Emilio De Soto is not only the Maestro Tequilero of overproof tequila Dos Almas blanco and its stablemate, Dos Almas Cinnamon Liqueur, but he is also the founder of a sportswear company.
Following a severe surfing accident, Emilio was inspired by water polo competitors and swimmers while enduring his own grueling physical therapy. Eventually, De Soto became a competitive triathlete.
De Soto Sport Triathalon Company grew out of a need for versatile clothing for triathletes. And Dos Almas sprang out of a need for a tasty beverage among these extreme super competitors after races.
Farmer and The Seahorse
An avid outdoorsman, Emilio and his family frequently take camping trips. Aware that we were on our Wild Wild West Tour in our own “mobile command center” (camper), De Soto chose to meet with us at a scenic bar and restaurant called Farmer and the Seahorse.
A multi-cuisine restaurant owned by celebrity chef, Brian Malarkey, this new farm to table eatery is nestled in the lovely Torrey Pines neighborhood of La Jolla, California.
We were joined by certified Catador (tequila taster) and Director of Food and Beverage for Farmer and the Seahorse, Green Acre Campus Pointe and Green Acre Nautilus, Chris Simmons.
Inside a converted vintage Airstream trailer/meeting room, we taped an in-depth discussion of all things Dos Almas.
[Tweet “Emilio De Soto tells the story of @dosalmastequila in his own words.”]
In His Own Words
[*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.]
In this segment, we cover Emilio’s background, what drove him to concoct his earlier versions of Dos Almas, its high proof flavor profile, and even the types of ideal glassware used for tequila events at the restaurant.
A Matter of Endurance
Of Cuban decent, Emilio De Soto is a man of many passions.
He admitted that as a young man bussing tables at a restaurant, he was exposed to fine sipping tequilas long before it became fashionable. That passion has stayed with him all his life.
Despite some surprises on the retail side of the spirits industry, Emilio is a staunch believer in the long game. He knows full well that endurance and persistence pay off.
The Convergence of Two Worlds
In this portion of our interview, De Soto discusses where he sees himself and Dos Almas in five years; the intricate process that goes into Dos Almas Cinnamon Liqueur, and the explanation behind the name and artwork of Dos Almas.
As an added bonus, De Soto manages to creatively combine parts of his sportswear business with Dos Almas by designing a handy carrying sling made from limestone instead of the traditional neoprene.
A Close-Knit Agave Community
Echoing similar sentiments about the importance of disseminating education to an agave information-starved audience, Chris Simmons has recently branched out on his own.
Sipping Life offers the world of Tequila, Mezcal and other Mexican spirits through an exciting array of enrichment opportunities that include tastings, tours, education and consulting.
Tequila’s Ironman
With humbleness and graciousness, along with guidance and encouragement from Simmons and others in the close-knit agave community, Emilio De Soto and Dos Almas is destined to be Tequila’s Ironman in the often challenging spirits race to the top shelf.
[Tweet “@DosAlmasTequila is destined to be Tequila’s Ironman in the race to the top shelf.”]
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Mike Morales interviews Romeo Hristov of Chisolm Trail Crafts Glasses, makers of fine tequila glassware, on this episode of Tequila Aficionado’s Open Bar.
Chisholm Trail Crafts’ Glasses (CTC Glasses) is a small Texas company specializing in fine hand-crafted tequila and mezcal glasses. Our glassware offers an unrivaled blend of functionality, beauty, and the artistic legacy of Mexico, the birthplace of the agave spirits.
The signature line of CTC Glasses is engraved with the “Pepita” [Small Seed] technique. Much like the tequila, the “Pepita“ engraving is a unique Mexican craft that originated in the sixteenth century as an amalgam of European and Pre-Columbian skills and ingenuity. Every one of the featured “Pepita“ designs is a gleaming work of art, hand-cut by the world-renowned Mexican artist José Cruz Guillén.
In addition to hand-cut snifters we carry a range of the venerable Mexican “Jarritos” [Small Jars] for mezcal and tequila. These centuries-old drinking vessels unfold the flavors of the agave distillates as well as any customary snifter, while enhancing the sensorial experience with a touch of tradition and artisanal mastery.
Riedel glassware care for tequila aficionados, courtesy of Rick Thibault Levy and M.A. “Mike” Morales.
