Download Francisco Quijano, master distiller for Lunazul, has dedicated much of his life to the world of Tequila. He served as the President of the National Tequila Chamber of Producers where he worked tirelessly to promote and protect authentic Tequila values around the world. He succeeded in designating the Tequila fields of Jalisco a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, making it one of the few cultural landscapes in the world with this distinction. It is this relentless passion that makes Francisco one of the best in the business. His vast experience with production, business, and agave ultimately made him the perfect match to craft the beautiful flavors of Lunazul. We chat the Beatles, labs, Austin, and more.  

Download Carl Nolet Jr is the 11th generation son of one of the biggest spirits dynasties in the world, the Nolet's. Having crafted quality spirits for centuries, their flagship Ketel One Vodka and Nolet's Silver Gin have now emerged into yet another delicious category with Ketel One Botanical. A spirit which embraces elements of Gin and Vodka, the 3 expression represent lessons learned in flavor and how a father and 2 sons can keep the family business innovating. With a focus on flavor, health, and moderation, Carl is touring the states sharing delicious sips of Ketel One Botanical. We chat legacy, wine, family paintings, and more.  

    Download With an accounting degree in his pocket, and a guitar strapped to his back, Ilegal Mezcal's Eric Fry trekked to Antigua without knowing exactly how it would impact his life. As an aspiring drummer in Athens, Alabama, he completed an accounting degree without exactly knowing why. But as the band fizzled out and wanderlust started to take root, Eric set off into the sunset. This journey led him to the beautiful Guatemala and ultimately to sit in as a quick-stop accountant for Cafe No Se's Ilegal Mezcal Years later and a move to Texas, Eric shares the beauty of Ilegal Mezcal and has never seen a stranger. We chat drumming, Pink Floyd, agave, and more. Two extra points:

1. Please donate HERE to help the people of Guatemala in the wake of their volcanic tragedy.
2. If you ever find yourself wanting to stay in Antigua, please contact eric@ilegalmezcal.com for complimentary accomodations.

Download   Bryan Masamitsu Parsons lives a triple life. He's part engineer, part spirits educator/enthusiast, and part creator. His culmination of text books smarts and guttural passion for Japanese spirits pay homage to his rich heritage. From Florida to Austin, TX, Bryan did not expect to become one of the leading educators for Sake, but now 3 years later he's making the most of it. As the lead sake educator for Kemuri Tatsu-ya, and Ramen Tatsu-ya, it's possible he'll have to quit his day job soon enough. We chat Rad Racer, Cracker Barrel, Shochu, and more.

California native Veronica A Flores followed the expected path like many of us, but after deep reflection and introspection, went of course; a more focused and enjoyable one. With a love of people and learning, Veronica found her calling in the hospitality industry. She is now regularly accompanied by 80's movie backdrops and amazing video games behind the bar at Coin Op- Gaslamp. This is the beginning of a beautiful career. We chat divorce, desk jobs, Top Gun, and more.

Musicians make the best ambassadors and for Glenfiddich's Mitch Bechard, touring around the world sharing art was second nature. Born in Scotland to Mauritian parents, Mitch was fortunate enough to spend his youth traveling the globe with his family, during which time he developed the kind of wanderlust that would become a central part of his career. Beginning in 1990, he started to take his first steps into the world of food and drink, cutting his teeth in hotel management, as well as running restaurants and cocktail bars in places as far-flung as Portugal, England, Scotland and Australia, as he traveled the globe chasing his passion for the spirits industry. We chat drumming, fatherhood, travel, and more.  

From beginning days in Portland, to traveling the United States now for Monkey 47, Pernod Ricard's Lacy Hawkins embraces the challenges before her. As a skillful beekeeper, the family business, Lacy appreciates the elements of nature in her travels, and especially in the composition of Monkey 47. We chat about western thinking, Austin, SpeedRack, and more.  

