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!
On a frigid and damp Saturday night in November 2013, Roger Clyne, along with his band The Peacemakers, invited Tequila Aficionado Media to an intimate concert at Billy’s Ice House in New Braunfels, TX.
“The planet does not need more ‘successful people.’ The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds….” H.H. The Dalai Lama
But one recording artist does so both openly and somewhat quietly–Roger Clyne.
Shivering in the cold outside the Peacemakers’ eco-friendly tour bus, I recalled a conversation that I had had earlier with my good friend, Jason Silverman, Agave Beverage Manager at the famous Agave Bar & Restaurant in New York City. He’d met Roger a few weeks earlier during the band’s New York swing and remarked that he was one of the coolest and most down-to-earth guys in the music and tequila business.
[Tweet “1 of the coolest and most down-to-earth guys in music & tequila. @mexmoonshine @azpeacemakers”]
Once we climbed aboard, we were warmly met by heat (thank goodness!), dimmed lighting, and soft flamenco guitar music that instantly set the tone for a relaxing one-on-one with the only award winning tequila brand owner (Gold Medal at the 2014 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Mexican Moonshine añejo) set to launch another highly anticipated indy album (The Independent premiered April 29, 2014).
Rich gonna reap, Poor gotta sow…How we gonna make bread without any dough?
Being frank, open and honest, much like his lyrics, here Roger offers us a look into what it takes to bring his start up tequila onto the market to compete with big name brands. As you’ll agree, it’s very similar to the indy music business.
Hello raindrop, hello sea…Hello jungle, leaf on the tree…Hello new day!
Possibly due to his early ranching heritage in Arizona, Clyne has pledged that the Peacemakers would walk softly upon the Earth while on tour. He believed that his tequila factory should have the same respect for nature.
[Tweet “The @AZPeacemakers & @mexmoonshine are committed to walking softly upon the Earth”]
In this clip, Roger reveals his reasons for selecting Fabrica de Tequilas Finos (NOM 1472) as the producer of Mexican Moonshine tequila. Foremost was the distillery’s efforts at environmental responsibility and vinazas clean up.
Screw-top wine, Rhythm and rhyme…My moonshine in a plastic cup
Once referred to as the “Bruce Springsteen of the Southwest,” Roger’s rock n’ roll persona is often misinterpreted. While he admits to playing as hard as he works, Clyne is a conscientious catador, learning from his mentors at Tequilas Finos, owner Federico Cabo and Master Distiller, Arturo Fuentes.
In these next clips, Roger Clyne gets up close and personal with his fans and concert goers at Billy’s Ice House in New Braunfels, TX, as he conducts his own tequila tasting of Mexican Moonshine.
Still a student of life, as well as tequila, in this snippet, we discuss proper tasting practices and the Vinturi aerator.
Hey Cantinero!
Jason Silverman, mixologist and fan of Roger Clyne – the man, the musician, and his Moonshine
With mixology driving the spirits industry and specially made cocktails being the new world order, Roger Clyne gives his thoughts on mixing with Mexican Moonshine.
So how does Roger Clyne relax after a long day on the road? Try his signature drink, the Cheat-a-Rita!
[Tweet “Try Roger Clyne’s signature drink, the Cheat-a-Rita! @AZPeacemakers @MexMoonshine”]
And everything’s slowin’ down flowin’ counterclockwise
Throughout his journey, Roger Clyne has successfully handled life’s curveballs.
Circus Mexicus, a weekend beach party jam session in the sleepy town of Puerto Peñasco, Mexico
Whether it was pursuing a music career independent of the support of corporate record labels, or organizing Circus Mexicus, a weekend beach party jam session in the sleepy town of Puerto Peñasco, Mexico that has turned into a four day music festival, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers have deliberately taken “the road less traveled.”
This same thoughtful path can be savored in each of his Mexican Moonshine expressions, and can surely be enjoyed in the melodies and lyrics of the band’s latest CD, The Independent.
If you feel that your own life decisions are turning your world counterclockwise, let these storytellers restore your soul and your taste buds, and heal your love for life.
After all, that was their original intention.
