X9Q
September 12: A Wine Enthusiast outlines some mezcales to watch for. What do we know about the brand owners? https://www.winemag.com/2019/09/10/mezcal-mexicos-misunderstood-spirit/?fbclid=IwAR1ImiprReYrCvJ3Kl2uvQ_RhH_d-7hf8OjzY-AuLx26PaqSxT4hroIT8u4
September 7: The commoditization of mezcal: but should the words Del Maguey and Dos Hombres even be in the same article? http://artisanspiritmag.com/should-we-mourn-the-commoditization-of-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR0aGQMQJb7PpDBYMQv_ZTnl8HhmsPINOs-ThEtqN_tcsfDgNdg5L4zTA5o
September 4: While women are the unsung heroes in the modern mezcal trade, here's a brand both owned and distilled by the fairer sex: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/02/style/mezcal-by-women-and-for-womens-wallets.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
August 4: When the big players get into the mezcal business ... https://fortune.com/2019/08/04/mezcal-industry-cocktails/?fbclid=IwAR2UF14V0gMLjdQFkenu3g8rtx3cWto3SXefZ2gLbduEiw8Id9Am2IPDh3A
August 1: This article appeared in a magazine in support of last month's London Mezcal Week: https://ezinearticles.com/?Mezcal-From-Oaxaca:-If-Its-Traditionally-Made,-No-Two-Batches-Can-Be-Equal&id=10154838
July 25: Dos Hombres mezcal and destilados de agave: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/07/25/dos-hombres-mezcal/
July 20: How the dramatic increase in the production of mezcal, as a consequence of worldwide recognition, is reducing local poverty: https://fortune.com/2019/07/20/craft-mezcal-national-tequila-day/?fbclid=IwAR1CZKI4Rpt2HY7mo4EfdskMW6zYXEcOQGmXUh5miYfTxQ3rYoC4QpJnpQs
June 19: We in the mezcal business out to the future of our industry to do the policing, against the scoundrels out there: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/06/01/mezcal-industry-carpetbaggers-and-scoundrels/
June 14: The use of beasts of burden in Oaxaca's mezcal industry: https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2019/06/14/protection-equines-working-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR0WH1saKm2tygJJOgnZSEjB9x7xW5-UXQoUO05CTTOeyXlXUlWRYXc4rz0
June 2: A good friend of ours since the mid 90s is featured in this mezcal article. Douglas French of Scorpion (and Ron Cooper of Del Maguey) were the first to popularize quality mezcal outside of Mexico: https://www.tastethedram.com/single-post/2017/07/04/the-rebirth-a-douglas-french-story-with-a-happy-mezcal-ending/?fbclid=IwAR2nmAGnz-pGni16IjyfAKCOLY5nN67dxbXTj4hUumf1gH7YcmB1eHB4K3s
May 28: In a decade or so, will we be able to find quality traditionally distilled mezcal and other agave distillates, if big multi-nationals keep buying up the brands we currently know and love? Check out this short documentary I worked on, for differing points of view, made for CGTV (Chinese Global Television Network .... no worries since it's in English): https://america.cgtn.com/2019/05/19/mezcal-a-sought-after-spirit-that-originates-in-mexico?fbclid=IwAR3sHUwE1bpCZoTHo7BwGbmGudXYbi3IxjDadWZ0YZhRAUg8HburB1TSVwk
May 24: This charitable foundation is using agave cultivation to improve the education of Oaxacan youth: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1480765285508592/permalink/2327585094159936/
May 22: One person's experience in Oaxaca city wading through a couple of mezcalerías: https://punchdrink.com/articles/where-to-drink-mezcal-oaxaca-city-mexico-in-situ-mezcaloteca-cuish/?fbclid=IwAR0lDouu_udqqiOiJGdsV6L9-Gt7TpFdO4Wrei-fANQabHIrdmHjTHuSNAg
May 10: Some thoughts on how to drink mezcal: https://vinepair.com/articles/how-drink-mezcal-according-oaxacan-bartender/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pagepost&fbclid=IwAR1v4aI_iYLMbg-8XkdD7JFlueLmbf3ht17JM_mN4VlYCeJweB-HFv11njU
April 30: While not made with agave, the desert spoon cactus used to make sotol in Northern Mexico is relevant, and so this recent article in the L.A. Times gets recognized: https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-chihuahua-mexico-sotol-mezcal-spirits-20190425-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1AfDZDidZletghXx0CD3pfDHBPXTX3VLztwf26dQm3G2dPMqLrdZotw-w
April 10: Max Garrone writes about mezcal from San Luís Potosí: https://www.liquor.com/articles/san-luis-potosi-mezcal/#gs.4ks7ih
March 6: The mezcal boom hits Austin TX: https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2019-03-01/dive-deeper-into-the-world-of-mezcal-in-austin/?fbclid=IwAR0sQieDPmoH6sXbj69LtIR0luBKlEU0pq9zb7ISzhLh-gQuzjLDb7jDvvg
February 26, 2019: Treatise on the state of Kosher mezcal from Oaxaca: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/02/26/kosher-mezcal/
February 7, 2019: Is it possible to keep the sale of quality mezcal brands to large corporations from affecting quality in a bad way? https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/01/mezcal-piggybacking-off-the-success-of-tequila/?fbclid=IwAR1ASbXTqCPgGGQO841d4VYHQzo1m3xKoMd6CH5JvAgDAKrEh68eU-sTnz8
February 6, 2019: I say keep pastrami in the Jewish delicatessens, but some in the Oaxacan mezcal business think otherwise:
https://www.guidelive.com/bars-and-cocktails/2019/02/04/dallas-bar-teams-mezcal-producer-make-spirit-using-smoked-texas-brisket?fbclid=IwAR3DMIUyF-hvK01vBkPi-CExMXqLHTyontAqwkcQk0KVp7ICfazq0hb_agU
January 31/19: I am pleased to have been associated with some brands of Oaxacan mezcal, and embarrassed about others: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/branding-mezcal-for-export-from-oaxaca-mexico-the-starkman-factor/
January 8/19: When buying mezcal from Oaxaca, beware of online and labeling misrepresentation and confusion: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/01/06/adulteration-and-bastardization-of-traditional-mezcal-in-Oaxaca/
December 17/18: Can weed wack the heck out of mezcal in Oaxaca and elsewhere in Mexico? Legalization nationally is on the way, so let's watch what happens. Canada will still get its share of pot pilgrims from the US, but Mexico has several advantages.