Download   New York native Matthew Korzelius has lived many lives prior to arriving behind the bar at The Roosevelt Room. The singing, sherry-loving, creative type has seen tragedy and rebuilding in ways that many have never experienced. Leaving the past behind and setting his sights on new creative outlets, Texas has punctuated a new chapter for Matthew as he finally enters the cocktail competition world and pursues new musical projects. We chat Springbank, Mutoid Man, love, and more.  

With a rich academic career, lust for learning, and a mastery of humility, Ezra Star embodies knowledge. A rich relationship with science and the arts drove Ezra to academic aspirations. But as many students learn, some of the finest career advancement occurs away from school and behind the bar. A series of serendipitous events later, Ezra is now one of the most insightful, thoughtful, and respected bar managers in the hospitality industry at Drink. We chat Miles Davis, French, simplicity, and more.....  

Emma Janzen has built her writing career on a passion for film, design, and flavors. Starting at the bottom of the newspaper totem pole at The Austin Statesman, an interesting opportunity to write about food emerged. This seemingly one off opportunity was the first entry into the bigger world of food and spirits. While residing as a digital editor for Imbibe Magazine, Emma Janzen pursued one of her long time passions, Mezcal. The resulting novel Mezcal: The History, Craft & Cocktails of the World's Ultimate Artisanal Spirit explores the beautiful spirit with eloquence and a touch that only Emma could provide. We chat cider, San Antonio, tacos, and Tim Burton.  

 

      Jack Teeling is one of the brightest and most ambitious entrepreneurs in Ireland. His family's dedication to  Ireland and whiskey created the bold Teeling Whiskey distillery. A lifetime infused with financial calculations and exceptional business acumen built the perfect pedigree for Jack to achieve his biggest feat yet: constructing the first distillery in Dublin in over 125 years. Where does this legacy of whiskey continue and thrive? Does innovation have its place in a category known for the opposite? We chat SNES, fatherhood, shadows, and more.    

The pride of Ireland, Mr Tim Herlihy, travels the US sharing drams of and education into Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey. This dream job takes him far from his roots in the Egg industry of Ireland but introduced Tim to his first big city environment, NYC. Many pub crawls and Irish coffees later, he loves shaking hands and kissing babies all the while sharing the beautiful tastes of Irish Whiskey. We chat WWF, black pudding, parades, and more.  

Joseph Castillo is one of the hardest working men in booze business. From early days on the coast of Texas to serving some of the first craft cocktails in Austin, Joseph takes every new challenge in stride. From Angel's Envy to Fireball, he manages to introduce the world to the next big thing. Now as one of front men of  Kimo Sabe Mezcal, which is the official Mezcal of SXSW 2018, will Joseph help catapult the Mezcalcategory into the stratosphere of being a household name.  We chat Zacatecas, catering, amateur acting, and entrepreneurialism.  

The Dalmore's Richard Paterson is one of the most revered men of the Scotch world. 51+ years working in all aspects of distillery production have given him one of the most decorated resumes in the world of Scotch. Richard has excelled in education, learning, and bringing a vibrant narrative to scotch tasting. His presentations are unforgettable, and his approach to engaging his audiences is equally brilliant showmanship. The "nose" is an artist, author, auteur, and consummate entertainer. What's next after this illustrious Scotch career? We chat art, comedy, learning, and fatherhood.

Elyse Blechman of The Macallan has influenced the hospitality industry in a profound way. From Speed Rack mastery to leading many discussions in the male-dominated field of Scotch Whiskey, Elyse has cherished every word of imparted wisdom from her mother to become the most exceptional woman she could be. From Houston to San Antonio, Elyse has cut her teeth from behind the bar in some of the greatest modern cocktail establishments. This love of hospitality and learning ultimately transformed into a high profile education role with Edrington as an ambition personality sharing The Macallan with the world. We chat mental health, physical health, and how mothers can make us feel invincible.

Brian McCullough is a southern man with southern sensibilities. His love of family and hospitality have injected an infectious vigor into the Dallas cocktail scene. Shaking hands, and smiling widely, Brian has seen Dallas transform into the hospitality haven that we see today. With numerous projects opening, and closing, where is Brian headed next? We talk about Maison Ferrand, fatherhood, failures, love, and of course MONSTER MAGNET.  

