Tasting notes submitted to Chisholm Trail Craft Glasses for the prototype of Stolzle’s jarrito tumbler, a proposed vessel designed to exclusively appreciate agave spirits. *** JARRITO TUMBLER TASTING NOTES Mr. Romeo Hristov from Chisholm Trail Crafts, Incorporated, has asked me to test a prototype of the Jarrito tumbler for tequila/agave spirits produced by Stölzle … Read more
Skepticism and Terror In early June 2017, I was interviewed via email by VinePair’s conscientious staff writer, Nickolaus Hines, on whether I thought that mezcal could “…Grow its way to the Mainstream Without Losing its Roots.” Skepticism usually sets in whenever we’re approached for quotes by writers attempting to compose complex articles about the plight … Read more
[Transportation, room and board were provided to M.A. “Mike” Morales by Embajador Tequila in order to research this article. No monetary compensation was received and no guarantee of a favorable article was given by M.A. ‘Mike” Morales or Tequila Aficionado Media. This article was written by, and is the opinion of, M.A. “Mike” Morales.] Open … Read more
[Transportation, room and board were provided to M.A. “Mike” Morales by Embajador Tequila in order to research this article. No monetary compensation was received and no guarantee of a favorable article was given by M.A. ‘Mike” Morales or Tequila Aficionado Media. This article was written by, and is the opinion of, M.A. “Mike” Morales.] Let’s … Read more
In early August of 2016, I received an email from USA Today asking me to weigh in on their craft spirits-themed Readers’ Choice contests, and in our case (at press time), the soon-to-be-launched craft tequilas list. I’ll be honest, I dread these lists. What’s worse is, I dread being asked to participate in compiling them. Let … Read more
Some well-meaning follower posted on our Facebook page this answer to a press release referring to Espolón tequila… “PSA: “super premium” has no real meaning—it’s marketing happy talk.” While we’re inclined to believe that sneaky marketers have hijacked the word premium and turned it into a buzzword, in all actuality, it is a spirits pricing … Read more
I have many fond memories of my first meeting Sarah Bowen during the historic Ian Chadwick Blue Agave Forum tour of tequila distilleries in 2006. She was a young student then, relentlessly recording every interview with master distillers and jimadores on a digital voice recorder, in flawless Spanish. Who knew that ten years later she would … Read more
[This editorial (with my comments) is inspired by the following video on the dastardly NOM 199 currently in review in Mexico. Please, take a few moments to view this easy-to-follow video, then, feel free to share it among your friends, family, colleagues and cohorts. Afterwards, go here to sign the petition and unifying statement against … Read more
By now, many of you have seen or read the following story that first appeared in the Chinese press and was then regurgitated by the Mexican newspapers, followed by this video report concerning the alleged shutdown and supposed seizure of over a million liters of tequila at the Embajador distillery (NOM 1509) located in Atotonilco, Jalisco Mexico. … Read more
Why Go Kosher? That’s what we asked several Kosher tequila and mezcal brand owners and ambassadors. Some of their reasons may surprise you. Richard Sorenson, Founder of Dulce Vida Tequila, the only 100 proof organic tequila to date, comes from an organic foods background having developed the first USDA organic energy drink on the market to … Read more