https://themazatlanpost.com/2018/12/15/mexico-will-have-the-worlds-biggest-legal-pot-market-soon/?fbclid=IwAR1KZO2Q8jruWTc1FqTxFjY0u3k7lYu5zBG0eIOKmSfy-IdRgKb-YAZ7Gok
December 8/18: Sotol, Tequila, Mezcal, Aguardiente de Agave and all the rest giving way to other Mexican spirits in the US marketplace? https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystoller/2018/12/06/move-over-mezcal-tequila-make-room-for-new-mexican-spirits-crossing-the-border/?fbclid=IwAR03sJCM3Rl0o5YxznEti1AJuuPcCJYOlcmuFLYHyoVmlyB-YRmPWR98630#77af7198769e
November 2/18: The best mezcals available in the US? I disagree with some, but then again I have access here in Oaxaca to the creme de la creme: https://www.liquor.com/slideshows/best-mezcal-2018/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11.2%20The%20Best%20Mezcals%20-%20Unpaid&utm_content=Final&utm_term=Liquor:%20Total%20%28Consumer%29
October 2/18: Mezcal in Oaxaca and the city's mezcalerías, featured in the author's bar-hopping adventure: https://punchdrink.com/articles/where-to-drink-mezcal-oaxaca-city-mexico-in-situ-mezcaloteca-cuish/
September 26/18: The only way I would buy one of these mezcal field blends (and I hate that someone came up with this term rather than just calling them mezclas like the palenqueros do), is if I were first able to taste it. Otherwise, you just don't know: http://imbibemagazine.com/mezcal-field-blends/
September 23/18: This glossary of mezcal (agave and tequila) terminology is a work in progress, but nevertheless a valuable tool for those just starting to learn about the fascinating agave based spirit: www.rochestercocktailrevival.com/resources.html
September 22/18: Mezcal cocktail recipe boasted by the star of a TV series: https://www.usmagazine.com/food/news/alysia-reiners-4-ingredient-mezcal-cocktail-watch/amp/
September 18/18: The mezcal boom is expected to see a continued dramatic increase in production well into the next decade:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/number-of-mezcal-producers-has-nearly-tripled/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Today&utm_campaign=6632635d01-MNT+sept+8%2F18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-6632635d01-349033521
September 11/18: The New York Times once again features Oaxacan mezcal:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/travel/oaxacas-potent-secret-mezcal-is-born-of-time-tradition-and-a-slow-growing-plant.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront
July 2/18: A lengthy and detailed article about permaculture and mezcal, using a case study of a co-op at San Baltazar Chichicapam to tie them together: http://ezinearticles.com/?Permaculture-and-Mezcal-in-Oaxaca,-Mexico&id=9968771
May 18/18: Responsible Tourism as it relates to the agave/mezcal industry in southern Mexico: http://ezinearticles.com/?Ethical-Mezcal-Tourism-in-Oaxaca,-Mexico:-Towards-an-Understanding&id=9943720
May 12/18: For a price you can learn what it's like to be an aging agave spirit: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/fancy-tequila-how-about-a-few-nights-in-a-tequila-barrel/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Daily&utm_campaign=986edbb6ed-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-986edbb6ed-349033521
April 26/18: Not really about mezcal, but closely related since the article is about Paranubes rum, produced in Oaxaca, and as the article notes, there is a strong mezcal connection: : https://punchdrink.com/articles/hunting-paranubes-rum-oaxaca-mexico/
April 21/18: Forbes on Mezcal for the American market: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2018/04/19/best-mezcals-to-try-this-year-2018/#54e84a59463f
April 9/18: It was only a matter of time until Americans began making agave distillates in their own country, and so here we have it, Mezcalifornia, intending to rival mezcal .... ya right: https://punchdrink.com/articles/welcome-mezcalifornia-tequila-agave-production-california-usa/
March 14 / 18: Stalls in Oaxaca's renowned Benito Juárez market recently had bottles of mezcal infused with spiders and snakes siezed: http://www.nvinoticias.com/nota/87500/confisca-profepa-mezcal-de-oaxaca-con-reptiles-y-aracnidos-entre-ellas-boas
March / 18: How to be a responsible purchaser of Oaxacan mezcal by being vigilant about the brands you buy and the industry people, all to keep the business clean: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2018/03/08/responsible-mezcals/
March 3 / 18: So many reasons to be concerned about the content of this article regarding a new mezcal brand: https://www.just-drinks.com/news/stoli-group-readies-mezcal-category-entry-just-drinks-exclusive_id125268.aspx
February 24/18; About the Rising Price of Agave and Mezcal: .http://www.tequilainterchangeproject.org/2018/02/22/drinking-for-a-greater-agave-distillates-industry
December 14: Will mezcal go the way of tequila viz. the use of exclusively agave clones? I think not, and explain the reasons on our educational tours: Blue Agave’s Genetic Decline Threatens Tequila Production
