Mike Morales and Lisa Pietsch get together for two very special episodes of Sipping Off the Cuff with JLP Margaritas. If you’ve been following us, you know that we’ve awarded the Golden Lime Margarita a Gold Medal but this is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to taste the Strawberry and Pomegranate flavors. Watch to see what we thought of the Strawberry:
*NOTE*
We have confirmation from brand owner, Javier Martinez, JLP is NOT diffused tequila. JLP is cooked in hornos de mamposteria for 72 hrs and then double column distilled. Find JLP Tequila Online
About JLP Tequila:
Why we call it JLP The Presidents Tequila? Back in 1758, Jesus Lopez Y Galindo(JLP descendant), Governor of the Villa of Tequila in the Jalisco region, gave possession of a Hacienda to Jose Antonio Cuervo in the name of King Carlos III of Spain.
It was there that in 1795 Maria Magdalena Ignacio Cuervo married Vicente Albino Rojas(JLP descendant) and founded the distillery “La Rojena.” They would become the first to receive the official concession to produce Tequila-Wine on the land that is today known as Tequila, Jalisco. It was in the 19th Century that the family brought in a German agronomist by the name of Franz Weber(who married into JLP’s family) to classify the Agave plant. Today it is known as Agave Tequiliana Azul Weber, the foundation for all fine tequila.
With this rich heritage it was only fitting that JLP would develop his very own Tequila.
[From October 14 to October 28, 2015, Tequila Aficionado Media, accompanied by 33 expressions representing 19 brands, embarked on an epic RV road show christened, The Dia de los Muertos Tequila & Mezcal Tour. In these next passages, we recount the historic–and hysteric–highlights.]
Church, Tacos, and Tequila With Roger Clyne
Phoenix, Arizona
One of the highlights of Tequila Aficionado Media’s breakthrough Dia de los Muertos Tequila & Mezcal Tour was lunch with indy rock legend Roger Clyne of Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers.
After graciously posing for a quick photo outside our Cruise America RV with Lisa’s boys, we anxiously followed Roger and his lovely and elusive wife, Alisa, inside the historic Taco Guild gastropub, a deconsecrated Methodist church where he had recently conducted an exclusive tasting for fans of his Mexican Moonshine Tequila.
[Tweet “Get your @MexMoonshine fix at @TacoGuild in AZ!”]
Having spent most of my young life inside churches, my first inclination was to
speak reverently in whispers. Like most places of worship, the Taco Guild had its original stained glass windows and acoustically high ceilings that amplified the din of the lunch time crowd.
It didn’t take long before whispering was futile and more tequila and cocktails were needed.
Next On Deck
After ordering and savoring some delicious taco plates, Alisa and Roger clued us in on what was ahead for Mexican Moonshine tequila.
Not only were they planning an extensive 2015 fall tour, but they were also gearing up for 2016’s annual Circus Mexicus. But, there was another surprise–
The exclusive Mexican Moonshine extra añejo in a ceramic, commemorative 20th anniversary collector’s bottle depicting the “Fizzy Fuzzy, Big & Buzzy” album by Roger’s then group, The Refreshments.
[Tweet “Get your @MexMoonshine fix at @DBacks in AZ!”]
The band financed the effort so successfully via an Indiegogo campaign that the extra funds enabled them to parlay Mexican Moonshine as a featured tequila in twenty locations–including their own branded cantinas– throughout Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball club for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Tequila Tasting With Roger Clyne
A staunch reposado enthusiast, Roger was making it his personal journey to research extra añejos in order to help him define his preferred flavor profile
for Moonshine’s upcoming XA offering.
Known for their varied and extensive tequila menu,
naturally, an impromptu tequila tasting ensued courtesy of the Taco Guild’s gracious bar manager.
After selecting and sampling a variety of tequilas from other producers with varying production methods,
including some exclusive ultra añejos from behind the Taco Guild’s sacred bar for over an hour, it was time to say goodbye to Roger and Alisa.
After supplying the Clynes with a bottle of blanco tequila and an añejo mezcal (for educational purposes, of course!), we hefted our bulging bag of leftovers onto the Cruise America RV.