We’re all about using fine glassware to enjoy our tequilas to the fullest but washing Riedel glasses after a tasting can have you not-so-happily singing 99 Riedel glasses on the wall and counting down as the delicate buggers shatter when you’re trying to remove towel lint from the inside of the glass or work out a water spot. Rick Levy has the solution and Mike Morales now sleeps better at night knowing it! Use a chamois!
Riedel Ouverture Glass
Shaped for extracting full enjoyment when sipping tequila, the four glasses in this set have narrow bowls on long, slender, stylish stems. Part of the moderately priced Ouverture series offered by world-renowned Austrian glassmaker Riedel Crystal (founded in 1756), they’re lead-free. That means they’re not crystal like Riedel’s premium glasses but are machine blown of potash glass and are dishwasher-safe. Their thin rims are cut and polished to Riedel’s exacting standards, so tequila flows easily onto the tongue and flavor is enhanced. Each glass holds 6-3/4 ounces and stands 8-1/4 inches high
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
Mike Morales and Alex Perez discuss the history of the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass, how it came to be, and the commonly accepted method of nosing and tasting tequila with the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass.
About the Tequila Glass
This elegant slender glass has a lengthy stem and is designed to lift fine Tequila to the level it deserves. Devotees can now appreciate Tequila in it’s own glass and give it the respect of which it is worthy. Machine made of non leaded glass. Dishwasher Safe.
Shaped for maximizing full enjoyment when sipping tequila, the two glasses in this set have narrow bowls on long, slender, stylish stems. Part of the moderately priced Ouverture series offered by world-renowned glassmaker Riedel Crystal, they’re machine-blown, lead-free and dishwasher safe. Their thin rims are cut and polished to Riedel’s exacting standards, so tequila flows easily onto the palate and the flavors are enhanced. Each glass holds 6-3/4-ounce and stands 8-1/4-inch high.
Suggested retail price $24 for two glasses. Available on Amazon.com for approximately $20 for two.
[Tweet “Tasting Tequila with the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass”]
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
Mike Morales and Alexander Perez of Tequila Aficionado introduce us to a variety of Tequila Glassware styles and how they can be used to enjoy your tequilas and mezcals to the fullest.
[Tweet “Learn about #tequila & #mezcal glassware with Mike & Alex”]
For more information on Tequila Glassware and how to properly enjoy your tequila or mezcal to the fullest, watch our Blab with Martin Duffy of Glencairn Glass.
[Tweet “Tequila Aficionado Talks Glassware with Martin Duffy of Glencairn Glass “]
When we tried Embajador Tequila Anejo, a tequila we’ve been enjoying for years, in the Reidel Tequila Glass, we discovered amazing new nuances and aromas on the nose and the tasting experience was even better. We highly recommend you try the Glencairn Whisky Glass with your favorite anejo and put it to the test!
Connect With Glencairn
About The Glencairn Whisky Glass
The Glencairn Whisky Glass is a revolutionary whisky glass that really lets one savor the taste and complexity of fine whisky. These are great to use for any of your Single Malt Whisky’s, Irish Whiskey’s, and also your single barrel bourbons. With the tapered mouth, you are able to really smell all of the nuances the whisky has to offer. Any malt advocate will love this glass!
History Of The Glass: Champagne, Brandy, Wine… each has its own glass. Yet whisky, the worlds most complex spirit can be found served in anything from hiball tumblers to Paris goblets.
In 2001 Glencairn Crystal solved the problem of identifying the ideal glass for whisky. Designed by Raymond Davidson nearly 25 years earlier, its development involved pulling together the master blenders from the five largest whisky companies and asking them to perfect his initial design.
Today the Glencairn Glass can be found at every distillery in Scotland, Ireland, Wales as well as most in the USA.
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
Just in time for the holidays! On Sunday, November 22nd at 9pm Central, Tequila Aficionado will host a live Blab. We’ll discuss the importance of and differences in glassware with special guest Martin Duffy of Glencairn Glassware. We look forward to hearing from you on your own glassware preferences when drinking agave spirits.
[Tweet “Catch the replay of the @tequilaaficion #Blab with @martinduffy48 of @GlencairnGlass”]
Blab is a livestreaming platform that enables a public video chat among four participants at a time. If you are familiar with the likes of Periscope, Meerkat and Google Hangouts, it basically combines all three.
Viewers come in to watch the livestream and they can participate by leaving comments on the left hand side of the desktop application or below on the mobile version.
If one of the four seats is open, a viewer can easily request to join and it’s up to the host to accept them into the livestream.