October 2024: In the wake of October 7, these Israelis are now producing an agave distillate: Kibbutz that fought off Oct. 7 terror endeavors to develop Israeli version of tequila | The Times of Israel
October 2024: The best places in the US to drink mezcal: The 10 Best Mezcal Bars and Mezcalerías in the U.S. | PUNCH (punchdrink.com)
June 2024: The mezcal boom and its importance for the economy of Oaxaca: Why is Mezcal so important to the future of Oaxaca? - MexConnect
June 2024: The rise of agave distillates in India: Is Agave The New Gin? Exploring The Rise Of India’s Next Big Drinking Trend | Times Now (timesnownews.com)
June 2/23: The importance of agave spirits: Having A Moment: Please Drink More Mezcal. Like, Right Now. | Newcity Resto
April 23/23: The best mezcals for making margaritas, according to some supposedly in the know: The Best Mezcal Brands for Margaritas, According to Bartenders | PUNCH (punchdrink.com)
April 22/23: A new mezcal bar in San Miguel de Allende: ANOTHER New Mezcal Bar in San Miguel de Allende? (substack.com)
April 10/23: California's agave distillate industry is taking off: California’s take on tequila, mezcal coming to distilleries | The Sacramento Bee (sacbee.com)
January 10/23: Opportunities for finding palenques between Oaxaca and the coast: Finding Mezcal Along One of Mexico's Most Notorious Roads - InsideHook
January 18/23: Read the results of a recent mezcal blind tasting: Takeaway From a Mezcal Blind Tasting - Tequila Aficionado Magazine
September 23/22: Here's a very recent article about the boom in sotol: What is sotol and why is it all the rage now? (mysanantonio.com)
September 15/22: Here's my own article about the business of mezcal, in particular addressing the problems with being critical of celebrity incursion into the industry, and multinationals' takeover of some of our favourite brands: The Business of Agave Distillates: Does Multinational Takeover and Cel (mezcalforlife.com)
July 30/22: This article outlines some of the problems we face in the mezcal industry: Mezcal Dogmatism & Misinformation: The Bane of the Industry - Tequila Aficionado Magazine
July 24/22: Here's the most recent piece about the mezcal explosion in England: Is Mezcal the new gin? What it is and where to drink the hottest spirit of the moment | Metro News
July 19/22: Methanol poisoning raises its ugly head once again, but seemingly not related to mezcal and likely not related to other agave distillates in Oaxaca or elsewhere in Mexico: Methanol in blood of teens who died in South African tavern (msn.com)
July 12/22: Agave and Its Distillates outside of Mexico: Just Don’t Call it Tequila: The Global Agave Boom Has Arrived | Wine Enthusiast Magazine (winemag.com)
June 25/22: How to develop a recipe for mezcal de pechuga: The Anatomy of Mezcal de Pechuga Recipe Development - Tequila Aficionado Magazine
June 12/22: Mezcal helps tequila in lifting American agave distillate sales above that of whiskey: Mezcal and Tequila Pass Whiskey as US's Second-Most Purchased Spirit - Bloomberg
May 20/22: Another piece about the challenge to maintain longstanding traditions of making mezcal in rural Oaxaca, and the desire for a cheap fix: Slow, Reflective, Quiet — Meditations on Mezcal in San Baltazar Guelavila — Good Beer Hunting
May 13/22: Capitalism and Mezcal: Here's an interesting piece by a client, now friend with his own UK brand, Sin Gusano. I have my own thoughts, but for now, have a look at this: Capitalism, celebrity, and the death of Mezcal | by Jon Darby | May, 2022 | Medium
April 30/22: The best mezcals in the US today? Here's what some industry professionals have recently opined: Best Mezcal Brands Available in the US - Thrillist
April 30/22: While the industry professional can opine as much as they want, there is an additional consideration for all of us prior to committing to buying an agave distillate, mezcal or otherwise: How to Choose a Brand of Mezcal to Buy - Tequila Aficionado
March 27/22: The Commission Conundrum for the mezcal tour guide or teacher, this being one of a number of articles designed to assist those in or wanting to get into the business: Successful Tour Guide Series: The Commission Conundrum - Tequila Aficionado
March 21/22: The folks at tequilaaficionado.com have been kind enough to publish my articles designed to help aspiring mezcal guides and others interested in teaching about Mexican distillates, so here is the first in a series of articles with that theme in mind: How to Be a Successful Distillery Tour Guide - Tequila Aficionado
March 21/22: And here is the second article in the series, dealing with whether or not there is a conflict between the mezcal tour facilitator, the client, and the distiller, and assuming there is, how to avoid the appearance of conflict: Successful Tour Guide Series: Conflict of Interest - Tequila Aficionado