Download Flor de Caña's ambassador, Ashela Richardson is a well traveled, rum imbibed, ecological woman who understands that everything is connected somehow. From early days making visits to restaurants where her mother worked, Ashela acquired a familiarity with hospitality. Her travels led her to vacation in some of the most beautiful places in Central America and unbeknownst to her, a serendipitous relationship began to develop with Flor de Caña. We chat about The Aviary, food deserts, discrimination, and more.  

Download   San Antonio cocktail veteran Javi Gutierrez has seen all shapes and sizes in the hospitality industry. From a heavily engrained sense of community, sharing, and cooking in his mother's kitchen to slinging delicious cocktails from the leading establishments in San Antonio, Javi has seen it all. But when a dream starts to shudder and one's career needs a new turn, where do you go? We chat The Walking Dead, JP, Brooklynite, and more.    

Download The traveling Californian, Ryan Herzog, is on an ever-learning journey through life and his career. A deep interest in numbers and food sources translated into a peripheral booze journey in the Tonic market. Through the every day duties, Ryan learned about the human condition and ultimately took this passion to behind the bar. Peddling cocktails, certain Tennessee whiskey, and an kinetic charm, Ryan stopped by in Austin on a road trip with his sister. We talk family, metal, California, and more.  

Hospitality veteran Chris Morris is a refined amalgam of music, academic insight, bitterness, and generosity. The Houston native emerged from small town Santa Fe , Tx with a developed mind for music and an eye destined for flavor. Years later, the trusted palette of Mr Morris has created Bittersmith Bitters and a lauded Regalo cocktail for Bacardi Legacy. We chat metal, devil-locks, language, and whiskey.

The Regalo Cocktail

1.5 oz Bacardi Carta Blanca

1.0 oz Mango Nectar

0.5 oz Simple Syrup

3-4 Medium Basil Leaves

1.5 oz Champagne

Muddle Basil w/syrup, build all but Champagne, shake, strain over ice, top with Champagne, garnish with Basil

Campari America's lovable Mike Capoferri travels the states sharing the finest sips of Italian Amari's and bringing his down to earth charm to every room he enters. A southern gentleman by trade, his interests and creativity converged in the hospitality industry. From Georgia to Los Angeles, Mike has been traversing across every role behind the bar. Now in his most visible, and impactful role yet, how do you help people fall in love with Italian amaris? We chat parents, free college, canons, and more.

Unlimited Liabilities is an apt name for the 2 hospitality legends Danny Ronen and Russell Davis. We sit down to talk about their new Austin establishment Academia: a cocktail bar for intellectuals and everyone in between. The chat spans the 80's, UT parties, archeology and everything in between. 

 

Kimberly Patton-Bragg, or KPB to most, is a creative and lively force in the cocktail scene. From days in New York acting, to a pursuit for the silver screen, her life has been anything but boring. KPB is an aspiring writer and Tiki fanatic who shares delicious drams in New Orleans. What does this incredible journey and life look like on the page however? We chat Duran Duran, Ted Bundy, Rum, and more...

New York hospitality veteran Ms Franky Marshall is a culmination of art, language, and culture. An aspirational musician and teacher, Franky became acclimated to traveling at a very early age. This curiosity about the world and languages has driven her to all corners of the globe. As an influential female force in the New York cocktails scene, her career now takes a turn into the wonderful field of French Aperitif wines. The beautiful category known as Pineau des Charentes is filled with a brilliant snapshot of French terroir and elegant sweetness. We chat music, psychic tendencies, love, and more.

Born and raised in Mexico, Carlos Sada took a deep interest in learning everything possible to build a long-lasting lucrative career. After obtaining his masters degree in Australia, he sought out opportunities to apply his entrepreneurial spirit. As a brief stint in the hospitality intersected with agave spirits, Carlos was introduced to mezcal. Years later, his interest of mezcal and business have combined to market the fine mezcal of Marca Negra. We chat War on Drugs, Germany, San Martin, and more.