Playing Catch Up
On the way back to our RV park, we stopped at the local supermarket to stock up on supplies for the what we expected would be the crown jewel of our tour–
The Grand Canyon.
After catching up on our required social media chores, a light dinner was in order along with sips of Mestizo Mezcal to chase away the creeping chill of the Arizona evening.
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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!
Each Monday evening at 7pm Central, we have one new guest on our live show, Open Bar. This week’s guest was Wayne Rezunyk of award winning De La Tierre Maple Tequila Liqueur.
We use the Blab.im platform for these Open Bar shows. Blab is easy to use, more interactive than a phone call, but just as easy to participate in.
De La Tierre Maple Tequila Liqueur
The story is simple, It all started out with an epiphany that hit Troy Bilodeau January 31st 2010.
A then long time friend Wayne Rezunyk and Troy put their heads together and started testing that day, this was followed with a little research (tasting) okay okay a lot of research, then they agreed that they maybe on to something. Countless hours of, testing and researching and the duo came up with what is now “De la Tierre” Canadian Maple Tequila. With a lot of effort, belief, luck and unquenchable desire to make this spirit a true blend of Canadian and Mexican taste at their finest, “De la Tierre” Canadian Maple Tequila was born !
Extensive “testing and researching” later and partnering with Ralph Berezan who had the same desire and vision, we are now able to offer a unique flavored Tequila, the only Canadian Maple flavored Reposado currently on the world market. The name De la Tierre is slang in Spanish for “from the Earth or of the Earth” as both the Canadian Maple tree and the Mexican Agave plant are grown in the Earth.
No longer just for our friends and family, you are invited to enjoy this very special blend of spices, 100% pure Canadian maple syrup, mixed with a gold medal winning 100% Blue agave Reposado Tequila from Mexico. “De la Tierre” Canadian Maple Tequila will be available for the enjoyment of all.
We hope you enjoy the plethora of tastes that this flavored Tequila has to offer!
El Viejito is a classic Mexicano tequila company, claiming roots back to 1937.
The distillery is located in the town of Atotonilco, approximately 98 km (60 miles) from Guadalajara, in the “Highlands” of the State of Jalisco in Mexico. This region is recognized, among other things, for having the best soil, climate, water and altitude to grow Agave plants and of course for the quality of the tequilas produced in this region.
All of El Viejito’s 100% blue agave tequilas show moderate to macho agave intensity and flavor, with pepper and citrus as secondary notes. High quality water, ripe agave and lots of experience combine to produce the premium tequila they have been making since 1937.
“El Viejito” was one of the founders of the Tequila Regulatory Council in 1994.
[From October 14 to October 28, 2015, Tequila Aficionado Media, accompanied by 33 expressions representing 19 brands, embarked on an epic RV road show christened, The Dia de los Muertos Tequila & Mezcal Tour. In these next passages, we recount the historic–and hysteric–highlights.]
Inspired In Albuquerque
With the help of Mezcal Legendario Domingo, Lisa and I brainstormed about our black water tank problem.
We would contact Cruise America RV’s headquarters in Mesa, AZ via their Facebook page, and make an appointment with their service department. Since we were already fans, this impromptu visit would also serve as more content for Tequila Aficionado and Lisa’s personal blog.
Brilliant!
Get Your Kicks
Having trekked from Albuquerque to Phoenix a few times before, both Lisa and myself were aware that portions of Interstate 40 coursed along the Mother Road, historic Route 66.
And having lived in New Mexico for many years, I knew that a stop at Route 66 Casino for more photo ops was a must, especially because Route 66 Tequila had come on the tour, as well.
It was a memorable pit stop for us. We made a few new friends and had fun doing it! Check out this video highlight.
By The Time I Get to Phoenix
Once we left New Mexico in the rear view mirror and entered Arizona, the scenery changed and so did our mood.
After a mid-evening check-in at the Desert Shadows RV park in Phoenix, coupled with a late dinner, a snifter of Route 66 tequila for a nightcap seemed appropriate. But, not too many.
Our appointment with Cruise America’s service department to address our black water tank problem loomed early the next morning.