March 19: Food & Wine recently published what it states are the best mezcals according to industry professionals. While I rarely drink export brands, I agree with some, while others no way. Should not any listing include reputation of brand owners and palenqueros in the broader agave distillate community? What perks are the pros given to rate as high, or what are the prersonal relationships at play? Premium Mezcal Recommendations from Top Beverage Professionals | Food & Wine (foodandwine.com)
January 25/22: The Filipino connection in the history of distilling mezcal: https://www.sapiens.org/column/entanglements/tequila-origins-tuba/
January 6/22: Thumbs up to our friend Lou Bank for being honored by Imbibe Magazine for his untiring work with agave distillate promotion and dedication to charitable causes: https://imbibemagazine.com/imbibe-75-person-to-watch-lou-bank/
November 23/21: The boom is interest in mezcal assists more than its palenqueros and tourism in Oaxaca in general: https://www.courthousenews.com/mezcals-day-in-the-sun-is-about-more-than-just-mezcal/
September 16/21: What is traditional mezcal? https://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/10/15/traditional-mezcal-the-myth-and-its-dissemination/
September 13/21: Mezcal: shipping, at the airport, and at customs: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/09/13/bringing-mezcal-from-oaxaca-home/
September 5/21: Article about two unique palenqueros in the state of Oaxaca who innovate, thinking out of the box: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/two-oaxacan-mezcal-distillers-who-think-outside-the-box/
August 20/21: Here's my book review about a recently published publication centering upon the business of mezcal, including the history of the boom, challenges and the future. It is an easy read even for those with limited Spanish comprehension ... but the review is in English: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/08/20/el-abc-del-negocio-del-mezcal/
May 22/21: Maestra Palenquera Lidia Hernández, her story, her family tragedy, and her rising to the occasion in the still male dominated world of mezcal in Oaxaca: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/mezcal-maker-fights-prejudices-to-continue-fathers-distillery/?fbclid=IwAR3fFSzo08m5__8Ra22UP20A2x0F1fTYm6fYpdVHGg-Gapxu9T-yIBAFEHI
May 30/21: Sombra & Bozal included in liquor.com's lineup of nine new mezcals to try, but I wonder how they came up with those (i.e. payola, publisher friends with brand owners, etc.; there are other new brands I suggest are better, but don't have th financial backing and shlepp of the big guns): https://www.liquor.com/new-mezcals-5086443?utm_campaign=liquor_consumer&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cn_nl&utm_content=23994467&utm_term=
May21/21: Combatting cultural appropriation allegations in the agave distillate business: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/05/20/striking-a-balance-mezcal-brand-owners-can-avoid-exploitation-allegations/
May 7/21: Are they really making their tequila the old-fashioned traditional way, a la artesanal mezcal today? https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/distillerys-tequila-methods-traditional-yet-also-innovative-sustainable/
April 18/21: A force to be reckoned with in the world of Oaxacan mezcal; she's young, bright, bilingual, and not constrained by family heritage. Santa Catarina Minas' Rosario Ángeles: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/04/18/oaxacan-palenquera-rosario-angeles/
April 15/21: Why do palenqueros mix different species and sub-species together, and what are they called: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/mezcal-ensambles-mezclas-blends-the-wherefore-the-why/
April 11/21: Is the mezcal you drink considered a "CRAFT SPIRIT?" Here are some thoughts: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2021/04/10/is-your-mezcal-a-craft-spirit/?fbclid=IwAR0WGuHYsf48HUT70pnh-Dm8BCEvAmU-UMa4wh3g1f96TIEBv3frdxRmt8o
March 16/21: Palenques in Oaxaca: Wonderful reading about a friend's new distillery producing ancestral mezcal near Oaxaca. Felicidades Rosario Ángeles and Mezcal Rambhá: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/oaxaca-palenques-mezcal-distilleries/
March 15/21: Methanol & Mezcal: https://www.aventurerosmezcal.mx/uncategorized/methanol-can-cause-blindness-is-it-present-in-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR3KcMCxp1YkRz57QwylwtRZ3ytu2Z6X6p8dMU6E2cR7mz94qcmjeuGKIYY
March 9/21: Life beyond mezcal and tequila in the world of agave distillates: https://www.winemag.com/2021/03/04/tequila-mezcal-best-agave-spirits/?fbclid=IwAR3H5uRblWKO9YIR7YLH0CbsJjJgHVjJ_zzeKRB6Xr6mBWPiPna_iOpTXQ0
January 24/21: Listen up, you Australian mezcal aficionados: https://www.theland.com.au/story/7089693/narrabri-team-puts-an-australian-spin-on-a-mexican-classic/?fbclid=IwAR03BA2k1kiZz2so_ODFNLL6-3P61izXXGcKzfdgPMSPTi665dX3QDjk3QE