[Tweet “Watch the @tequilaaficion #Blab replay on Tequila glassware with @martinduffy48 of @GlencairnGlass”]
Download ChromeLogin to Twitter
If you aren’t familiar with Blab, it is especially easy to use:
Simply open a Chrome browser (must be Chrome) and come back to this page to sign in with your Twitter account.
As Tequila Aficionado Media first reported in November of 2001, and shared with you again from our vault in the summer of 2015, tenth generation glassmaker Georg J. Riedel presented the perfect tequila tasting glass–the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass–at an exclusive ceremony in one of Mexico’s most renowned luxury hotels.
The over 250 year old Riedel Wine Glass Company, in concert with several prestigious members of the CRT and Casa Noble tequila were involved in its development.
The introduction of the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass would serve to elevate the image of tequila from a beverage strictly consumed in shots to an elegant spirit worthy of sipping and savoring.
Originally designed for reposados in mind, the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass over the years has been revered by the likes of Master Distiller Germán González as a valuable tasting and nosing tool, and reviled by others as an inadequate vessel to judge the nuances and characteristics of agave spirits.
Many in the industry have questioned why separate glassware hasn’t been produced for each of the agave growing regions, much like the wine and spirits regions of Bordeaux and Cognac. Tasting and nosing glasses for Atotonilco, Amatitán, Arandas, el valle de Tequila (Tequila Valley), and all points in between should be represented with their own custom stemware.
With all the talk about terroir in tequila and mezcal these days, using proper glassware to discern specific regional characteristics of top notch juice is vitally important.
But, which glasses are the right ones? What else is out there?
[Tweet “#tequila #glassware @blab 11/22/15 9PM CST @TequilaAficion and @MartinDuffy48 of @GlencairnGlass”]
Let’s Blab About Tequila Glassware
Join Tequila Aficionado Media right here on our website on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 9PM CST when founder, Alex Perez and CEO, Mike Morales blab about other viable options in tequila and mezcal glassware with Martin Duffy, the exclusive representative of the famed Glencairn Chrystal in the US.
On the eve of the 14th anniversary of the introduction of the Tequila Glass, discover other alternatives in glassware to enhance your enjoyment of tequila, mezcal and all agave spirits.
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. It is an unsurpassed marketing and promotional opportunity for the top medal winners.
*Editor’s Note 2015*
This announcement was from the 2013 show where tequila was judged in champagne flutes. The most recent show used the Neat Glass to judge tequila. Many aficionados have mentioned to us that although the Neat Glass works very well for mezcals, it does a disservice to tequilas. Have you tried tequilas in side-by-side tastings with different glassware? What are your findings?
Silver
Centinela Añejo Tequila, Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico [$40]
Imported by Haas Bros. – San Francisco, CA
Bronze
Centinela Añejo Tequila, Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico [$60]
Imported by Haas Bros. – San Francisco, CA
Silver
Del Señor Añejo Tequila Herencia Historico 27 de Mayo, Jalisco, Mexico [$250]
Bronze
Del Señor Añejo Tequila Herencia de Plata, Jalisco, Mexico [$45]
Bronze
Don Eduardo Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [$50]
Imported by Brown-Forman – Louisville, KY
Silver
Don Julio Añejo Tequila, Mexico [$53]
Imported by Diageo – San Francisco, CA
Double Gold
1800 Añejo Tequila 1800, Mexico [$39]
Imported by Skyy Spirits – NY
Silver
El Jimador Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [$100]
Imported by Sazerac Co. – New Orleans, LA
Double Gold
El Tesoro Añejo Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [$45]
Imported by Jim Beam Brands – Deerfield, IL
Silver
Espolon Añejo Tequila, Arandas, Mexico [$43]
Imported by Shaw Ross – Miami, FL
Gold
Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila, Mexico [$58]
Imported by Skyy Spirits – NY
Silver
Herradura Añejo Tequila Suprema, Jalisco, Mexico [$300]
Imported by Sazerac Co. – New Orleans, LA
Silver
Jose Cuervo Añejo Tequila Reserva de la Familia, Mexico [$80]
Imported by Diageo – San Francisco, CA
Bronze
Oro Azul Añejo Tequila, Zapopan, Mexico [$53]
Imported by Barrel Select Importer – West Bend, WI
Bronze
Sauza Añejo Tequila Tres Generaciones, Mexico [$37]
Imported by Allied Domecq Spirits – Westport, CT
MIXTO TEQUILA
Bronze
La Cava del Villano MixtoTequila Gold, Jalisco, Mexico [$13]
Double Gold
X X X Siglo Treinta Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico [$20]
Imported by 123 Spirits, Los Angeles, CA
AGAVE SPIRITS
Silver
Don Amado Mezcal, Oaxaca, Mexico [$40]
Imported by Haas Bros. – San Francisco, CA
How do you feel about glassware when tasting tequilas? Will any old glass do, or is there a particular shape or design that brings out the notes you’re looking for?