Cruise America Headquarters
An impressive fleet of RVs greeted us at Cruise America’s headquarters in Mesa. Its size and depth was deceiving with ample showrooms inside. No matter which department we dealt with, though, the company’s dedication to customer service was first rate.
While the service department examined our damaged RV, we spent time speaking with Vice President, Michael Smalley, on several topics concerning Cruise America’s long history and company philosophy.
An hour later, the head of the service department conferred with Mr. Smalley. Knowing that we were pressed for time, Michael advised that the quickest way to get us back enjoying the road and working on our tour was to switch us to a newer RV rather than to have us wait any longer for repairs on the black water tank.
After unloading clothes and supplies from our old RV and reloading the new one, we waved goodbye to our friends at Cruise America and shuttled back to our RV park in Phoenix.
That afternoon, Lisa was expecting her longtime friends and members of her writer’s group, and she was bound and determined to introduce them to fine sipping tequila from Casa 1921.
The Butterscotch Martini Girls
Once we were safely back at Desert Shadows with a brand new RV, Lisa regaled her friends with 1921 La Crema. You can view their official introduction to this tequila gem here, and their rave review here.
As for me, I took the time to sit underneath one of the many fruit trees near our space, lit a cigar, and enjoyed the rolling clouds that signaled a cooling monsoon shower just before sunset.
[Tweet “Save Mezcal! Sign the Petition Against Nom 199”]
From the Mestizo Mezcal Website:
Our Brand
The name of our brand, MESTIZO, is a perfect one-word description of how mezcal was created. Mestizo originates from the Latinmixticĭus, meaning mixed, and was used by the Spanish to refer to the mixing of the European and indigenous Mexican people. Mezcal is a fusion between the ancient beverage mexcalli, produced by the indigenous tribes of Mexico, and the alambique distillation process introduced to the Spanish by the Moors and subsequently brought by the Spanish to the indigenous civilization of the American colonies. Mezcal is thus the first MESTIZO spirit of America.
What is Mestizo Mezcal?
Mestizo Mezcal is an ancient spirit that is unique because of its distinctive, complex and aromatic flavors. Mezcal was produced centuries ago by the Zapotec tribe in Mexico, and was considered to be a gift from the goddess Mayahuel. In the 16th century, the Spanish introduced a specialized European distillation process to the Zapotec tribe that was used to improve the ancient beverage. Today, the founders of Mestizo Mezcal works with its producers from the Mexican state of Oaxaca to further define and enrich the taste of our product and create a perfect convergence of cultures within each bottle.
During Tequila Aficionado’s Open Bar #6, Mike Morales and Lisa Pietsch talk to Andres Garcia of Embajador Tequila about his recent visit to the USA Trade Tasting in New York City, his Level 3 Catador class with Ana Maria Romero Mena, and how he is expanding his brand’s market footprint.
[Tweet “Open Bar #6: @timberelk & @lisapietsch talk to Andres Garcia of Embajador Tequila @EmbajadorTquila @MakerGen”]
From their website:
We are a family who is motivated and inspired by the idea of crafting superior quality and distinguished Tequila. Embajador is produced in small batches to focus on the brands consistency and quality principles. We produce Embajador using only 100% Blue Weber Agave that is grown on our estate located in Atotonilco in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, Mexico. This region in the valley of the Highlands of Jalisco is distinctive with its nutrient rich soil, along with a natural spring water aquifer that runs through our land, which is the essence that gives Embajador its distinguished characteristics.
We will not sacrifice the honored value of our methods or the superiority of our Agaves for mass production. We will not cut corners to meet new demand and boost the bottom lines. Our handcrafted methodology and patience is honored and fully committed to producing superior quality Tequila.
Our goal is to craft a brand that will always be consistent in aroma, taste and quality. We want Embajador Tequila to be here for generations to come, some 200+ years. The dedicated commitment to quality measures at each step of the production of Embajador is one that will define our core strategic sales and marketing goals. We will establish Embajador for steady growth in the high-end premium category over the next 3, 5 and 10 years.
This is not a sprint race for us, but more of a marathon and we are taking the proper steps to condition ourselves to achieve a strong successful presence in the US and Global market within the High-End Premium Tequila Category.