January 1/21: Informative read provoking much discussion, about agave production for mezcal (and tequila) as sustainable for Mexico: https://www.salon.com/2021/01/01/the-sustainability-challenges-that-threaten-the-agave-industry_partner/?fbclid=IwAR0hazpLp-UNNEc4tX4LuRz7ou0QD6GT29_Fr7IdSo9d-2LAYXECpsWUNmU
December 16: 13 easy-to-make mezcal cocktails enumerated in forbes.com: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2020/12/14/easy-cocktail-recipes-mezcal-cocktails-2020/?sh=577946113094
December 15: Agave Road Trip comments about mezcal for novices in this introductory article in Better Homes & Gardens: https://www.bhg.com/recipes/trends/what-is-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR2HDo1KSglwd224hMrj_ntG6a9oOX09HkHJM24Op1RzNhLbPRO97_fpm9o
September 27, 2020: Some categories of alcohol did well throughout this year. Mezcal was not one of them in terms of sales: https://vinepair.com/data-analysis/summer-2020-alcohol-trends-data-insight/
September 4, 2020: Did we really need to read an article in Forbes to convince us that mezcal is the healthiest of all spirits? https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaakim/2020/09/03/the-healthiest-alcohol/?fbclid=IwAR1unH7HKnJOp1ZTavU9_tXQr_P2VduJ5UbYblZHd4f4rVkiNbP9KG5Y2Lo#113c8c671475
August 26, 2020: Mezcal Doña Vega makes Forbes. Distilled by good friends, Juan Hernández and family: https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabriellepharms/2020/08/26/doa-vega-how-founder-sonya-vega-auvray-went-from-pr-to-mezcal/#18a2ce538d7f
August 24, 2020: A very kind shout-out about the work we do to support the education of bright young indigenous women and their communities through our mezcal tours: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2020/08/16/mezcal-tour-supports-advancement-of-indigenous-women/
July 28, 2020: Friends and mezcal brand owners Dylan Sloan (Mezcal VAGO) and Read Spear (Mezcal Cuentacuentos) are doing their part to help Oaxaca during these rough economic times: https://www.5280.com/2020/07/colorado-mezcal-brands-work-with-oaxacan-producers-to-fight-covid-19/
July 11, 2020: The anticipated growth of mezcal in domestic and international markets over the next several years: https://coleofduty.com/news/2020/07/10/mezcal-market-share-worldwide-industry-growth-size-statistics-opportunities-forecasts-up-to-2026/
July 8, 2020: You may know something about shaking a bottle of mezcal to learn something about its quality. Actually, it's all about the size and how long the bubbles or perlas last, to determine the alcohol by volume, as explained here in terms of the science: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200707160149.htm?fbclid=IwAR3_MIOgdzEKQNk9n2BlrqYI3weL5x6TAj6v9RuXU0w5AftwEtP26ApO8BA
July 7, 2020: Can the small mezcal producers survive the COVID-19 crisis: https://daily.sevenfifty.com/small-tequila-and-mezcal-producers-struggle-to-survive/?fbclid=IwAR34IdAWdNPwdvGl5eIT5sjKxt7__f_zyyNldpP24jTE9a_YV03vcUneNYs
July 4, 2020: Market for mezcal in Canada growing, with the help of a couple of Canuck friends, Eric Lorenz who became a master mezcalier with me, and Dani Tatarin who I taught about the spirit beginning several years ago: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/article-agave-all-day-move-over-rose-tequila-is-the-drink-of-the-summer/?fbclid=IwAR0koFnLFQSarJIaFUEnVQHb1dn0Hk5T2wYE67X1b382vEwnKyHsQUWrz7U
July 3, 2020: A little piece Alvin wrote about considerations prior to embarking on a project making your own "mezcal:" https://ezinearticles.com/?Impediments-to-Making-Mexican-Mezcal-With-Your-Own-Agave&id=10316920
June 13, 2020: Make sure you know and trust your vendor or mezcal distiller before buying agave distillates on the street or elsewhere: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/adulterated-liquor-has-killed-189-people-since-may-1/
April 25, 2020: Visiting Oaxaca after COVID-19 is also for families of mezcal aficionados: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2020/04/25/oaxacan-mezcal-aficionados-embrace-a-visit-after-covid-19/
April 17, 2020: A relatively new face on the Oaxaca mezcal scene opines about his favorite agave distillates: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2020/04/17/best-mezcals-to-try-now-2020/?fbclid=IwAR1IJp7SxuuaiB9beZG1x4FEJJcWFr5qLWtuwmA5IEirSHuPRt6E3hxlJQA#297385ef3a3a
April 14, 2020: Just think of it, agave not for mezcal, but especially now, for making hand sanitizer, or better yet a biofuel: https://www.foodandwine.com/news/agave-hand-sanitizer-biofuel?fbclid=IwAR3wE89oV9-n4uLm10JfGOPCoF1-0AuczcN9u2aZgwBfe4c9Qqyo7k3_LoU
April 2, 2020: Women actually do make mezcal, and are an important and indispensable part of the process from baking agave through to the final distillation and determining ABV: https://ezinearticles.com/?Agave-Distillates-and-the-Women-Who-Make-Them:-Oaxacan-Mezcal-and-the-Female-of-the-Specie&id=10273414