[Tweet “Let these storytellers restore your soul & taste buds. @AZPeacemakers @MexMoonshine”]
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Enjoy this video of Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers’ hit, Counterclockwise…
Speaking of curveballs…
M.A. “Mike” Morales and Roger Clyne posing for a picture after an amazing evening of tastings and interview
On April 29, 2014, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers will unleash their seventh studio album, The Independent. The title fits these musical mavericks like an old pair of faded jeans worn as a statement against oppression on Casual Fridays. Yet, as Clyne states, “There’s something about our music that celebrates what’s uniting versus what’s dividing.”
[Tweet “Celebrate what unites with the @AZPeacemakers new release #TheIndependent.”]
Click on the image to pre-order The Independent now (Release April 29, 2014).
Using this “Tequila Logic,” Roger Clyne has managed to do the same with Mexican Moonshine, gently hitching the spirit’s Lowland agave heritage to the wood notes of Kentucky bourbon to create a peacemaker that rightfully belongs in any collector’s arsenal.
Mexican Moonshine, Mexican Moonshine…Let your heart and your cup overflow, under the glow of the moonshine! May your heart and your cup… Overflow…under the glow of theMoonshine!
On a frigid and damp Saturday night in November 2013, Roger Clyne, along with his band The Peacemakers, invited Tequila Aficionado Media to an intimate concert and tequila tasting at Billy’s Ice House in New Braunfels, TX, to talk music, heritage, and his tequila, Mexican Moonshine.
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[Tweet “Talking music, heritage & Mexican Moonshine #Tequila with Roger Clyne. @azpeacemakers@MexMoonshine“]
Hey, gringos, it could be worse…we did not get there first
The Colt Single Action Army, also known as the Peacemaker, is considered a famous part of Americana. “The Gun That Won the West” was wielded by such action-oriented historical legends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Buffalo Bill Cody, Theodore Roosevelt, Judge Roy Bean, Pat Garrett and General George Patton. It has also been the selected sidearm of Hollywood movies, preferred by everyone from John Wayne to Clint Eastwood in every single Dirty Harry film. And in 2011, it was declared the official firearm of the state of Arizona. Arizona is also home to another piece of Americana–a guts and guitar driven, reggae and mariachi laced, roots based rock-n-roll band leyenda known as Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers. Armed with expressive lyrics, evocative melodies and four part harmonies, these straight shooters have come to redefine the indie music landscape by being the first band to debut six consecutive albums in the Top Ten of Billboard Magazine’s Internet Sales chart. Along the way, Clyne has gathered a burgeoning cult following that rivals that of Sammy Hagar and Jimmy Buffet–both themselves very successful tequila front men. [Tweet “Guts, guitar, reggae & mariachi laced, rock-n-roll known as Roger Clyne & @azpeacemakers @MexMoonshine”]
I fell under the spell when I stumbled over the line…
Many aficionados roll their eyes when news of another celebrity endorsed tequila hits the liquor store shelves. But Roger Clyne came upon his admiration for agave spirits early in life as part of his Southwestern ranching heritage, predating even his love for writing music and performing.
Roger was first introduced to scotch as a teenager by his grandfather who would pour him a dram to “put hair on your chest.” The taste of “dirty socks in mud” was tough to swallow, but it was his father’s sharing of bacanora, another agave distillate, that opened him up to the wonders of Mexican spirits, and in particular, tequila. Like most of us, Clyne cut his teeth by shooting cheap mixto tequila in college, then swearing off of it until the next opportunity to overindulge. He was well into his studies (psychology and anthropology) at Arizona State University when he rediscovered that “bright, wonderful, elegant, lyrical taste” of tequila during an exchange program in Ensenada, Mexico, while following a troop of mariachis. [Tweet “Discover the “bright, wonderful, elegant, lyrical taste” of tequila with @MexMoonshine @azpeacemakers”]
It’s surreal, sublime, manmade and divine…it’s the moonshine….
Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine tequila was born in true outlaw fashion in 2004 during the famed Circus Mexicus music festival that takes place annually in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico (Rocky Point, for you ex-pats).
After that initial experience, Roger began scouting for factories to produce Mexican Moonshine, a journey that would even take him to the famed La Cofradía distillery (NOM 1137), the home of Casa Noble and Montejima tequilas.
He finally selected Fabrica de Tequilas Finos (NOM 1472) and forged a relationship with the distillery owner, Federico Cabo, and Master Distiller, Arturo Fuentes. Together, the team first “dropped” Mexican Moonshine reposado onto the market in 2010, even though Clyne was advised against such commercial suicide due to historically poor sales of this expression.