After all, we are the Embajador (Ambassador) of Mexico.
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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!
Join us for Open Bar #6 with Embajador Tequila on Monday!
Monday evening at 7pm Central, Andres Garcia will be joining Mike Morales and Lisa Pietsch for a chat about Embajador Tequila. Andres has been hard at work at some recent big shows, just returned from a visit to Mexico to take the famed class from Maestra Ana Maria Romero Mena, and he’s also been building his team and expanding the number of markets in which his family’s tequila is available.
Join us as we discuss these and other topics with him on our weekly Open Bar show on Blab.im.
[Tweet “Tequila Aficionado’s Open Bar with Embajador Tequila”]
We are a family who is motivated and inspired by the idea of crafting superior quality and distinguished Tequila. Embajador is produced in small batches to focus on the brands consistency and quality principles. We produce Embajador using only 100% Blue Weber Agave that is grown on our estate located in Atotonilco in the highlands (Los Altos) of Jalisco, Mexico. This region in the valley of the Highlands of Jalisco is distinctive with its nutrient rich soil, along with a natural spring water aquifer that runs through our land, which is the essence that gives Embajador its distinguished characteristics.
We will not sacrifice the honored value of our methods or the superiority of our Agaves for mass production. We will not cut corners to meet new demand and boost the bottom lines. Our handcrafted methodology and patience is honored and fully committed to producing superior quality Tequila.
Our goal is to craft a brand that will always be consistent in aroma, taste and quality. We want Embajador Tequila to be here for generations to come, some 200+ years. The dedicated commitment to quality measures at each step of the production of Embajador is one that will define our core strategic sales and marketing goals. We will establish Embajador for steady growth in the high-end premium category over the next 3, 5 and 10 years.
This is not a sprint race for us, but more of a marathon and we are taking the proper steps to condition ourselves to achieve a strong successful presence in the US and Global market within the High-End Premium Tequila Category.
After all, we are the Embajador (Ambassador) of Mexico.
What is Blab?
[Tweet “Join @TequilaAficion, @timberelk & @lisapietsch for Open Bar on @blab every Monday at 7pm CT”]
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.
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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!
In what proved to be the toughest bracket for the judges to date, Malinalli Tequila swept the Platinum trophy in the hard fought Blanco division, with Ambhar, El Mayor, and Mamalón tequilas close on its heels.
The surging Mezcal classification was dominated by the popular Gracias A Dios brand, while Montelobos and Amarás collected Golds in each of their groups.
[Tweet “Congrats to @graciasadiosmz and @Montelobos in the #2015BOP mezcal categories!”]
Gold Medal Winner Lisa Elovich, brand owner of Organic Tequila One With Life, was ecstatic, saying, “Thank you so much! It is such an honor to get this award. I know this will help us with marketing and distribution.” She graciously added, “Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners! So happy to be part of it!”
In an equally gracious statement made over their Instagram account, medal recipient Papa Bueno Tequila wrote, “We are honored to have been among this impressive group of nominees! We love tequila and congratulate all the winners and thank Tequila Aficionado for the time, humor and love they bring! Definitely Bueno!”
About the Brands Of Promise Awards
All brands were judged by Founder, Alex Perez and CEO, M.A. “Mike” Morales, as well as by other Tequila Aficionado staff, on how they performed during Tequila Aficionado’s wildly popular Sipping Off The Cuff™ video series seen regularly on TequilaAficionado.com and viewable on its YouTube channel.
[Tweet “The Brands Of Promise™ Awards help brands by leveling the playing field with NO FEES”]
Unlike other spirits contests, The Brands Of Promise™ Awards does not require participating agave spirit brands to pay an entry fee. It also does not charge winners additional hefty licensing tariffs for the rights to use the medal award graphics on their labels, neck tags, shelf talkers, brochures, point-of-sales materials and websites.
To enter your tequila, mezcal, sotol, raicilla, bacanora or other agave spirit or related product in the coveted Brands Of Promise™ Awards, click here.
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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!
In our 4th Open Bar show, Mike Morales and Lisa Pietsch talk with Humberto Ibarra of Glass Bottom Distributors. Some of the topics include women who love mezcal, the diffusor in tequila production, empowering small brands, and much more!