March 17, 2020: Women and Mezcal: Another wealthy entrepreneur enters the market in Canada: https://bartenderatlas.com/features/community/creating-a-mezcal-brand-a-chat-with-carmen-of-mezcal-agua-santa/
March 15, 2020: Here's a rather comprehensive article about mezcal, though I don't agree with all of the suggestions. Nevertheless, worth a read: https://www.maxim.com/food-drink/mezcal-master-class-2020-3?fbclid=IwAR3WYI4zTmnaDEPDsJX9hCcOqWUIu1eNc7UlJKDTP73tvTFM9-5TstvgMVc
January 31, 2020: A recent article about pechuga mezcal: https://punchdrink.com/articles/problem-with-pechuga-mezcal/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=briefing&utm_campaign=sfc_drinkingwithesther
December 30: Mezcal cocktail recipes to start the new year: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/mezcal-is-complex-and-surprising/
December 21: Here's an opinion about the best mezcal bars in Mexico City, worth a read if you're planning a visit to the nation's capital, and certain if also coming to Oaxaca for mezcal: https://bigseventravel.com/2019/12/best-mezcal-bars-in-mexico-city/?fbclid=IwAR2xt5edDiltzQnsvXDbm8-CDDTqYSjMBaNyr0ggkSoZUsP25viqprL-dvk
December 14: FT just released this short film (a few minutes) about the Oaxaca mezcal boom: https://www.ft.com/video/72f87048-7c06-48cd-afc3-4786bf016b6b?fbclid=IwAR2Dq-snPMBAXqlPvjGSNLeZTyv2Wjg2-7cWDfz2hETQ52dr6PT5cHotGns
December 10: Pulque tour provides both tourists and Oaxacans with an extraordinary experience: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/11/28/harvesting-aguamiel-in-oaxaca/
November 18: A more or less accurate 60 second video which distinguishes mezcal from tequila: https://www.liquor.com/video/mezcal-in-60/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11.18%20Best%20Fancy%20Scotches-UNPAID&utm_content=Final&utm_term=Liquor:%20Total%20%28Consumer%29#gs.hhbn7x
November 14: Some inconsistencies in the story line of those experts who will not serve aged mezcal in Oaxaca, or elsewhere around the globe: https://ezinearticles.com/?Snobbism-and-Barrel-Aged-Mezcal:-How-the-Experts-Get-It-Wrong-in-Oaxaca-and-Globally&id=10206208
November 5: How the mezcal boom in Oaxaca has altered US / Mexico migratory patters: https://www.oaxaca-mezcal.com/alvins-blog/category/mezcal-migration-in-oaxaca
November 3: Please drink responsibly, and consider taking a break from time to time. I know of one palenquero who died of alcoholism related illnesses a few years ago, at 39 years of age, leaving behind his wife and five children. I am not promoting this program, but it does serve as a good reminder, for me and for everyone else who enjoys spirits in particular: https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/takethechallenge?fbclid=IwAR0u0uCnPllVBOcHmA3EYE9wRu3M8xngM7iQ3SgOcuvy5vv98LW8FkPSF1Y
October 13: Why not entirely related to mezcal, I would suggest that it has application for those who pay attention to lists of the best mezcals in the US (and Canadian) market, for different reasons: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-bar-and-restaurant-lists-are-useless-written-by-bros-they-honour/?cmpid=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&fbclid=IwAR179yCIg1AAesoch2Bw8TWqqe737hBWANga7Fo-t3DrnYFabSDW3vwMkYI
October 10: Another larger mezcal brand sells out to a multinational as Montelobos goes the way of Pierde Almas and the others: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-09/campari-buys-montelobos-mezcal-to-tap-thirst-for-mexican-liquor?fbclid=IwAR1NfT-QuclhyOnceHOkG48T1hUH5Qmp1ulsjnqjhuF7JRgA4dduN5uExiE
September 25: Las Almas Rotas: A mezcalería I helped along the way, is now synonymous with mezcal in Dallas: https://dallas.eater.com/2019/9/25/20882817/las-almas-rotas-mezcal-2018-bar-of-the-year-eater-awards?fbclid=IwAR2qI2edgke6ZTinAN8iEoNYwKGJJMA80_HRpEyJ6rwxRtbIQCvc5-aiZ1A
September 19: How mezcal is impacting the spirits category, at least for bartenders: https://bartenderspiritsawards.com/en/blog/insights-1/tequila-and-mezcal-calling-the-shots-117.htm?fbclid=IwAR0n7QP007XyH8hf4Vs3dpRgV4oPVTnmVWtc3_CbVDPcwNe5PdHmE9K2X9Q
September 12: A Wine Enthusiast outlines some mezcales to watch for. What do we know about the brand owners? https://www.winemag.com/2019/09/10/mezcal-mexicos-misunderstood-spirit/?fbclid=IwAR1ImiprReYrCvJ3Kl2uvQ_RhH_d-7hf8OjzY-AuLx26PaqSxT4hroIT8u4
September 7: The commoditization of mezcal: but should the words Del Maguey and Dos Hombres even be in the same article? http://artisanspiritmag.com/should-we-mourn-the-commoditization-of-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR0aGQMQJb7PpDBYMQv_ZTnl8HhmsPINOs-ThEtqN_tcsfDgNdg5L4zTA5o
September 4: While women are the unsung heroes in the modern mezcal trade, here's a brand both owned and distilled by the fairer sex: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/02/style/mezcal-by-women-and-for-womens-wallets.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
August 4: When the big players get into the mezcal business ... https://fortune.com/2019/08/04/mezcal-industry-cocktails/?fbclid=IwAR2UF14V0gMLjdQFkenu3g8rtx3cWto3SXefZ2gLbduEiw8Id9Am2IPDh3A
