Alejandro Orendain understands numbers, travel, and agave. What started as a departure from the family business, quickly turned back into a return to the homeland. His roots in Tequila, and the inescapable pull back into the operations of Tequila Arette, bring us to his current chapter. A chapter during which, Alejandro educates many about the familial brand and ensures that his quality tequila can be easily available at everyone's fingertips. We chat about drumming, bar anecdotes, and a whole new brand aesthetic.

I had the lovely privilege to visit Hacienda Patrón and explore their various production sites and methods. Beyond the opulent quarters and beautiful hospitality, I found something more intriguing: the hidden complexity of their tequila. (Which is soon to be released in an entirely new 100 Proof, tahona-crushed, blanco tequila.) Towards the middle of my stay, I had the opportunity to interview Patrón's maestro Tequilero David Rodriguez. We chat about quality, history, learning, and his inherent scientific mind. Recorded live at Copper Bar at Hacienda Patrón.

Santos Serfaty, co-founder of Zancudo Mezcal, has traversed the world while working in many restaurants and bars. This transnational lifestyle has led to him learning many languages, and learning many lessons about life. Nomadic in ways, and tremendously ground in others, Santos has settled in Mexico City to finally find his home. Through his love of food and cocktails, Santos was introduced to mezcal and a direct path to Oaxaca. Afters years of blending, tasting, and exploring, Zancudo Mezcal was finally born. We chat drums, proofing, and design.

Alice Carroll is breaking waves in the whiskey business. Her many chapters as a brand ambassador for the world's most well known whiskies emboldened an ambition: an ambition to create her own brand. The delicious result is Foxes Bow Irish whiskey, an artist, flavor first concoction. But as Alice's passion project breathes live into the market, what kind of challenges and unexpected corners will have to be surmounted? We chat about fashion, the sound of our own voices, and a new 40% missing campaign: a new bottling for International Women's Month that begs the question "where is the representation for Women in this vast whiskey industry?"

Austin's Glenn Boiles is seemingly around every corner waiting to freshen your drink. He is at every event with a smile, warm glow, and the finest spirits from across the globe care of The Backbar Project. From Texas, to PDX, back to ATX, Glenn has acquired massive knowledge and experience in the hospitality industry; often as the result of flipping a coin. From Park Cognac to Estancia Raicilla, the various marks in the Back Bar project reflect different places, different traditions. Much like Glenn, they express the beauty this world has to offer. We chat fatherhood, argument styles, and the perfect boilermaker.

Cesar Garcia grew up in mezcal country. He was surrounded by the culture, the land, and the drink itself. However, the realities of alcohol consumption sometimes eclipse the romanticized category. After decades in corporate life, Cesar experienced a life changing event that forever changed the trajectory of his life and coincidentally brought him back to the world of Mezcal. The resulting project Puntiagudo Spirits, spotlights various regions of Mexico and brings Cesar back to the land. We chat diagrams, family, childhood, and more.

Cristina Allen co-founder of Volans Tequila learned that the craft and beauty of tequila is always attainable but only with the right processes in place. Cristina studied music production and has always had a knack for creativity. Seeing the dawn of the digital era sunset on those bygone days of analog, perhaps Volans tequila is the bridge between the past and the future. A truly analog spirit. We sit and chat on a windy Sunday afternoon to discuss Alice In Chains, making sure younger generations listen to proper music, and more.

Montagave's co-founder John Melvin has delved in finances, drumming, winemaking, and now fatherhood. His brand, Montagave Tequila , is a promise ring to his French wife and their love of all things flavor. This beautiful French meets Jalisco project produced at Cascahuin was just the first step. Now, John brings one of the most lauded tasting events, Good Juice, to Austin Texas on November 8 (2025). What's in store for attendees and how does John's distinct version of hospitality enhance the experience? We chat art, family meal, jam bands, and more.

Austin's Sebas Cajas has had an interesting journey through the jungle, basketball courts, and mezcalerias of Ecuador. After a fateful gap in gigs, and motherly advice, he left Quito to start a new chapter in Austin. Here he has found love, friends, and most recently of all a deeper love of agave. After many years working behind the global spirits specialty restaurant/bar Veracruz, Sebas now takes on his biggest challenge yet with La Mezca, an intimate mecaleria style cocktail bar with lovely ambience and intimacy. We chat NBA GOAT, Nike's, feeling part of a community, and more.

Diana Pinzón has a lust for life, nature, exploration, and protecting natural resources. Her forrest studies led her to Puebla, where the beginnings of Zinacantan Mezcal were born. Now years later and at the helm of Mezcal truth-telling, Diana, via Raices Imports, brings these beautiful spirits into Texas. We talk about bats, dancing, travel, and more.

Naomi Michial Ayala has achieved profound things in the hospitality industry and somehow has never been thrown into the spotlight. With almost 20 years in the business, Naomi has bartended, educated, led the Dallas USBG, and continues to be a consummate professional and role model to others. Her latest chapter with CVH Spirits, brings her back to the world of Scotch whisky and with more horsepower than ever. We chat health, gardening, performative questions, and more.

Aidan Marengo is a staple in the San Francisco hospitality scene. His reputation as a nice guy has opened countless doors for his career. And, one fateful evening in Oaxaca caused a new and exciting door to open. Aidan has made the move from SF to Oaxaca to lend a hand for the team at Quiote Mezcaleria Looking for love in all the right places, we chat about rom coms, music, humor and more.

Katie Black has distilled, fermented, bartended, event coordinated, traveled Europe, and so much more. It's hard to guess where she'll turn up next, but one thing is clear: her love of people and hospitality will keep guiding her. Her curiosity drives her, and with every move she practices the art of "intention". And as we post this chat today, she announces the next big chapter of her career and a move to Houston. We chat dating, produce, sharing, and more.