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
There are two official schools in Mexico that train people to be certified catadores (tequila tasters). One is actually a faction of the original school established in 2000 and known as the Academia Mexicana del Tequila (Mexican Tequila Academy).
Below are the official guidelines of tequila tasting as set forth by the Mexican Tequila Academy and translated from their website here.
[Tweet “The official guidelines of #tequila tasting as set forth by the Mexican Tequila Academy”]
1.) Durante todo el proceso de cata, no debe haber communicación entre los catadores.
(During the entire tasting, there should be no communication among the tasters
Covered tequila samples.
[judges]).
2) Recuerde que un gesto o cualquier otra actitud de aprobación o desaprobación, puede influir en la opinión de los otros participantes. Su opinión, sea cual fuere, debe ser reflejada en la cédula de cata, y si tuviera opiniones o comentarios extra-calificación, es importante que utilice el reverso de la cédula correspondiente a la muestra que está evaluando.
(Keep in mind that any gesture of approval or disapproval can influence the opinion of the other judges. Whatever your opinion, it should be reflected on the scoring sheet and if you have opinions or extra comments (ratings), it’s important to use the reverse side of the scoring sheet of the sample you are evaluating.)
3.) Antes y durante el transcurrir de la cata no es conveniente fumar, ya que el tabaco disminuye la capacidad de percepción sensorial y sus apreciaciones podrían estar afectadas y el humo afectará a los otros catadores.
(Before and during the course of the tasting, it is not convenient to smoke since tobacco diminishes one’s sensorial capacities and perceptions. Your assessments may be affected and the smoke will affect the other tasters [judges].)
[Tweet “Smoking and other factors will affect your #tequila tasting experience”]
4.) Se recomienda que el día del catado se evite el uso de lociones o perfumes.
Agave, up close.
(It is recommended that on the day of the tasting that you avoid the use of lotions or perfumes.)
5.) De preferencia el día de la cata se debe tomar un desayuno ligero, entre las 8:00 y las 9:00 hrs. si la cata se inicia a las 11:00.
(It is preferred that on the day of the tasting that you have a light breakfast at 8 or 9 AM if the tasting is to start at 11AM.)
[Tweet “Avoid the use of lotions or perfumes when preparing for a #tequila tasting”]
6.) Antes de iniciar el catado, ponga en su boca un pequeño sorbo de un destilado neutro (se recomienda vodka simple) páselo por toda la boca y finalmente elimínelo, este ejercicio hará que su boca quede limpia de sabores extraños o anteriores y la preparará para una mejor percepción.
(Before the inception of the tasting, place a small sip of a neutral [grain] spirit (plain vodka is recommended), swish it around in your mouth and spit it out. This practice cleanses your mouth of strange or previous flavors and prepares
Vodka, soda crackers, water and scoring sheets.
you for a better perception [evaluation]).
7.) Antes de calificar el sabor de la primera muestra, se recomienda poner en la boca un primer sorbo y moverlo por toda ella, eliminarlo y con un segundo sorbo emitir su calificación sobre el sabor.
(Before scoring the first sample on its flavor, it is recommended to take the first sip and swish it inside your entire mouth and spit it out. With the second sip, express (record) your score on the flavor.)
[Tweet “Never judge your #tequila tasting experience on the first sip”]
8.) Tómese el tiempo necesario para evaluar cada muestra, no lo haga apresuradamente, y sobre todo concéntrese en la muestra en turno. ¡CONCENTRACIÓN ES EL NOMBRE DEL JUEGO!
(Take the time necessary to evaluate each sample. Don’t be in a hurry, and above all, concentrate on the current sample. CONCENTRATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME!)
9.) Recuerde que es su percepción y opinión, sobre la muestra en turno, la que vale y no el qué o cómo pudiere parecerle a otra persona.
(Remember that it’s your perception and opinion over the current sample that counts and not how someone else might perceive it.)