August 1: This article appeared in a magazine in support of last month's London Mezcal Week: https://ezinearticles.com/?Mezcal-From-Oaxaca:-If-Its-Traditionally-Made,-No-Two-Batches-Can-Be-Equal&id=10154838
July 25: Dos Hombres mezcal and destilados de agave: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/07/25/dos-hombres-mezcal/
July 20: How the dramatic increase in the production of mezcal, as a consequence of worldwide recognition, is reducing local poverty: https://fortune.com/2019/07/20/craft-mezcal-national-tequila-day/?fbclid=IwAR1CZKI4Rpt2HY7mo4EfdskMW6zYXEcOQGmXUh5miYfTxQ3rYoC4QpJnpQs
June 19: We in the mezcal business out to the future of our industry to do the policing, against the scoundrels out there: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/06/01/mezcal-industry-carpetbaggers-and-scoundrels/
June 14: The use of beasts of burden in Oaxaca's mezcal industry: https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2019/06/14/protection-equines-working-mezcal/?fbclid=IwAR0WH1saKm2tygJJOgnZSEjB9x7xW5-UXQoUO05CTTOeyXlXUlWRYXc4rz0
June 2: A good friend of ours since the mid 90s is featured in this mezcal article. Douglas French of Scorpion (and Ron Cooper of Del Maguey) were the first to popularize quality mezcal outside of Mexico: https://www.tastethedram.com/single-post/2017/07/04/the-rebirth-a-douglas-french-story-with-a-happy-mezcal-ending/?fbclid=IwAR2nmAGnz-pGni16IjyfAKCOLY5nN67dxbXTj4hUumf1gH7YcmB1eHB4K3s
May 28: In a decade or so, will we be able to find quality traditionally distilled mezcal and other agave distillates, if big multi-nationals keep buying up the brands we currently know and love? Check out this short documentary I worked on, for differing points of view, made for CGTV (Chinese Global Television Network .... no worries since it's in English): https://america.cgtn.com/2019/05/19/mezcal-a-sought-after-spirit-that-originates-in-mexico?fbclid=IwAR3sHUwE1bpCZoTHo7BwGbmGudXYbi3IxjDadWZ0YZhRAUg8HburB1TSVwk
May 24: This charitable foundation is using agave cultivation to improve the education of Oaxacan youth: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1480765285508592/permalink/2327585094159936/
May 22: One person's experience in Oaxaca city wading through a couple of mezcalerías: https://punchdrink.com/articles/where-to-drink-mezcal-oaxaca-city-mexico-in-situ-mezcaloteca-cuish/?fbclid=IwAR0lDouu_udqqiOiJGdsV6L9-Gt7TpFdO4Wrei-fANQabHIrdmHjTHuSNAg
May 10: Some thoughts on how to drink mezcal: https://vinepair.com/articles/how-drink-mezcal-according-oaxacan-bartender/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=pagepost&fbclid=IwAR1v4aI_iYLMbg-8XkdD7JFlueLmbf3ht17JM_mN4VlYCeJweB-HFv11njU
April 30: While not made with agave, the desert spoon cactus used to make sotol in Northern Mexico is relevant, and so this recent article in the L.A. Times gets recognized: https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-chihuahua-mexico-sotol-mezcal-spirits-20190425-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1AfDZDidZletghXx0CD3pfDHBPXTX3VLztwf26dQm3G2dPMqLrdZotw-w
April 10: Max Garrone writes about mezcal from San Luís Potosí: https://www.liquor.com/articles/san-luis-potosi-mezcal/#gs.4ks7ih
March 6: The mezcal boom hits Austin TX: https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2019-03-01/dive-deeper-into-the-world-of-mezcal-in-austin/?fbclid=IwAR0sQieDPmoH6sXbj69LtIR0luBKlEU0pq9zb7ISzhLh-gQuzjLDb7jDvvg
February 26, 2019: Treatise on the state of Kosher mezcal from Oaxaca: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/02/26/kosher-mezcal/
February 7, 2019: Is it possible to keep the sale of quality mezcal brands to large corporations from affecting quality in a bad way? https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/01/mezcal-piggybacking-off-the-success-of-tequila/?fbclid=IwAR1ASbXTqCPgGGQO841d4VYHQzo1m3xKoMd6CH5JvAgDAKrEh68eU-sTnz8
February 6, 2019: I say keep pastrami in the Jewish delicatessens, but some in the Oaxacan mezcal business think otherwise:
https://www.guidelive.com/bars-and-cocktails/2019/02/04/dallas-bar-teams-mezcal-producer-make-spirit-using-smoked-texas-brisket?fbclid=IwAR3DMIUyF-hvK01vBkPi-CExMXqLHTyontAqwkcQk0KVp7ICfazq0hb_agU
January 31/19: I am pleased to have been associated with some brands of Oaxacan mezcal, and embarrassed about others: https://www.mezcalreviews.com/branding-mezcal-for-export-from-oaxaca-mexico-the-starkman-factor/
January 8/19: When buying mezcal from Oaxaca, beware of online and labeling misrepresentation and confusion: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2019/01/06/adulteration-and-bastardization-of-traditional-mezcal-in-Oaxaca/
December 17/18: Can weed wack the heck out of mezcal in Oaxaca and elsewhere in Mexico? Legalization nationally is on the way, so let's watch what happens. Canada will still get its share of pot pilgrims from the US, but Mexico has several advantages.