[From October 14 to October 28, 2015, Tequila Aficionado Media, accompanied by 33 expressions representing 19 brands, embarked on an epic RV road show christened, The Dia de los Muertos Tequila & Mezcal Tour. In these next passages, we recount the historic–and hysteric–highlights.
You can also view a complete video playlist of our adventures on our YouTube channel here…]
On A Dark Desert Highway
Somewhere outside Carlsbad, New Mexico
On a dark stretch of highway in southeastern New Mexico, a road weary Lisa Pietsch guided the Cruise America RV that Tequila Aficionado Media had rented for the historic Dia de los Muertos Tequila & Mezcal Tour.
Avoiding oncoming eighteen wheelers hauling oil and speeding two-ton diesel trucks, she counted the minutes until she reached her destination for the night, the Carlsbad KOA campground.
Suddenly, she gasped as a huge piece of truck tire appeared in the high beam headlights ahead of her.
With no way to avoid the giant twisted remnant on the two lane highway without swerving and fishtailing the thirty foot RV, she gritted her teeth, straddled the rubber and hoped for the best.
A resounding ka-thunk ka-thunk let her know that she had successfully survived what could have been a perilous situation. It wasn’t until the next morning that Lisa discovered what had actually happened.
Uncomplicated Sipping
Feeling like the castaways from Gilligan’s Island, what was supposed to have been a leisurely six hour drive from San Antonio, Texas to Carlsbad, New Mexico turned into a 9 hour ordeal that began with early morning packing and stocking the RV.
Once we parked and hooked up the water and electricity at the campground for the night, Lisa announced that all she wanted was something uncomplicated to sip on for a late evening nightcap.
After a sluggish morning, we decided to drive for Carlsbad Caverns in the early afternoon.
Unhooking the RV, Lisa noticed the damage to the black water tank. The coiled tire we had straddled the night before had poked a sizeable hole. If any of us needed to use the bathroom while we were on the road, it would spell disaster, especially for those following behind us.
With fingers crossed, we headed to Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
To The Bat Cave!
After struggling with our selfie stick trying to capture a family photo outside the park sign, we hustled into the visitor’s area for a mid-afternoon tour of the caverns.
Once inside, we were met with this alarming notice–
While we weren’t able to manage a tour of the Caverns’ famed bat exhibit that featured the Mexican free tail bats, there was enough important information to post in the above article.
Attack of The 10 Foot Martians
On our way back from Carlsbad Caverns just before nightfall, we were able to do a bit of souvenir shopping and picture taking with carved bears and aliens.
We had no idea that the alien culture was so prominent in Carlsbad, but we were sure that Roswell, our next day’s whistle stop, would have more than enough little green men to spare.
In the meantime, we appropriately eased into the gray, stormy evening with Tromba tequila.
The Truth Is Out There
From the moment that Alien Tequila hopped aboard our Tequila & Mezcal Tour, I knew that a stop in Roswell, NM at the UFO Museum was a must.
Walking through this charmingly quirky city with a bottle of Alien Tequila hidden in a bag made these photos even more delightful.
After more souvenir shopping, it was off to our stop for the next two nights at my old stomping grounds in Albuquerque.
R & R
Having stayed at this particular KOA campground during our first family RV outing earlier in the Spring of 2015, we were familiar with the amenities and felt comfortable enough to enjoy some down time. The driving had taken its toll on Lisa, so a two-day respite was just what she needed.
JLP Margaritas were the order of the evening. After catching up on emails and drafting blogs, Senda Real made an appearance, as well.
Finding Photo Ops
When you’re stuck behind a computer from 5 to 8 hours a day like Lisa and I usually are working to make Tequila Aficionado Media even more interesting, compelling and educational for you, finding ways to create more inspirational photo and video opportunities is challenging.
Stepping away from the home office and being on the road really lends itself to “outside-the-box” creativity. If you remain open to possibilities, even the simplest things can serve to generate epic social media content and articles.
Which is exactly what we needed since we were still faced with the dilemma of the damaged black water tank.
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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!
Why we call it JLP The Presidents Tequila?
