Internet Articles About Mezcal Which Have Come Across My Desk
(yes, I still have a desktop computer on an actual desk)
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