https://themazatlanpost.com/2018/12/15/mexico-will-have-the-worlds-biggest-legal-pot-market-soon/?fbclid=IwAR1KZO2Q8jruWTc1FqTxFjY0u3k7lYu5zBG0eIOKmSfy-IdRgKb-YAZ7Gok
December 8/18: Sotol, Tequila, Mezcal, Aguardiente de Agave and all the rest giving way to other Mexican spirits in the US marketplace? https://www.forbes.com/sites/garystoller/2018/12/06/move-over-mezcal-tequila-make-room-for-new-mexican-spirits-crossing-the-border/?fbclid=IwAR03sJCM3Rl0o5YxznEti1AJuuPcCJYOlcmuFLYHyoVmlyB-YRmPWR98630#77af7198769e
November 2/18: The best mezcals available in the US? I disagree with some, but then again I have access here in Oaxaca to the creme de la creme: https://www.liquor.com/slideshows/best-mezcal-2018/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11.2%20The%20Best%20Mezcals%20-%20Unpaid&utm_content=Final&utm_term=Liquor:%20Total%20%28Consumer%29
October 2/18: Mezcal in Oaxaca and the city's mezcalerías, featured in the author's bar-hopping adventure: https://punchdrink.com/articles/where-to-drink-mezcal-oaxaca-city-mexico-in-situ-mezcaloteca-cuish/
September 26/18: The only way I would buy one of these mezcal field blends (and I hate that someone came up with this term rather than just calling them mezclas like the palenqueros do), is if I were first able to taste it. Otherwise, you just don't know: http://imbibemagazine.com/mezcal-field-blends/
September 23/18: This glossary of mezcal (agave and tequila) terminology is a work in progress, but nevertheless a valuable tool for those just starting to learn about the fascinating agave based spirit: www.rochestercocktailrevival.com/resources.html
September 22/18: Mezcal cocktail recipe boasted by the star of a TV series: https://www.usmagazine.com/food/news/alysia-reiners-4-ingredient-mezcal-cocktail-watch/amp/
September 18/18: The mezcal boom is expected to see a continued dramatic increase in production well into the next decade:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/number-of-mezcal-producers-has-nearly-tripled/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Today&utm_campaign=6632635d01-MNT+sept+8%2F18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-6632635d01-349033521
September 11/18: The New York Times once again features Oaxacan mezcal:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/travel/oaxacas-potent-secret-mezcal-is-born-of-time-tradition-and-a-slow-growing-plant.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftravel&action=click&contentCollection=travel®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=8&pgtype=sectionfront
July 2/18: A lengthy and detailed article about permaculture and mezcal, using a case study of a co-op at San Baltazar Chichicapam to tie them together: http://ezinearticles.com/?Permaculture-and-Mezcal-in-Oaxaca,-Mexico&id=9968771
May 18/18: Responsible Tourism as it relates to the agave/mezcal industry in southern Mexico: http://ezinearticles.com/?Ethical-Mezcal-Tourism-in-Oaxaca,-Mexico:-Towards-an-Understanding&id=9943720
May 12/18: For a price you can learn what it's like to be an aging agave spirit: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/fancy-tequila-how-about-a-few-nights-in-a-tequila-barrel/?utm_source=Mexico+News+Daily&utm_campaign=986edbb6ed-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f1536a3787-986edbb6ed-349033521
April 26/18: Not really about mezcal, but closely related since the article is about Paranubes rum, produced in Oaxaca, and as the article notes, there is a strong mezcal connection: : https://punchdrink.com/articles/hunting-paranubes-rum-oaxaca-mexico/
April 21/18: Forbes on Mezcal for the American market: https://www.forbes.com/sites/karlaalindahao/2018/04/19/best-mezcals-to-try-this-year-2018/#54e84a59463f
April 9/18: It was only a matter of time until Americans began making agave distillates in their own country, and so here we have it, Mezcalifornia, intending to rival mezcal .... ya right: https://punchdrink.com/articles/welcome-mezcalifornia-tequila-agave-production-california-usa/
March 14 / 18: Stalls in Oaxaca's renowned Benito Juárez market recently had bottles of mezcal infused with spiders and snakes siezed: http://www.nvinoticias.com/nota/87500/confisca-profepa-mezcal-de-oaxaca-con-reptiles-y-aracnidos-entre-ellas-boas
March / 18: How to be a responsible purchaser of Oaxacan mezcal by being vigilant about the brands you buy and the industry people, all to keep the business clean: http://tequilaaficionado.com/2018/03/08/responsible-mezcals/
March 3 / 18: So many reasons to be concerned about the content of this article regarding a new mezcal brand: https://www.just-drinks.com/news/stoli-group-readies-mezcal-category-entry-just-drinks-exclusive_id125268.aspx
February 24/18; About the Rising Price of Agave and Mezcal: .http://www.tequilainterchangeproject.org/2018/02/22/drinking-for-a-greater-agave-distillates-industry