10.) No intente hacer comparaciones; no tiene que conectar la muestra en turno con alguna marca en particular; realice su evaluación como si cada una de las muestras fuera única. Cada una de las muestras tendrá sus propias características, positivas o negativas, sus cualidades, atributos y esos son los que deben contar para usted, de acuerdo con los parámetros de la categoría y clase de la muestra, ya que esto es finalmente lo que se busca.
[Tweet “Every #tequila is different, be careful not to judge by comparison”]
(Do not attempt to make comparisons. Do not connect the current sample to a particular brand. Carry out your evaluations as if each sample were unique. Each one of the samples will have its own characteristics, positive or negative, its own qualities and attributes, and those are what you should depend (rely) upon in accordance with the parameters of the category and type of the
Scoring tequila samples.
sample as that is ultimately what is looked for.)
11.) Es importante que al pasar de una a otra muestra, elimine el sabor de la anterior con un poco de galleta sin sal y agua.
(It is important that after each sample, you cleanse its flavor [from your palate] with a bit of plain soda cracker and water.)
12.) Elimine el sorbo de cada muestra evaluada, al final de la cata podrá beber de las muestras que prefiera.
(Eliminate the sip of each sample evaluated. At the end of the cata (tasting) you’ll be able to drink from the samples you preferred.)
13.) Es de vital importancia que para evaluar cada categoría y clase de tequila, tome en consideración el parámetro o perfil correspondiente, esas deben ser sus referencias al calificar la categoría y clase. Al reverso de la ficha, encontrará perfiles generales para la categoría 100% de agave y cada clase. Al reverso de la cédula encontrará estos perfiles generals.
(It is vitally important that to evaluate each category and type of tequila that you take into consideration the corresponding parameter or profile. Those should be your references to score the category and type. On the reverse side of the scoring card you’ll find general descriptions for the category of 100% de agave [tequila] and each type. On the reverse side of your identification card, you will [also] find these general descriptions.)
14.) Es indispensable que antes de iniciar el catado, anote en todas sus cédulas su nombre. Y una vez que emita sus calificaciones para cada muestra, realice la suma de puntos total, anotando este resultado en el lugar destinado para ello y que registre esta calificación en su hoja personal de control.
(It is indispensable that before the tasting, you write your names on all of the scoring sheets. Once you’ve graded each sample, total up the points and write the sum in the space provided and register this evaluation on your personal control sheet.)
15.) Circule la calificación para cada concepto de evaluación (visual, olfativo, sabor), no palomee, no cruce ni tache los números de la calificación.
(Circle the grade for each component of evaluation (visual, olfaction, flavor). Do not deliberately “fudge,” cross out or eliminate numbers from the score.)
16.) Las copas con las muestras, han sido ordenadas de izquierda a derecha en
Covered samples
dos líneas: de la 1 a la 5 y atrás de la 6 a la 10. En esa misma secuencia deberá realizarse la cata, destapando exclusivamente la copa de la muestra que va a evaluar y volviéndola a tapar al pasar a la siguiente.
(The glasses with the samples are in order from left to right in two lines: from 1 to 5, and in back from 6 to 10. The tasting should be done in the same sequence, uncovering only the glass of the sample you are evaluating, and then recovering it before moving on to the next one.)
17.) En general recuerde la capacitación que sobre catado ha recibido.
(In general, remember the tequila tasting training you have received.)
Considere que su evaluación de cada muestra es en extremo valiosa y que con sus calificaciones estará afectando positiva o negativamente a esa muestra y por tanto a una marca en particular que se expende en el mercado, por lo que se debe realizar con extrema imparcialidad y absoluta honestidad.
(Consider that your evaluation of each sample is extremely valuable. Your scores will affect, either positively or negatively, that sample and therefore, a particular brand coming onto the retail market. It should be carried out with extreme impartiality and absolute honesty.)
[Tweet “Serious #tequila tastings should be carried out with impartiality & honesty”]
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Learn all about tequila from field to glass and then get paid to share your love of agave spirits with others! Buy Them Both Now!
Emilio De Soto is not only the Maestro Tequilero of overproof tequila Dos Almas blanco and its stablemate, Dos Almas Cinnamon Liqueur, but he is also the founder of a sportswear company.
In this Tequila Aficionado special feature, Mike Morales and Alex Perez discuss glassware choices available to fully appreciate the spirit of Mezcal.
Mike Morales and Alex Perez discuss the history of the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass, how it came to be, and the commonly accepted method of nosing and tasting tequila with the Riedel Ouverture Tequila Glass.
