What’s at the End of Every Good Tequila?
In the agave spirits soaked Southern California market, no distributor works harder or smarter than owner Humberto Ibarra, importer and distributor at Glass Bottom Spirits.
Co-founded with his cousin, attorney Arturo Lomeli Ibarra in December of 2012, Glass Bottom Spirits was established with a single vision and purpose–
To import and distribute only the best premium tequila that the great state of Jalisco, Mexico had to offer.
Glass Bottom has since expanded its portfolio to include craft Mexican beers and wines whose quality they believe in.
As a licensed wholesaler, importer, and distributor of the brands they carry, it allows Glass Bottom to set competitive prices to retail stores, restaurants, clubs and bars throughout California.
We spent a warm autumn afternoon talking tequila with Humberto at his offices in Pico Rivera.
[Tweet “@GBDSpirits: At the end of good tequila.”]
[*FTC Disclosure: Brands appearing on the Tequila Aficionado Wild Wild West 2017 Tour were vetted as Brand of Promise(c) Nominees and paid a nominal fee to be included.]
From Nothing to Something
In this clip, Humberto shares with us his background, what brand building means to him, and how his mother-in-law came up with the company’s unique name.
Humberto divulges his tips for start up tequilas and mezcals contemplating entering the American market.
Ibarra admits that some brand owners have unrealistic expectations when coming into the United States. He feels it’s his job to steer them in the right direction.
Of vital importance to him–
That each brand he imports and distributes must budget for some kind of marketing in order to compete for mind share in the already over-crowded liquor store shelves and restaurant back bars.
The Magic of Mandala
Here, Humberto discusses what it takes to bring a small brand with a specialty bottle onto the burgeoning Extra Anejo segment.
Tequila Tasting with Humberto
This clip discusses the sexy Chisholm Trail Crafts jarrito tumbler for tequila tasting with the newly relaunched 4 Copas tequila.
What a Chore
We continue our tasting flights with Humberto Ibarra’s newest acquisition, La Tarea tequila.
With the agave crisis looming, the demand for smaller, craft brands that are supported by their own agave will be more in demand.
We also touch lightly on mezcal medley (ensemble), The Lost Explorer.
The Importance of Distribution
In an era of mega-mergers between competing distributors, the informed consumer will be seeking more quality craft agave spirits.
To that end, small-to-mid sized distributors will become even more important for these brands in the race to compete with the Big Dawgs.
Glass Bottom Spirits seems poised to maintain significant shelf space for its clients against all comers.
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