Almost 10 years into this podcasting journey, new interview opportunities and some legends finally make it to the mic. As part of Dia de Los Muertos last year, I had the privilege to sit down and chat with Fortaleza founder Guillermo Sauza. With such a successful career inside and outside of Tequila, where does he find solace in these later chapters of his life? We sip Fortaleza, chat life, and prepared for a big party in the cave.

Deeply lauded writer Ted Genoways has been a philosopher and storyteller for almost his whole life. His journalistic endeavors have led to authoring 6 books, earning countless awards, and now into an exposé on Mexico's most viable of spirits, Tequila. His new book Tequila Wars examines the founding families of this industry and sheds light on documents/events that have previously been lost in history. We chat peril, dinner time stories, and more.

James Douglas III moved around a bit as a child. The new environments, new social circles have a massive impact on who you become. Now, after years of hospitality, James is adapting yet again as he takes on an incredibly visible role with Ilegal Mezcal in Texas. His love of movies, people, and helping others is on full display in his very podcast chat. We chat 70's movies, close family, and finding out who you are when you're the only one.

Almost 10 years, we first sat down with Ricardo Pico as his journey in Sotol was just beginning. Now, so many achievements and projects later, what does Ricardo Pico reflect on in this new world of Sotol awareness. One of the only guests to appear on the show twice, Ricardo shares his tales of Don Lalo, the creation of Nocheluna Sotol, and what success looks like.

Meghan Webb has been a staple in hospitality industry for over a decade. Her travels and lust for life have taken her across the world, where she always shares her warmth and knowledge. This journey has recently brought things full circle with her return to Austin, TX. But this time, she is leading the charge for Lustau Sherry in the huge market of Texas. We chat architecture, flying, Palo Cortado, and more.

Anthony Wills is the founder and creator of Kilchoman Single Malt Scotch Whisky, the first new distillery to be built on Islay since 1908. His previous career in wine sales led him to delve into independent whisky bottling ventures. And with deep roots to Islay through his wife's family, the grand idea to open a new distillery actualized in 2005. The unique profile of Kilchoman is textured, rich, and elegant. And even more unique is their Islay Barley bottling, in which all of the barley is grown on their farm at the distillery. We chat fear of failing, tinkering, Sherry, and more.

Luis Del Pozo exudes acceptance, curiosity, and hospitality. He cut his teeth in the hospitality industry of California where he honed his aesthetic and built a very supportive following on Instagram. Now, after starting a family and making Austin his new home, Luis represents the beautiful spirits of Lost Explorer. Whether dawning a stylish hat or semi-full copita, Luis is a master of his craft. We chat Puebla, aesthetic, being kind, and more.

Jorge Caldera has remained behind the scenes as Sotol has seen a rise in availability and prominence in the agave market. (although Sotol itself is not agave). Yet, his continued efforts in the market, previously with Clande Sotol, and now with astonishing spirits of Sotol Parejo, have largely gone unnoticed....until now. Jorge was born and raised in Chihuahua. His love and dedication to his state drove his curiosity to explore the world of Sotol and Lechuguilla. After a decision to leave finance, in favor of starting his own projects with his own partners, Jorge ventured into the world of Sotol. We chat failed rock star dreams, pivotal life moments, the beauty of the desert, and more.

Luis Loya grew up on cattle ranch in Chihuahua Mexico. His rebellious nature, and gift for drawing transformed into an insatiable need to explore later in life. He is the purveyor of some of the finest distillates in the world, and more specifically Mexico, with his brand La Mata Spirits. With beautiful spirits from Durango, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and more, Luis illuminates the undiscovered processes found in more distant areas of Mexico. The rare and coveted bottles contain some the most unique and compelling spirits found anywhere in the world. We talk about architecture, skateboarding, passion, and more.

Originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Houston's Daniela Taylan is at the top of the brand ambassador game. Whether it's serving mezcal at La Niña Blanca, sharing and educating for Tequila Fortaleza, or tapping into her botanical roots for Condesa Gin, Dani is truly working hard. She's always happy to offer a pour, share her experiences, and dedicate time to the projects/people that matter. But how does an ex set designing Tennis champ seamlessly become one of the brightest minds in the hospitality industry? We chat horror movies, asking the right questions, work-life balance, and Fortaleza Winter Blend 2024.

Teacher, educator, whiskey ambassador, podcaster, and more... It makes one wonder what Milam and Greene's Blair Ault does NOT do. Houston's Blair Ault is a renaissance woman. She writes, teaches, hosts, and travels the United States extolling the virtues of Texas' Milam and Greene whiskey. Blair is an erudite Star Trek fan that encourages creativity in others. With a massive lust for life, and passion for whiskey, what motivates Blair to keep expanding her knowledge? The answer is: a whole lot. We chat loud noises, audio challenges, writing from the heart, and more.

Eduardo "Lalo" González has a rich history steeped in Tequila. His family created the brand Don Julio and revolutionized the use of whiskey casks to elevate premium categories of Tequila. Lalo Tequila found its roots in Austin, TX and fully took the industry by storm just as the world started to open up again. With a dedication to clarity and the purity of agave Tequilana, Lalo Tequila embraces the beauty of the soil and materials. And to even further heighten the dedication to flavor and expressiveness, Lalo has just released a new high proof Blanco at 54% abv. The balance, intensity, and softness is impressive. The limited edition bottling is available now. Lalo and I talk about ideating, expectations, using fancy pens, and more.