Soak in the silvery light spillin’ out tonight from the moonshine…
In this clip, Roger pours and discusses Mexican Moonshine silver…
We’ll get a fine flow flowin’, a good glow goin’…
Believing that a reposado is the more definitive expression of tequila, Clyne was surprised when Master Distiller, Arturo Fuentes suggested that Mexican Moonshine be aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels. Here, Roger explains further.
I got a healin’ home-brewed remedy, a low-brow therapy…
A Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2014, Mexican Moonshine añejo was released in 2013 and is fast becoming Roger Clyne’s favorite expression, much to his chagrin. In the following snippet, Roger breaks down its flavor profile. [Tweet “Arturo Fuentes is proud of his lady’s legs. Have you seen them yet? @MexMoonshine@azpeacemakers“]
Turn your back on all the deadlines…
On April 29, 2014, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers will unleash their seventh studio album, The Independent. The title fits these musical mavericks like an old pair of faded jeans worn as a statement against oppression on Casual Fridays. Yet, as Clyne states, “There’s something about our music that celebrates what’s uniting versus what’s dividing.”
Click on the image to pre-order The Independent now (Release April 29, 2014).
Using this “Tequila Logic,” Roger Clyne has managed to do the same with Mexican Moonshine, gently hitching the spirit’s Lowland agave heritage to the wood notes of Kentucky bourbon to create a peacemaker that rightfully belongs in any collector’s arsenal.
Mexican Moonshine, Mexican Moonshine…Let your heart and your cup overflow, under the glow of the moonshine! May your heart and your cup… Overflow…under the glow of theMoonshine!
Alex Viecco, CEO of award winning and triple distilled Montalvo tequila is a new hybrid of tequila brand owner.
While he shares the passion of many of the family owned brands that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, he has a keen business sense that comes from his many years in the financial planning industry.
In other words…
He doesn’t let his emotional attachment to the juice get in the way of his business decisions. Like a solid investment portfolio, he is also quite diversified.
Alex Viecco unwraps Montalvo tequila
Alex is one of the founding investors of a company that I’ve been watching with interest for some time–Greenhouse Holdings (now Premier Alliance), a company dedicated to finding a solution to the alarming Vinazas Crisis that I’ve discussed here.
As outspoken and passionate as I have been about the illegal dumping of tequila wastewaters (vinazas) by distilleries into the rivers and streams of the Paisaje Agavero, Alex has been even more of an advocate for foreign investment in wastewater processing plants as a way of combating the pollution epidemic that still haunts the Tequila Industry.
Since this February 2011 Fox News Latino news release cited here, the original project that he brought to Greenhouse’s attention has been placed on hold due to the merger with Premier Alliance. Viecco assures, however, that the mission to clean up tequila wastewaters is again gaining traction with the present company, whose new investors include basketball great, Shaquille O’Neal.
“They are exploring a couple of different options to provide yet additional solutions in the region,” explains Viecco.
“As you know, many of the companies are a bit leery due to the Big Guys being in so much control. The goal is to provide a much broader solution to the region which will include the small and mid guys [tequila producers].”
“We have been talking with two groups, Premier and another group, to see who will fund a project to get things cleaned up. My partners and I are the ones bringing in the guns to make it happen.”
“Like anything else,” Alex cautions, “it is still about relationships and foreign companies overcoming their fear of investing in foreign lands.”
Montalvo tequila and Vinturi aerator.
And relationship building is exactly what Viecco strives for when visiting new accounts to sample Montalvo blanco, reposado and añejo.
A small batch tequila whose agave is sourced from the Lowlands of Jalisco, Alex realizes that his brand isn’t for everyone. And just like the fourth generation distillers who oversee the triple distillation of Montalvo (a brand named after a fictional family brand of the popular 2007 telenovela, Destilando Amor), he carefully and deliberately chooses who he will partner with and where he will place the precious bottles of Montalvo.
Another strategic partnership Alex has forged is with Vinturi, makers of wine and spirits aerators (an item we’ll cover in an upcoming post) that allows your wine and spirits to open or “bloom” in a much shorter time.
Finally, what would Alex Viecco like for you to know about Montalvo?
In a word, “explore” the wonderful world of tequila, and start with Montalvo.
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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!
After that initial experience, Roger began scouting for factories to produce Mexican Moonshine, a journey that would even take him to the famed La Cofradía distillery (NOM 1137), the home of 
